Guidance Coronavirus (COVID-19): safer transport guidance for operators
Social distancing and face coverings
Passengers and people working on the transport network should keep their
distance from people outside their household, recognising that this will not
always be possible. The risk of infection increases the closer you are to
another person with the virus and the amount of time you spend in close
contact. You are very unlikely to be infected from walking past another
person. Public Health England (PHE) recommends trying to keep 2 metres away
from people, where
possible, as a precaution. However, this is not a rule and the
science is complex. The key thing is to not be too close to people for more
than a short amount of time, as much as you can.
Employers should advise staff and passengers on ways of working to keep their
distance from other people as much as possible. There are situations where
this may not be possible, for example when boarding or alighting, during
security checks, on busier services, busier times of day, when walking through
interchanges and when undertaking maintenance work that requires two people
for the task. Where social distancing is not possible try to minimise the time
spent within 2 metres of others, and keep groups of workers in teams that are
as small as possible (“cohorting”). For example, keeping maintenance crews
working together, rather than mixing crew members on different shifts.
Organisations could consider:

Creating and agreeing a single, clear approach to social distancing for all workers and passengers.

Agreeing and maintaining clear rules for workers and passengers that meet social distancing guidelines, for example:

Clear rules for interacting with passengers, receiving goods, and testing equipment.
Support individual workers who choose to use face coverings in situations where social distancing is not possible.

Organising the workspace and how people work in a single space to follow social distancing guidelines, such as:

Separating workspaces 2 metres apart from one another, where possible.

Use of screens or barriers.
Eliminating face-to-face seating, for example, shift to ‘bench’ style.
Repositioning workspaces to allow for optimal ventilation.
Reducing occupancy of group interaction spaces, including spaces shared with other organisations.
Adjustments for those with specific needs or protected characteristics, for example disabled people, the elderly and pregnant women. Consider groups of people who process information differently or who may not be able to distance from others.

Workplaces should not encourage the precautionary use of extra personal
protective equipment (PPE) to protect against coronavirus outside of clinical
settings or when responding to a suspected or confirmed case.
Where you are already using PPE in your work activity to protect against non-
COVID-19 risks, you should continue to do so. When managing the risk of
COVID-19, additional PPE beyond what you usually wear is not beneficial. This
is because COVID-19 is a different type of risk to the risks you normally face
in a workplace, and needs to be managed through social distancing, hygiene and
fixed teams or partnering, not through the use of PPE.
There are some circumstances when wearing a face covering may be marginally
beneficial as a precautionary measure. The evidence suggests that wearing a
face covering does not protect you, but it may protect others if you are
infected but have not yet developed symptoms. This is most relevant for short
periods indoors in crowded areas.
Government guidance is for passengers, if they can, to wear a face covering
if they need to use public transport.
A face covering is not the same as the surgical masks or respirators used by
healthcare and other workers as part of personal protective equipment. These
should continue to be reserved for those who need them to protect against
risks in their workplace, such as health and care workers, and those in
industrial settings, like those exposed to dust hazards.
Wearing a face covering is optional and is not required by the law. If workers
choose to wear one, it is important to use face coverings properly and wash
hands before putting them on and taking them off. Use the guidance on face
coverings.
If workers choose to use face coverings, you should support them in using face
coverings safely. For example:

Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water for 20 seconds or use hand sanitiser before putting a face covering on, and after removing it.
When wearing a face covering, avoid touching your face or face covering, as you could contaminate them with germs from your hands.
Change your face covering if it becomes damp or if you’ve touched it.
Continue to wash your hands regularly.
Change and wash your face covering daily.
If the material is washable, wash in line with manufacturer’s instructions. If it’s not washable, dispose of it in your usual waste.
Practise social distancing wherever possible.

[PHE]: Public Health England
  [PPE]: personal protective equipment


Guidance Coronavirus (COVID-19): safer transport guidance for operators
Who should be at work
Protecting people who are at higher risk

Consider the guidance on clinically extremely vulnerable and clinically vulnerable people at work.
Employers should offer support to their workers, particularly around wellbeing and mental health.

Organisations could consider:

Re-deploying clinically vulnerable people into roles where they can work from home.
If clinically vulnerable individuals cannot work from home, they and their employer should consider the level of risk, both on their journey to work and in line with the wider risk assessment of their working situation, as set out in the guidance for employers.
If re-deployment would mean not having enough people on- site to run the operations, move vulnerable workers into lower risk activities where they have the highest chance of remaining 2 metres away from others, where possible.
Providing support for workers around mental health and wellbeing. This could include guidance or telephone support for example.


Guidance Coronavirus (COVID-19): safer transport guidance for operators
Communications and training
Transport operators should keep workers and passengers informed of the latest
coronavirus related safety procedures. Organisations should share the
government’s most recent guidance to all workers and organise training
sessions on how to work or interact safely with colleagues and the public.
Operators and businesses should carefully consider the best ways to share
advice on how to travel safely and social distancing guidelines to passengers.
For workers, organisations could consider:

Engaging with workers through unions, work councils and other workers’ bodies to quickly explain and agree any changes in working arrangements.
Let workers know in advance if they are required to travel or not, ensuring where possible workers continue to work at home.
Clear and regular communication to improve understanding and consistency of how ways of working are applied.
Communication and training materials on new procedures. Some of these may need to be delivered online to maintain social distancing between workers.
Using posters and announcements to remind workers to wash their hands often and follow general hygiene advice.
Awareness and focus on the importance of mental health at times of uncertainty.
The use of visual and digital communications (for example whiteboards, signs, websites, intranets, emails) to explain changes to schedules, breakdowns, materials shortages without the need for face-to-face communications.

For passengers and travellers, organisations could consider:

Communicating with passengers through social media and websites to help passengers prepare for their journeys and what to expect.
Providing passengers with information on timetables, expected journey times, expected capacity (accounting for social distancing), delays and changes to normal routes.
Using posters and announcements to remind travellers and passengers to wash their hands often and follow general hygiene advice.
Promoting online ticket purchases.
Signs and announcements to help passengers understand what they need to do to travel safely and maintain social distancing when entering or exiting a site or vehicle, in consultation with other operators and local authorities for public highways and thoroughfares.
Information on provision and any changes to assistance services for those with protected characteristics, for example disabled people, the elderly and pregnant women, and how they can continue to access transport in a safe way.
The use of simple, clear and accessible messaging to explain guidelines using images and clear language, with consideration of groups whose first language may not be English or where alternative formats may be required.
Providing clear information to the public on how this guidance is being implemented.


