Following the government announcement yesterday with the update to the current COVID-19 guidelines, we have highlighted the key headlines below:

• Rate of Infection is increasing rapidly at the same trajectory as France
• This rate of infection is now UK wide and not isolated to particular areas
• 20-29 age group has the most significant rate of infection, followed by 30-39 age group
• 17-18 yr olds and 19-21 yr olds are showing a steep rise in cases and positive tests
• Government stated ‘if we act quickly we can see the rate of infection come down quickly’ as shown in Belgium
• 8 deaths today, with 1.2m tests carried out per week
• Testing is being increased

• Key messages on how to deal with transmission –  new Gov slogan ‘Hands – Face – Space’;
  • Wash hands for 20 secs as before
  • Wear a face covering if in enclosed space or with people we have not met before
  • Maintain social distance (2m or 1m + mitigation)
• Simplifying rules to make them easier to understand
• Only get an NHS Test if you have the following symptoms;
  • A high temperature / fever
  • A persistent cough
  • Loss of taste or small
• Do not book a test if you do not have symptoms
• Limit social contact and social interactions indoors and outdoors
• Social gatherings above 6 people are banned, both indoors and outdoors
  • This includes in people’s homes, pubs, restaurants etc
  • This replaces the previous limit of meeting up to 30 people outdoors or 2 households
• Fines will be applied against businesses that are not COVID-19 Secure
• Enforcement to be increased with COVID-19 Marshalls to monitor social distancing
• Hospitality sector to be mandated to take customer details

• The exemptions are;
  • If you are already in a household bubble of more than 6 people
  • COVID-19 Secure Venues can still welcome more than 6 people, but individual groups cannot exceed 6 people
  • Education settings
  • Workplaces –  providing they are COVID-19 Secure

• Gov’ pursuing option of ‘mass testing’, which will increase testing with results in 20-90 mins
• Could lead to reduced social distancing and lead to businesses being able to open further
• Unclear how long restrictions will be in place for –  depends on rate of infection.