Covid-19 Update

20th December 2020

 

Dear Member

COVID-19 UPDATE

 

You will I am sure have woken up this morning trying to make sense of the whirlwind of announcements yesterday from the various UK government about Christmas arrangements and new Tier 4/Level 4 lockdowns.  For members’ businesses, things remain much the same in England and Wales, but in Scotland a new national lockdown from Boxing Day is another hammer blow.

Here is a summary of the changes as they affect businesses.

England – All previous Tier 3 areas in the South and South East will move to a new Tier 4, which is essentially a lockdown.  Non-essential retail will, in addition to all the businesses already closed, have to close.  This came into effect at Midnight last night.  Here is a reminder of the affected areas:

  • Kent, Buckinghamshire, Berkshire, Surrey (excluding Waverley), Gosport, Havant, Portsmouth, Rother and Hastings.
  • London (all 32 boroughs and the City of London)
  • East of England (Bedford, Central Bedford, Milton Keynes, Luton, Peterborough, Hertfordshire, Essex (excluding Colchester, Uttlesford and Tendring).

Wales – The third national lockdown in Wales was brought forward to begin at midnight last night.  All businesses including non-essential retail, must close.  It will last for an initial three weeks.

Scotland – Level 4 restrictions, essentially a national lockdown will begin on Boxing Day for three weeks for the whole country save a few of the islands.  Nicola Sturgeon will be providing an update at 12.15 tomorrow, Monday.  As in Wales the restrictions will apply for an initial three weeks and all businesses including non-essential retail must close.  The border between England and Scotland will be closed.

 

Kind regards,

John