Guidance Coronavirus (COVID-19): safer transport guidance for operators
Queues and protecting passenger flows
Communications

Displaying messages, signs and making announcements to discourage non-essential trips and that where possible people should work from home.
Promoting other active travel modes (for example walking, cycling) or other demand management techniques.
Communicating with passengers through social media and websites to help passengers prepare for their journeys and know what to expect.


Guidance Coronavirus (COVID-19): safer transport guidance for operators
Queues and protecting passenger flows
Planning

Anyone that does need to travel to work can use public transport if they need to, but they should be very strongly encouraged to use other forms of transport where possible.
Undertaking joint planning with other transport organisations at transport interchanges to ensure aligned approaches.
Identifying areas where there is increased risk of congestion or crowding due to reduced capacity because of social distancing requirements and identifying mitigations with other operators and local authorities. Following guidance on public places and considering arrangements that other shops and business may need to implement for their circumstances and how these plans interact.
Identifying in advance areas where queues may occur. In these and surrounding areas, consider physical infrastructure, passenger signage, road safety signage, communications and other controls to achieve safe queuing. For example, operators could introduce floor markings, signs and one-way flow at entry and exit points.
Providing guidance for workers assisting people with protected characteristics, for example disabled people, the elderly and pregnant women.
For security searches, PHE recommends first asking passengers if they have any recognised symptoms of coronavirus. PHE recommend that staff consider wearing gloves for each search and wash their hands as frequently as possible.

*[PHE]: Public Health England


Guidance Coronavirus (COVID-19): safer travel guidance for passengers
Public transport
On your journey
Some routes may be busier than usual due to social distancing measures or
changes to previous timetables or schedules. Keep your distance from people
outside your household. Public Health England recommends keeping a distance
of 2 metres, where
possible. The key thing is
to not be too close to other people for more than a short amount of time, as
much as you can.
The risk of infection increases the closer you are to another person with the
virus and the amount of time you spend in close contact: you are very unlikely
to be infected from just walking past another person.
There may be situations where you can’t keep a suitable distance from people,
for example when boarding or alighting, on busier services, at busier times of
day and when walking through interchanges. In these cases you should avoid
physical contact, try to face away from other people, and keep the time you
spend near others as short as possible. If you can, wear a face covering on
public transport. You should be prepared to remove your face covering if asked
to do so by police officers and police staff for the purposes of
identification.
Be aware of the surfaces you touch. Be careful not to touch your face. Cover
your mouth and nose with a tissue or your elbow when coughing or sneezing.
Treat transport staff with respect and follow instructions from your transport
operator. This may include:

notices about which seats to use or how to queue
additional screens, barriers or floor markings
requests to board through different doors or to move to less busy areas

Help keep yourself, other passengers and transport staff safe:

wait for passengers to get off first before you board
ensure you maintain social distancing, where possible, including at busy entrances, exits, under canopies, bus stops, platforms or outside of stations
be prepared to queue or take a different entrance or exit at stations
wait for the next service if you cannot safely keep your distance on board a train, bus or coach
respect other people’s space while travelling
avoid consuming food and drink on public transport, where possible
be aware of pregnant, older and disabled people who may require a seat or extra space
be aware that some individuals may have hidden disabilities


Guidance Coronavirus (COVID-19): safer travel guidance for passengers
Is your journey necessary?
To help keep yourself and your fellow passengers safe, you should not travel
if you:

are experiencing any coronavirus symptoms
are self-isolating as a result of coronavirus symptoms or sharing a household with somebody with symptoms
are clinically extremely vulnerable

If you have any symptoms of
coronavirus you should self-isolate at home and arrange to
have a test to see if you have
COVID-19.
Before you travel, consider if your journey is necessary and if you can, stay
local. Try to reduce your travel. This will help keep the transport network
running and allow people who need to make essential journeys to travel. You
can reduce your travel by:

working from home where possible
shopping less frequently and shopping locally


Guidance Coronavirus (COVID-19): safer travel guidance for passengers
Taxis and private hire vehicles
At taxi ranks try to keep your distance from people outside your household,
where possible. Public Health England recommends keeping a 2 metre distance
from others, where
possible.
Taxi and private hire vehicle (for example minicab) operators are likely to
have put in place new measures to help with social distancing. When traveling
in taxis or private hire vehicles follow the advice of the driver. For
example, you may be asked to sit in the back left hand seat if travelling
alone. You may want to check with your taxi operator before travelling if they
have put any additional measures in place.
If you need to be near other people you should avoid physical contact, try to
face away from other people, and keep the time you spend near other people as
short as possible. Be aware of the surfaces you or others touch.
There are some circumstances when wearing a face covering may be marginally
beneficial as a precautionary measure. The evidence suggests that wearing a
face covering does not protect you, but it may protect others if you are
infected but have not yet developed symptoms. This is most relevant for short
periods indoors in crowded areas.
If you can, wear a face covering in an enclosed space where social distancing
isn’t possible and where you will come into contact with people you do not
normally meet. You should be prepared to remove your face covering if asked to
do so by police officers and police staff for the purposes of identification.
A face covering is not the same as the surgical masks or respirators used by
healthcare and other workers as part of personal protective equipment. These
should continue to be reserved for those who need them to protect against
risks in their workplace, such as health and care workers, and those in
industrial settings, like those exposed to dust hazards.
Wearing a face covering is optional and is not required by the law. If you
choose to wear one, it is important to use face coverings
properly and wash your
hands before putting them on and after taking them off.
When finishing your journey, we recommend you:

follow local guidance
wash your hands for at least 20 seconds or sanitise your hands as soon as possible


Guidance Coronavirus (COVID-19): safer travel guidance for passengers
Checklists for safer travel
Plan your journey

can I walk or cycle to my destination?
have I checked the latest travel advice from my transport operator?
have I booked my travel ticket online, bought a pass or checked if contactless payment is possible?
have I planned my journey to minimise crowded areas and allow for delays?
am I taking the most direct route to my destination?

