Coronavirus is the biggest challenge we have faced as a country in decades, and I appreciate that it has caused personal worry, inconvenience and significant economic disruption. That is why the government introduced an unprecedented package of measures to support businesses and incomes.
This page brings together the most recent guidance, help and advice. Much of this information is also available on the government’s main Coronavirus website, here. You can sign up to receive email alerts by following this link and scrolling to the bottom of the page.
Please don’t hesitate to contact me at dominic.raab.mp@parliament.uk, or on 020 7219 7069 if you need further assistance or advice in accessing the support available.
Medical information
It’s important to be able to recognise the symptoms of Coronavirus and to know what you should do if you, or someone you live with, has these symptoms. The latest medical advice and information is available on the NHS website here.
Anyone with symptoms of Coronavirus can request a test. More information about this, and how to request a test, is available on the NHS website here. If you test positive for Coronavirus, you will be contacted by the NHS Test and Trace service and be asked where you have been recently and who you have been in close contact with. More information is available here.
If you are contacted by the NHS Test and Trace service and told that you have been in contact with someone who has Coronavirus, you must stay at home (self-isolate) for 14 days from the day you were last in contact with the person. This is because it can take up to 14 days for symptoms to appear. More information is available here.
Transition from lockdown
On 11 May, the government published a cautious roadmap to easing the lockdown restrictions in a safe and measured way, subject to successfully controlling the virus and being able to monitor and react to its spread. By following this roadmap we have been able to transition out of lockdown, support businesses and jobs, while continuing to suppress the virus.
On 17 July, the government published an additional chapter to this roadmap, setting out the next stages of our plan. You can read both the roadmap and the additional chapter here.
Targeted local action
Now we know more about the virus, we can control it through targeted local action if that proves necessary. Local authorities in England have new powers in their areas – to close specific premises, shut public outdoor spaces, and cancel events. These powers will enable local authorities to act more quickly in response to outbreaks, where speed is paramount.
Action by local councils may not always be sufficient. So, where justified by the evidence, ministers can close particular sectors or types of premises in an area, introduce local “stay at home” orders, prevent people entering or leaving defined areas, reduce the maximum size of gatherings beyond national rules, or restrict transport systems serving local areas.
These focussed and targeted powers are useful in enabling us to control any localised increases in COVID, without resorting to a nationwide lockdown.
Re-opening businesses
By following the roadmap we set out on 11 May, we have re-opened shops, restaurants, bars and pubs, accommodation, visitor attractions, hairdressers, beauticians and other close contact services, and leisure businesses and facilities. Gyms and other indoor sports facilities have been able to open since 25 July.
Advice for specific sectors – including how to make places and services COVID-19 Secure – can be found on the government’s Coronavirus website.
Getting back to work
Since 1 August, employers have more discretion to decide whether they need more staff back at work. Working from home is still an important option. But, workplaces can also be made safe by following COVID-19 Secure guidelines. More information on these guidelines can be found here.
Re-opening schools
On 1 June, we also began to gradually increase the numbers of children and young people attending schools and colleges. In September, schools, nurseries and colleges will open for all children and young people on a full-time basis, with protective measures in place. The latest information and guidance for schools and parents can be found here.
Social distancing – advice
The latest information on social distancing – including how many people you can see, and where – is available here.
It is compulsory to wear a face covering in shops, supermarkets, banks and other locations, as well as on public transport. From 8 August, it will be compulsory to wear face coverings in museums, cinemas, places of worship and public libraries. More information can be found here.
Support for businesses, employees and the self-employed
As part of the government’s unprecedented measures to support the economy, there are a range of schemes available to support businesses and self-employed people through the disruption.
This support includes tax deferrals, grants, loan schemes and business rates relief. Businesses have also been able to claim grants to cover their employees’ wages if they have been furloughed, and can now do so with more flexibility – meaning that employees can be brought back to work for any amount of time, and any work pattern. Claims under the furlough scheme are now restricted to employees who had already been furloughed before 1 July. More information on the support available – including non-financial support like webinars – can be found here.
There’s also an online tool to identify what financial support you or your business may be eligible for. This can be found here.
Some grant schemes and the business rates relief package are being administered by local councils. Elmbridge Borough Council has made information on grant schemes available here, and on business rates reliefs here and here.
The government’s Plan for Jobs
On 8 July, the Chancellor set out the government’s Plan for Jobs – a package of measures to support jobs in every part of the country, give businesses the confidence to retain and hire, and provide people with the tools they need to get better jobs.
This plan included a new Job Retention Bonus, to help firms keep furloughed workers. UK employers will receive a one-off bonus of £1,000 for each furloughed employee still employed as of 31 January next year. It also contained other important measures to create and protect jobs. You can read more about the plan here.
Support for individuals
I know that some people have faced financial difficulties as a result of Coronavirus, or the economic disruption it has caused.
To support those facing difficulties, the government introduced a three-month mortgage holiday for those in difficultly due to Coronavirus. If you have already been benefitting from this, you will have the option to extend the mortgage holiday for a further three months if you need to. If you have not yet applied for a mortgage holiday, you have until 31 October to do so.
The government also introduced a ban on evictions – subsequently extended until 23 August – boosted Universal Credit and Working Tax Credit by £1,000 per year, and made it quicker and easier to access benefits.
If you are struggling financially, more help and advice can be found under the “work and financial support” section of the government’s Coronavirus website. Advice for landlords and tenants is available under the “housing and accommodation” section.
There’s also an online tool to find out what help you can get if you’re struggling – whether with paying bills, getting food or having somewhere to live. This can be found here.
Local support and information
Elmbridge Borough Council – There is useful information and advice on Elmbridge Borough Council’s Coronavirus page. Residents can sign up to email updates through this page.
Elmbridge Borough Council can be reached via their switchboard at 01372 474474.
Surrey County Council – Information on how Coronavirus has impacted county-wide services is available here.
Surrey County Council’s Community Helpline number is 0300 200 1008. Deaf and hearing-impaired residents can text 0786 0053 465.
If you need help with things like picking up shopping or prescriptions, you can also contact Central Surrey Voluntary Action on 01372 722911.