Coronavirus (COVID-19)
Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme up and running
Page summary
The Government’s Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme went live today, with businesses able to claim up to £2,500 a month towards staff wages.
Change made
First published.
Time updated
9:08am, 20 April 2020
Billion pound support package for innovative firms hit by coronavirus
Page summary
UK businesses driving innovation and development will be helped through the coronavirus outbreak with a £1.25 billion government support package, the Chancellor announced today.
Change made
First published.
Time updated
9:50am, 20 April 2020
Testing capacity increases as second Lighthouse Lab becomes fully operational
Page summary
The second mega-lab at Alderley Park in Cheshire has begun to test thousands of patient samples a day for coronavirus.
Change made
First published.
Time updated
10:05am, 20 April 2020
Page summary
Directions given to the National Health Service Commissioning Board by the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care.
Change made
First published.
Time updated
2:59pm, 20 April 2020
The Exercise of Commissioning Functions by the NHS Commissioning Board (Coronavirus) Directions 2020
Page summary
Directions given to the National Health Service Commissioning Board.
Change made
Updated with new document: The Exercise of Commissioning Functions by the National Health Service Commissioning Board (Coronavirus) (No. 2) Directions 2020.
Time updated
2:59pm, 20 April 2020
Specification for ventilators to be used in UK hospitals during the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak
Page summary
This guidance sets out the clinical requirements based on the consensus of what is ‘minimally acceptable’ performance in the opinion of the anaesthesia and intensive care medicine professionals and medical device regulators.
Change made
Added a HTML version of the specification
Time updated
3:06pm, 20 April 2020
COVID-19: guidance for care of the deceased
Page summary
Advice primarily designed to assist people required to manage bodies of deceased persons infected with coronavirus (COVID-19).
Change made
Added translated versions of guidance.
Time updated
3:21pm, 20 April 2020
Coronavirus (COVID-19): reducing burdens on educational and care settings
Page summary
Guidance on which data collections, services or requests will be cancelled, paused or will continue in the 2019 to 2020 academic year.
Change made
First published.
Time updated
4:13pm, 20 April 2020
Coronavirus (COVID-19): guidance for schools and other educational settings
Page summary
Guidance and advice about coronavirus (COVID-19) in educational settings for staff, parents and carers, pupils and students.
Change made
Added ‘Coronavirus (COVID-19): reducing burdens on educational and care settings’ to finance and administration.
Time updated
4:17pm, 20 April 2020
Financial support for businesses during coronavirus (COVID-19)
Page summary
Find out what financial support you can get for your business.
Change made
Added details of the Future Fund and business support finder.
Time updated
4:26pm, 20 April 2020
Slides and datasets to accompany coronavirus press conference: 20 April 2020
Page summary
Press conference slides and datasets used by Professor Angela McLean, Deputy Chief Scientific Adviser.
Change made
First published.
Time updated
5:10pm, 20 April 2020
Coronavirus (COVID-19): admission and care of people in care homes
Page summary
How to protect care home residents and staff during the coronavirus outbreak.
Change made
Added a note to say that the guidance is being reviewed following publication of the COVID-19 adult social care action plan.
Time updated
5:19pm, 20 April 2020
Chancellor delivers daily coronavirus update (20 April 2020)
Page summary
Chancellor Rishi Sunak speaks at press conference with Professor Angela McLean, Deputy Chief Scientific Adviser and Yvonne Doyle, Medical Director at Public Health England.
Change made
First published.
Time updated
5:26pm, 20 April 2020
Coronavirus (COVID-19): free school meals guidance
Page summary
Guidance for schools and local authorities on free school meals arrangements during the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak.
Change made
Updated information about school food contracts and free school meal eligibility. Added guidance and a sample application form on the temporary extension of free school meals eligibility to NRPF groups.
Time updated
5:49pm, 20 April 2020
Government launches new coronavirus business support finder tool
Page summary
A new ‘support finder’ tool will help businesses and self-employed people across the UK to quickly and easily determine what financial support is available to them during the coronavirus pandemic.
Change made
First published.
Time updated
6:53pm, 20 April 2020
Coronavirus (COVID-19): hospital discharge service requirements
Page summary
Sets out how health and care systems and providers should change their discharging arrangements and the provision of community support during the coronavirus situation.
Change made
Added a note to say that the guidance is being reviewed following publication of the COVID-19 adult social care action plan.
Time updated
7:08pm, 20 April 2020
Page summary
The letter thanks councils again for their efforts responding to the coronavirus pandemic and provides further details on the support the government is providing.
Change made
First published.
Time updated
9:19pm, 20 April 2020
Grant funding provided to businesses by local authorities in England
Page summary
We have published data on the amount of money distributed to SMEs by every local authority in England as part of the 2 grant schemes launched to help businesses deal with coronavirus.
Change made
First published.
Time updated
9:26pm, 20 April 2020
UK set to bring home hundreds more British travellers from across the Philippines
Page summary
Another charter flight from the Philippines will bring home around 200 more British nationals, including from remote areas, it has been announced today.
Change made
First published.
Time updated
7:38am, 21 April 2020