What to take with you

a plan for my journey
contactless payment card or pass
phone (if needed for travel updates, tickets, contactless payments)
tickets
hand sanitiser
essential medicines
tissues
a face covering, if required


Guidance Coronavirus (COVID-19): safer travel guidance for passengers
Walking and cycling
Walking and cycling will reduce
pressure on the public transport system and the road network. Consider walking
and cycling if you can. Local cycling schemes can be used. Your local council
can help you plan your journey by providing maps showing dedicated paths and
routes.
Where possible, try to maintain social
distancing when you walk or
cycle, for example when approaching or passing other pedestrians or waiting at
crossings and traffic lights.
Where using bikes (private, docked or dockless) wash your hands for at least
20 seconds or sanitise your hands before and after cycling.
Consider making a list of items to take with you.


Guidance Coronavirus (COVID-19): safer travel guidance for passengers
Public transport
Seek assistance if you need it
If you require assistance when travelling and would normally contact your
transport operator ahead of time, continue to do so.
If any problems arise or you feel ill during your journey, speak to a member
of transport staff. In the case of an emergency, contact the emergency
services as you normally would.
If you need help, maintain a short distance from members of staff, where
possible. If this isn’t possible, you should try to avoid physical contact and
keep the time you spend near staff as short as possible.


Guidance Coronavirus (COVID-19): safer travel guidance for passengers
Aviation, ferries and maritime transport
On your journey
Some routes may be busier than usual due to social distancing measures or
changes to timetables and schedules.
You should try to keep a short distance from others not in your household,
where possible. Public Health England recommends keeping a 2 metre distance
from other people. There
may be situations where this is not possible. If you need to be near other
people, you should avoid physical contact, try to face away from others, and
keep the time you spend close to other people as short as possible.
Be aware of the surfaces you touch. Be careful not to touch your face. Cover
your mouth and nose with a tissue or your elbow when coughing or sneezing.
There are some circumstances when wearing a face covering may be marginally
beneficial as a precautionary measure. The evidence suggests that wearing a
face covering does not protect you, but it may protect others if you are
infected but have not yet developed symptoms. This is most relevant for short
periods indoors in crowded areas.
If you can, wear a face covering in an enclosed space where social distancing
isn’t possible and where you will come into contact with people you do not
normally meet. You should be prepared to remove your face covering if asked to
do so by police officers and police staff for the purposes of identification.
A face covering is not the same as the surgical masks or respirators used by
healthcare and other workers as part of personal protective equipment. These
should continue to be reserved for those who need them to protect against
risks in their workplace, such as health and care workers, and those in
industrial settings, like those exposed to dust hazards.
Wearing a face covering is optional and is not required by the law. If you
choose to wear one, it is important to use face coverings
properly and wash your
hands before putting them on and after taking them off.
Follow instructions from your transport operator. This may include:

notices about which seats to use or how to queue
additional screens, barriers or floor markings
requests to board through different doors or to move to less busy areas

Be considerate to your fellow passengers and to transport staff:

do not congregate near entrances or exits while waiting
be aware of pregnant, older, disabled people or people with prams who may require extra space or a seat during parts of their journey
be aware that some individuals may have hidden disabilities


Guidance Coronavirus (COVID-19): safer travel guidance for passengers
Private cars and other vehicles
Plan your journey
Plan your route, including any breaks, before setting out. Routes may be
different as local areas make changes to enable social distancing on pavements
and cycle routes.
If you normally share a vehicle with people from other households for
essential journeys, we recommend you find a different way to travel. For
example, consider walking, cycling or using your own vehicle if you can.
If you have to travel with people outside your household group, try to share
the transport with the same people each time and keep to small groups of
people at any one time.
There are some circumstances when wearing a face covering may be marginally
beneficial as a precautionary measure. The evidence suggests that wearing a
face covering does not protect you, but it may protect others if you are
infected but have not yet developed symptoms. This is most relevant for short
periods indoors in crowded areas.
If you can, wear a face covering in an enclosed space where social distancing
isn’t possible and where you will come into contact with people you do not
normally meet. You should be prepared to remove your face covering if asked to
do so by police officers and police staff for the purposes of identification.
A face covering is not the same as the surgical masks or respirators used by
healthcare and other workers as part of personal protective equipment. These
should continue to be reserved for those who need them to protect against
risks in their workplace, such as health and care workers, and those in
industrial settings, like those exposed to dust hazards.
Wearing a face covering is optional and is not required by the law. If you
choose to wear one, it is important to use face coverings
properly and wash your
hands before putting them on and after taking them off.
Consider making a list of items to take with you.
Check that your vehicle is safe and
roadworthy if you
haven’t used it for several weeks.


Guidance Coronavirus (COVID-19): safer travel guidance for passengers
Public transport
What to take with you
If you can, wear a face covering if you need to use public transport.
There are some circumstances when wearing a face covering may be marginally
beneficial as a precautionary measure. The evidence suggests that wearing a
face covering does not protect you, but it may protect others if you are
infected but have not yet developed symptoms. This is most relevant for short
periods indoors in crowded areas. You should be prepared to remove your face
covering if asked to do so by police officers and police staff for the
purposes of identification.
A face covering is not the same as the surgical masks or respirators used by
healthcare and other workers as part of personal protective equipment. These
should continue to be reserved for those who need them to protect against
risks in their workplace, such as health and care workers, and those in
industrial settings, like those exposed to dust hazards.
Wearing a face covering is optional and is not required by the law. If you
choose to wear one, it is important to use face coverings
properly and wash your
hands before putting them on and after taking them off.
Consider making a list of items to take with you and minimise the luggage you
take.


Guidance Coronavirus (COVID-19): safer travel guidance for passengers
Aviation, ferries and maritime transport
Completing your journey
When finishing your journey, we recommend you:

follow local guidance
wash your hands for at least 20 seconds or sanitise your hands as soon as possible


Guidance Coronavirus (COVID-19): safer travel guidance for passengers
Public transport
Children on public transport
Where travel is necessary, consider whether children could walk or cycle,
accompanied by a responsible adult or carer, where appropriate.
Social distancing applies to children as well as adults. Children should keep
their distance from others who are not in their household, where possible.
Public Health England recommends keeping a 2 metre distance from
others. If this isn’t
possible children should avoid physical contact, face away from others, and
keep the time spent near others as short as possible.

Staying alert and safe: social distancing guidance for young people

If you are the responsible adult or carer travelling with children, please
help them follow this guidance, wear face coverings, minimise the surfaces
they touch and maintain their distance from others, where possible.
Children under 2 years old are not recommended to wear face coverings.
Schools may have additional guidance in place for children on transport which
we recommend you follow.


Guidance Coronavirus (COVID-19): safer travel guidance for passengers
International travel
If travelling abroad is essential, make sure you check the latest Foreign and
Commonwealth Office (FCO) advice
and coronavirus essential international travel
guidance before travelling. Check your specific plans
with your airline, ferry, train operator or accommodation provider, and inform
your insurance provider.
At all points in your journey it is important that you follow social
distancing guidelines and keep a short distance from others where possible.
Public Health England recommends keeping a 2 metre distance from
others. Where this may
not be possible you should keep the time you spend near other people as short
as possible and avoid physical contact.
There are some circumstances when wearing a face covering may be marginally
beneficial as a precautionary measure. The evidence suggests that wearing a
face covering does not protect you, but it may protect others if you are
infected but have not yet developed symptoms. This is most relevant for short
periods indoors in crowded areas.
If you can, wear a face covering in an enclosed space where social distancing
isn’t possible and where you will come into contact with people you do not
normally meet. You should be prepared to remove your face covering if asked to
do so by police officers and police staff for the purposes of identification.
A face covering is not the same as the surgical masks or respirators used by
healthcare and other workers as part of personal protective equipment. These
should continue to be reserved for those who need them to protect against
risks in their workplace, such as health and care workers, and those in
industrial settings, like those exposed to dust hazards.
Wearing a face covering is optional and is not required by the law. If you
choose to wear one, it is important to use face coverings
properly and wash your
hands before putting them on and after taking them off.
You should review and follow any rules and government guidance set by your
destination country, and check public health advice when returning to the UK.
Your transport provider may put measures in place to help you follow the
guidance of the destination country.
When finishing your journey, we recommend you:

follow all local guidance
wash your hands for at least 20 seconds or sanitise your hands as soon as possible

*[UK]: United Kingdom


Guidance Coronavirus (COVID-19): safer travel guidance for passengers
Private cars and other vehicles
On your journey
If driving, you should anticipate more pedestrians and cyclists than usual,
especially at peak times of day. Allow other road users to maintain social
distance, where possible. For example, give cyclists space at traffic lights.
Public Health England recommends keeping a 2 metre distance from others,
where possible.
Limit the time you spend at garages, petrol stations and motorway services.
Try to keep your distance from other people and if possible pay by
contactless. Wash your hands for at least 20 seconds or sanitise your hands
when arriving and leaving.
Be aware of the surfaces you or others touch. If people from different
households use a vehicle (for example through a car share scheme), you should
clean it between journeys using gloves and standard cleaning products. Make
sure you clean door handles, steering wheel and other areas that people may
touch.
Where people from different households need to use a vehicle at the same time,
good ventilation (keeping the car windows open) and facing away from each
other may help to reduce the risk of transmission. Where possible, consider
seating arrangements to optimise distance between people in the vehicle.
If you are in close proximity to people outside your household, you should:

avoid physical contact
try to face away from them
keep the time you spend close to them as short as possible


Guidance Coronavirus (COVID-19): safer travel guidance for passengers
Aviation, ferries and maritime transport
Plan your journey
Before you travel, check with your travel operator and port, or airline and
airport for the latest travel advice on your route.
Consider making a list of items to take with you.


Guidance Coronavirus (COVID-19): safer travel guidance for passengers
Travel safely during the coronavirus outbreak
This guide will help you understand how to travel safely during the
coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak in England. It provides guidance for walking,
cycling, using private vehicles (for example cars and vans), and travelling by
taxis and public transport (for example trains, buses, coaches and ferries).
You should avoid using public transport where possible. Instead try to walk,
cycle, or drive. If you do travel, thinking carefully about the times, routes
and ways you travel will mean we will all have more space to stay safe.


Guidance Coronavirus (COVID-19): safer travel guidance for passengers
Public transport
Completing your journey
When finishing your journey, we recommend you:

consider walking or cycling from the station or stop you arrived at
follow local guidance
wash your hands for at least 20 seconds or sanitise your hands as soon as possible - do the same for children within your care if they have travelled


Guidance Coronavirus (COVID-19): safer travel guidance for passengers
Public transport
Plan your journey
Consider all other forms of transport before using public transport.
Before and during your journey, check with your transport operator for the
latest travel advice on your route:

bus, coach, tram and ferry operators
TfL
National Rail

Travel may take longer than normal on some routes due to reduced capacity and
social distancing measures. Allow sufficient time if your journey involves
changes between different forms of transport.
Plan ahead by identifying alternative routes and options in case of unexpected
disruption.
If you can, travel at off-peak times. Your transport operator can advise on
off-peak times. Your employer may agree alternative or flexible working hours
to support this.
Where possible, book your travel online through your transport provider’s
ticketing app or website. Consider contactless payment to buy tickets.
Taking a less busy route and reducing the number of changes (for example
between bus and train) will help you keep your distance from others. Public
Health England recommends keeping a 2 metre distance from other people, where
possible. Where this is not
possible you should keep the time you spend nears others as short as possible
and avoid physical contact.
Try to start or end your journey using a station or mode of transport you know
to be quieter or more direct. For instance, walk the first or last mile of
your journey, or alight at an earlier station, where this is possible.
*[TfL]: Transport for London


Guidance Coronavirus (COVID-19): support for UK businesses trading internationally
No import duty and VAT on medical supplies, equipment and protective garments
Find out how to pay no import duty and VAT on protective equipment and
relevant medical devices or equipment from non-EU
countries during the outbreak.
*[EU]: European Union


Guidance Coronavirus (COVID-19): support for UK businesses trading internationally
Export controls regarding personal protective equipment (PPE)
The Department of Health and Social Care have published guidance outlining
the PPE export control
process.
The guidance is aimed at economic operators, including manufacturers and
distributors, wishing to export PPE goods to a destination outside of the EU,
EFTA, or certain dependent and other
territories.
[PPE]: personal protective equipment
  [EU]: European Union
  *[EFTA]: European Free Trade Association


Guidance Coronavirus (COVID-19): support for UK businesses trading internationally
DIT support for UK businesses
DIT can advise on:

smooth clearance of products with customs authorities
intellectual property (IP) and other issues with business continuity
export plans and exploring market opportunities
finding new routes to markets
dealing with agents and distributors
finding alternative suppliers
selling online and updating your digital (online) presence

You can access DIT support by:

contacting your international trade adviser where you have an existing relationship
finding your local trade office in the UK to discuss specific trade issues

For UK businesses with overseas presence, or operating projects in other
countries, our worldwide DIT
offices can
provide information on trade issues specific to that region or country.
DIT provides cross-border e-commerce support, including connecting businesses
to e-commerce advisers for tailored one-to-one advice. Contact
e-exporting@trade.gov.uk for more
information.
UK Export Finance can help businesses facing disruption due to coronavirus
(COVID-19) with finance and insurance support for
exporters.
For more information, visit the government’s business support
hub.
You can also subscribe to GOV.UK coronavirus (COVID-19) email
alerts.
[DIT]: Department for International Trade
  [IP]: intellectual property


Guidance Coronavirus (COVID-19): support for parents and carers to keep children safe online
Cyberbullying
If you are concerned about cyberbullying, you can find government advice and
information about how you can protect your
child and tackle it if it happens.


Guidance Coronavirus (COVID-19): support for parents and carers to keep children safe online
What harms might my child experience online?
You may have concerns about specific harms which children can experience
online. There are more resources to help you understand and protect your child
from different harms online, including:

child sexual abuse – a definition
exposure to radicalising content
youth-produced sexual imagery (‘sexting’)
cyberbullying
exposure to age-inappropriate content, such as pornography
exposure to harmful content, such as suicide content


Guidance Coronavirus (COVID-19): support for parents and carers to keep children safe online
Suicide content
If you are worried about your child’s mental health, the government has
published guidance for parents and
carers on supporting children
and young people’s mental health and wellbeing during the coronavirus
(COVID-19) outbreak.
If you are worried that someone you know is suicidal, including your child,
Samaritans provides advice on how you can support
others.


Guidance Coronavirus (COVID-19): support for parents and carers to keep children safe online
‘Sexting’ (youth-produced sexual imagery)
If you are worried about your child sending nude images or videos (sometimes
referred to as ‘youth-produced sexual imagery’or sexting),
NSPCC provides advice to help you understand the risks and support
your child.
If your child has shared nude images,
Thinkuknow by National Crime Agency-CEOP
provides advice on talking to your child and where to get help.


Guidance Coronavirus (COVID-19): support for parents and carers to keep children safe online
Age-inappropriate content and parental controls
If you have downloaded new apps or bought new technology to help stay
connected at this time, remember to review and adjust privacy and safety
settings if you or your child is signing up to a new online service.
Internet Matters has provided step-by-step
guides on how to set up
parental controls so that you can control what content your child can access
online.
The UK Safer Internet Centre has developed guidance on how to switch on family-friendly filters
to prevent age-inappropriate content being accessed on devices in your home.
The NSPCC provides more information for parents
or carers with concerns about their child seeking inappropriate or explicit
content online.


Guidance Coronavirus (COVID-19): support for parents and carers to keep children safe online
Child sexual abuse
If you are concerned call 999 or report it to the National Crime Agency-
CEOP.
If your child has been a victim of child sexual abuse – online or offline –
and you believe they are in immediate danger, you should call 999 and ask for
the police. The police will continue to respond to emergency calls.
If you are concerned that your child has been a victim of online sexual abuse
or you are worried about the way someone has been communicating with your
child online, you can report it to National Crime Agency-
CEOP (Child Exploitation and
Online Protection).
These resources provide information and support for parents and carers on what
to do if you’re worried about child sexual abuse:

you can contact the NSPCC helpline (0808 800 5000) for support and advice if you have concerns about your own or another child’s safety. The Together, we can tackle child abuse campaign also provides information on the signs of child abuse and neglect
Thinkuknow by National Crime Agency-CEOP has developed activities to support your child’s safe use of the internet and the Lucy Faithfull Foundation’s Parents Protect website also provides advice on how to help protect children from child sexual abuse
if you see sexual images or videos of someone under 18 online, report it anonymously to the Internet Watch Foundation who can work to remove them from the web and help to identify victims and survivors
you can contact Stop It Now! for information and advice if you have concerns about someone’s behaviour, including children who may be displaying concerning sexual behaviour
you can contact The Marie Collins Foundation help@mariecollinsfoundation.org.uk for support, including advice and individual counselling, for your child if they have been subjected to online sexual abuse - support is also offered to parents and carers


Guidance Coronavirus (COVID-19): support for parents and carers to keep children safe online
Support for children
If your child is worried or needs support, they can receive advice and support
from Childline (0800 1111) or download the
‘For Me’ app.
If you need help to support your child’s mental wellbeing, this list of
online education resources for home
education includes mental
wellbeing resources which provide guidance on how to support the wellbeing of
children and young people.


Guidance Coronavirus (COVID-19): support for parents and carers to keep children safe online
Keep your child safe online
It is important to have regular conversations about staying safe online and to
encourage children to speak to you if they come across something worrying
online.
These resources provide guidance for parents and carers to keep children safe
online. They will, amongst other things, support you to talk to your child
about a range of online safety issues, set up home filtering in a child-
friendly way and set up age-appropriate parental controls on digital devices:

Thinkuknow by National Crime Agency-CEOP (Child Exploitation and Online Protection) provides resources for parents and carers and children of all ages to help keep children safe online
Childnet has developed guidance for parents and carers to begin a conversation about online safety, as well as guidance on keeping under-fives safe online
Parent Info is a collaboration between Parent Zone and NCA-CEOP, providing support and guidance for parents and carers related to the digital world from leading experts and organisations
NSPCC has guidance for parents and carers to help keep children safe online
UK Safer Internet Centre provides tips and advice for parents and carers to keep children safe online - you can also report any harmful content found online through the UK Safer Internet Centre


Guidance Coronavirus (COVID-19): support for parents and carers to keep children safe online
Radicalising content
If you are concerned that any family member, friend or loved one is being
radicalised, you can call the police or 101 to get advice or make a Prevent
referral, so that they can get safeguarding support. Support is tailored to
the individual’s needs and works in a similar way to safeguarding processes
designed to protect people from gangs, drug abuse and physical and sexual
exploitation. Receiving support through Prevent is voluntary, confidential and
not any form of criminal sanction. If you need further help, you can also
contact your local authority safeguarding team.
Educate Against Hate Parents’ Hub
provides resources and government advice for parents and carers on keeping
young people safe from extremism, including online.
Let’s Talk About It provides
support for parents and carers to keep children safe from online
radicalisation.
Any member of the public can report terrorist content they find online
through the GOV.UK referral tool. More
information about what to report and what happens when you make a report can
be found on the Action Counters Terrorism
campaign.


Guidance Coronavirus (COVID-19): support for victims of domestic abuse
Welfare benefits and housing advice
The Department for Work and Pensions has published up-to-date coronavirus-
related welfare benefits
information.
If you are concerned about your financial situation, you can contact
Turn2us. They help people to access the money
available to them through welfare benefits and grants. Their website has an
income-related benefits checker enabling you to check that you are receiving
all the benefits you are entitled to.
Shelter provide free confidential housing
information, support and legal advice on all housing and homelessness issues.
They also have an emergency helpline.


Guidance Coronavirus (COVID-19): support for victims of domestic abuse
Where to get help
Sexual assault referral centres
Sexual assault referral centres continue
to provide non-judgmental advice and support services to victims and survivors
of sexual assault or abuse.
Interviews, forensic examinations and sexual health and counselling services
are offered in a comfortable environment where staff will ensure that victims
and survivors will be managed safely to comply with coronavirus guidance.
Please call your local sexual assault eferral centre to arrange care and
support, which may be provided in person or remotely depending on your needs.


Guidance Coronavirus (COVID-19): support for victims of domestic abuse
Where to get help
Galop - for members of the LGBT+ community
Galop runs the National LGBT+ Domestic Abuse specialist helpline.
Telephone: 0800 999 5428
Email: help@galop.org.uk


Guidance Coronavirus (COVID-19): support for victims of domestic abuse
Support for children and young people
Witnessing and experiencing domestic abuse can have a serious impact on a
child’s long-term health. It is a top priority that vulnerable children and
young people remain safe during this uncertain period. If you are concerned
that a child is at risk of harm, you should refer this information to
children’s social care or to the police if you believe the child is in
immediate danger.
NSPCC
The NSPCC has issued guidance for
spotting and reporting the signs of abuse on their website.
The NSPCC Helpline is available
for anyone with concerns about a child to contact for professional advice and
support.
Telephone: 0808 800 5000
Email: help@nspcc.org.uk
Childline
Childline is available for children and young
people to reach out for help and support by phone or using their online chat
service. They also provide specific guidance for young people on how to get
help and what to do if they are worried about a friend.
Telephone: 0800 1111
Barnardo’s
Barnardo’s provides support to
families affected by domestic abuse.
Family Lives
Family Lives also provide support through
online forums.
Information on child contact arrangements
Rights of Women provides guidance about child
contact arrangements relating to coronavirus.


Guidance Coronavirus (COVID-19): support for victims of domestic abuse
Support for professionals
SafeLives is providing
guidance and support to professionals and those working in the domestic abuse
sector, as well as additional advice for those at risk.


Guidance Coronavirus (COVID-19): support for victims of domestic abuse
Where to get help
National Domestic Abuse Helpline
Refuge runs the National Domestic Abuse
Helpline, which you can call for
free, and in confidence, 24 hours a day on 0808 2000 247. Its website provides
guidance and support for potential victims, as well as those who are worried
about friends and loved ones. It also has a form through which you can book a
safe time for a call from the team.
Refuge’s website includes a range of resources
on identifying the signs of domestic abuse, and a safety guide for women and
children who are living with a perpetrator. It also features a tech abuse
chat-bot with step-by-step instructional videos on how to secure devices such
as phones and laptops. Look for the pink button in the bottom-right corner.


Guidance Coronavirus (COVID-19): support for victims of domestic abuse
Where to get help
If you believe you are being abused, or worried you may commit domestic abuse,
please use the services on this page.
If you suspect that your neighbours or those in your community are victims of
domestic abuse, we encourage you to report it to the police.


Guidance Coronavirus (COVID-19): support for victims of domestic abuse
Support for employers
If you are an employer, it is important that you signal to all your workforce
that if they are facing domestic abuse you want to help them to get help. Keep
in regular contact with employees you know, or fear, may be facing abuse and
if you lose contact with them, take swift action to visit them. If you believe
there is an immediate risk of harm to someone, or it is an emergency, you
should always call 999.
Encourage employees to look out for others who may be facing domestic abuse
and signpost them to support. Your staff may also be worried about their own
abusive behaviour at this time. There is no excuse for domestic abuse, no
matter what stresses you are under and support is available.
The Employers’ Initiative on Domestic Abuse
website has a range of resources to support employers. Business in the
Community also have a toolkit with information for
employers.


Guidance Coronavirus (COVID-19): support for victims of domestic abuse
What is domestic abuse?
Domestic abuse is not always physical violence. It can also include, but is
not limited to:

coercive control and ‘gaslighting’
economic abuse
online abuse
verbal abuse
emotional abuse
sexual abuse


Guidance Coronavirus (COVID-19): support for victims of domestic abuse
Where to get help
Men’s Advice Line
The Men’s Advice Line is a confidential
helpline for male victims of domestic abuse and those supporting them.
Telephone: 0808 801 0327


Guidance Coronavirus (COVID-19): support for victims of domestic abuse
Where to get help
Call 999
If you are in immediate danger, call 999 and ask for the police - the police
will continue to respond to emergency calls.
If you are in danger and unable to talk on the phone, dial 999, listen to the
questions from the operator and respond by coughing or tapping the handset if
you can. Then follow the instructions depending on whether you are calling
from a mobile or a landline.
If you call from a mobile
If prompted, press 55 to Make Yourself
Heard - this will transfer your call to the
police.
Pressing 55 only works on mobiles and does not allow police to track your
location.
If you call 999 from a landline
If only background noise can be heard and BT operators cannot decide whether
an emergency service is needed, then you will be connected to a police call
handler.
If you replace the handset, the landline may remain connected for 45 seconds
in case you pick up again.
When 999 calls are made from landlines, information about your location should
be automatically available to the call handlers to help provide a response.


Guidance Coronavirus (COVID-19): support for victims of domestic abuse
BME specialist services
Imkaan
Imkaan is a women’s organisation addressing
violence against black and minority women and girls.
Southall Black Sisters
Southall Black Sisters offer
specialist support, advocacy and information to Asian and Afro-Caribbean women
suffering abuse.


Guidance Coronavirus (COVID-19): support for victims of domestic abuse
Where to get help
Women’s Aid
Women’s Aid has a range of direct services for survivors, including a live
chat service and an online Survivors’ Forum. They have developed additional
advice specifically designed for the current coronavirus outbreak. You can
also find your local domestic abuse
service on their
website. They also provide information on the support helplines available in
Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.


Guidance Coronavirus (COVID-19): support for victims of domestic abuse
Economic abuse
If you are concerned about how coronavirus may affect your finances and leave
you vulnerable to economic abuse, please see the advice provided by HM
Treasury
on what support is on offer.
The charity Surviving Economic
Abuse has also provided
additional guidance and support.


Guidance Coronavirus (COVID-19): support for victims of domestic abuse
Support if you are worried about hurting someone
If you are worried about hurting the ones you love while staying at home, call
the Respect Phoneline for support and help
to manage your behaviour. This is an anonymous and confidential helpline for
men and women who are harming their partners and families. It takes calls from
partners or ex-partners, friends, and relatives who are concerned about
perpetrators.
Telephone: 0808 802 4040


Guidance Coronavirus (COVID-19): support for victims of domestic abuse
Where to get help
Chayn
Chayn provides online help and resources in a number of
languages about identifying manipulative situations and how friends can
support those being abused.


Guidance Coronavirus (COVID-19): support for victims of domestic abuse
Disability specialist services
These services are run by deaf and/or disabled people.
Stay Safe East
Stay Safe East provides specialist and
holistic advocacy and support services to disabled victims and survivors of
abuse.
SignHealth
SignHealth provides domestic abuse service
support for deaf people in British Sign Language (BSL).
WhatsApp or Facetime: 07970 350366
Telephone: 020 3947 2601
Email: da@signhealth.org.uk


Guidance Coronavirus (COVID-19): support for victims of domestic abuse
Where to get help
Hestia
Hestia provides a free mobile app,
Bright Sky, which provides support and information to anyone who may be in an
abusive relationship or those concerned about someone they know.


Guidance Coronavirus (COVID-19): support for victims of domestic abuse
What signs to look for
If you believe that you or someone else could be a victim of domestic abuse,
there are signs that you can look out for including:

being withdrawn
having bruises
controlling finances
not being allowed to leave the house
monitoring technology use such as social media platforms


Guidance Coronavirus (COVID-19): support for victims of domestic abuse
Where to get help
‘Honour’-based abuse
If you are suffering abuse from your family or community because they say that
you have compromised their ‘honour’, or if they are trying to force you into
marriage, you can get help. Karma Nirvana runs the national honour-based abuse
helpline.
Telephone: 0800 5999 247
Email: support@karmanirvana.org.uk


Guidance Coronavirus (COVID-19): temporary extension of free school meals eligibility to NRPF groups
Time period
The extension of free school meal eligibility to these groups will take place
immediately. It will end when schools have reopened to all children.


Guidance Coronavirus (COVID-19): temporary extension of free school meals eligibility to NRPF groups
Providing an application form
We have provided a sample application
form including a self-declaration form that you can provide to carers for
assessing eligibility.
Though the form is designed for applicants to complete themselves, we
appreciate that individual circumstances may make this difficult and schools
can assist with the completion if required.
Use of the sample application
form is not mandatory. You can create your own form if you prefer.


Guidance Coronavirus (COVID-19): temporary extension of free school meals eligibility to NRPF groups
Assessing documentation
Due to current restrictions and safety precautions, you can review documents
electronically if the family are comfortable and able to provide them in this
way.
We are aware that under the current circumstances, it may be difficult for a
family to provide the required evidence. We are also aware that teachers and
schools are already likely to be familiar with the circumstances of the
children under their care. As such, you can be flexible and use your
discretion when asking for supplementary evidence.
We do not require schools or local authorities to retain copies of evidence
provided. You should advise applicants of their individual data protection
regulations and processes and ensure that these are abided to.


Guidance Coronavirus (COVID-19): temporary extension of free school meals eligibility to NRPF groups
Who is eligible
Zambrano carers
A Zambrano carer is the primary carer of a British citizen child or dependent
adult, where requiring the primary carer to leave the UK would force that
British citizen to leave the European Economic Area (EEA).
They must be able to show:

that the carer/parent is not a British citizen
that the child is a British citizen
that the carer is a direct relative or legal guardian of the child
that they have primary responsibility of the child
that there are no other members of the carer’s family in the UK or the EEA who could look after the child

More detailed information on Zambrano carers is available in the Home Office
guidance on derivative rights of
residence.
Zambrano carers are able to work, and as such are subject to a maximum annual
household earnings threshold of £7,400 to be eligible to receive free school
meals.
See confirming household income for further guidance on assessing this.
Suggested evidence
You should ask families to sign a self-declaration form as part of their
application for free school meals. A sample application
form including a self-declaration is available, but you can use an
alternative if you prefer.
At present, Zambrano carers are not required to apply to the Home Office for
confirmation of their status, however many will choose to apply for a
derivative residence card to demonstrate their right to reside and work in the
UK. As this is not a mandatory requirement, not being in receipt of this card
does not necessarily mean that the carer does not hold this status.
*[EEA]: European Economic Area


Guidance Coronavirus (COVID-19): temporary extension of free school meals eligibility to NRPF groups
Who is eligible
Article 8 of the European Convention on Human Rights
Article 8 states that everyone has the right to respect for his private and
family life, his home and his correspondence.
Carers with leave to remain under article 8 are able to work, and as such are
subject to a maximum annual household earnings threshold of £7,400 in order
for their child to be eligible to receive free school meals.
See confirming household income for further guidance on assessing this.
Suggested evidence
You should ask families to sign a self-declaration form as part of their
application for free school meals. A sample application
form including a self-declaration is available, but you can use an
alternative if you prefer.
Carers who have leave to remain under article 8 will be able to provide a
letter from the Home Office granting them leave to remain in the UK and/or a
biometric residence card.


Guidance Coronavirus (COVID-19): temporary extension of free school meals eligibility to NRPF groups
Who is eligible
Section 17 of the Children Act 1989
Section 17 places a general duty on local authorities to safeguard and promote
the welfare of children in need by providing a range and level of services
appropriate to those children’s needs.
A child will be considered in need if:

they are unlikely to achieve or maintain or to have the opportunity to achieve or maintain a reasonable standard of health or development without the provision of services by the local authority
the child’s health or development is likely to be significantly impaired or further impaired without the provision of such services
the child is disabled.

The support local authorities provide will vary depending on the individual
needs of the child and/or family.
This support is not provided exclusively to people with NRPF – however, the
extended eligibility for free school meals is available only to families with
NRPF.
Some families receiving Section 17 support are able to work, and as such are
subject to a maximum annual household earnings threshold of £7,400 to be
eligible to receive free school meals.
See confirming household income for further guidance on assessing this.
Suggested evidence
You should ask families to sign a self-declaration form as part of their
application for free school meals. A sample application
form including a self-declaration is available, but you can use an
alternative if you prefer.
Families receiving Section 17 support should have a child in need pack from
the local authority which lists the support that they will be providing to the
family. This is updated and reassessed every 3 to 6 months. Schools can ask to
view a copy of this dated within the last 6 months to verify that this support
is being received.
*[NRPF]: no recourse to public funds


Guidance Coronavirus (COVID-19): temporary extension of free school meals eligibility to NRPF groups
Confirming household income
To be eligible for free school meals, the maximum annual household earnings
threshold is £7,400 after tax. This equates to £616 per month.
You should ask families wishing to apply to fill out a self-declaration.
To verify this, we suggest asking to view either a:

payslip
P60
bank statement
letter from their bank
letter from their employer

Families who are receiving Section 4 support are not able to work, and as such
their earnings do not need to be verified.


Guidance Coronavirus (COVID-19): temporary extension of free school meals eligibility to NRPF groups
Who is eligible
Section 4 of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999
Section 4 allows the Home Office to provide support to a subset of refused
asylum seekers who are classed as destitute and meet their
criteria.
People receiving Section 4 support are not able to work, and as such there is
no requirement to confirm earnings.
Suggested evidence
You should ask families to sign a self-declaration form as part of their
application for free school meals. A sample application
form including a self-declaration is available, but you can use an
alternative if you prefer.
Carers who are receiving Section 4 support will be able to provide a letter
from the Home Office or local authority confirming Section 4 support and/or an
ASPEN card.


Guidance Coronavirus (COVID-19): what to do if you were employed and have lost your job
Financial support
Apply online for Universal Credit to get financial support if you’ve lost your job.
You might also be able to:

apply online for New Style Jobseeker’s Allowance
apply for New Style Employment and Support Allowance, if you have a disability or health condition that affects how much you can work

You might also be able to get New Style Employment and Support Allowance if
one for the following applies:

you or your child might have coronavirus or you’re recovering from it
you or your child are self-isolating because you came into contact with someone who might have coronavirus
you have been told to stay at home for at least 12 weeks by the NHS because you’re at high risk of severe illness

You do not need to go into a Jobcentre Plus office to apply or get a payment.
Processing your application
Because of coronavirus, it might take longer than usual to process your
application and answer questions about it. We apologise for these delays – we
know this is a difficult time.
Advance payments
If you do not have enough money to live on while you wait for your first
Universal Credit payment you can ask for an advance
payment.


Guidance Coronavirus (COVID-19): what to do if you were employed and have lost your job
If you lost your job after 28 February
Your employer might be able to re-employ you and put you on temporary leave
instead. This is known as being ‘on furlough’.
Your employer could get a grant using the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme to
help them pay for some of your wages. Check if your employer can use
it.


Guidance Coronavirus (COVID-19): what to do if you’re already getting benefits
Universal Credit
You’ll continue to get Universal Credit as normal during the coronavirus
(COVID-19) outbreak.
If you’re working while claiming Universal Credit, your payment will be
adjusted if you can no longer work due to coronavirus. Tell us about the hours
you’re working in the usual way in your online
account.
The standard allowance increased on 6 April 2020. For example, for a single
Universal Credit claimant (aged 25 and over) it has increased from £317.82 to
£409.89 a month.
You must still tell us about changes to your
circumstances.
Interviews and medical assessments
You do not need to attend any Jobcentre Plus appointments or medical
assessments during the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak.
You should not attend a Jobcentre Plus unless asked to do so for an
exceptional purpose, for example to collect your Payment Exception
Service vouchers.
If you’re self-employed and claiming Universal Credit
Since 30 March 2020, the way your Universal Credit payment is worked out has
changed because of coronavirus (COVID-19).
Payments are no longer calculated using an assumed level of earnings, called a
Minimum Income Floor. They are now based on your actual earnings.
If your payments were calculated using the Minimum Income Floor, they may
change.
You must still tell us about changes to your
circumstances.


Guidance Coronavirus (COVID-19): what to do if you’re already getting benefits
Other benefits
Your payments will not be affected if you get:

Jobseeker’s Allowance
‘New style’ Jobseeker’s Allowance
Employment and Support Allowance
‘New style’ Employment and Support Allowance
Disability Living Allowance
Personal Independence Payment

You do not need to attend any Jobcentre Plus appointments or health
assessments in person during the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak.
You should not attend a Jobcentre Plus unless asked to do so for an
exceptional purpose, for example to collect your Payment Exception
Service vouchers.
You must still tell us about changes to your
circumstances.


Guidance Coronavirus (COVID-19): what to do if you’re already getting benefits
Working Tax Credit and Child Tax Credit
If you’re currently getting tax credits and you cannot work or you’re working
fewer hours because of coronavirus, you do not need to tell HMRC about this
change as long as you’re still employed or self-employed.
You must still tell HMRC about other changes to your
circumstances. This includes
if you or your partner lose your job, are made redundant or cease trading.
The basic element of Working Tax Credit has increased by £1,045 to £3,040 from
6 April 2020 until 5 April 2021. Find out what this means for
you.
You cannot claim Universal Credit and tax credits at the same time. If you get
tax credits, they will stop when you or your partner applies for Universal
Credit and you will be unable to claim them again, even if your Universal
Credit claim is unsuccessful. Check how tax credits and Universal Credit
affect each other.
*[HMRC]: Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs


Guidance Coronavirus (COVID-19): what to do if you’re employed and cannot work
If your employer has no work for you to do (you’ve been put ‘on furlough’)
Your employer might be able to keep you on the payroll if they’re unable to
operate and put you on temporary leave instead. This is known as being put ‘on
furlough’.
Your employer could get a grant using the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme to
help them pay for some of your wages. Check if your employer can use
it.
If your salary is reduced because of these changes, check if you’re eligible
for Universal Credit.


Guidance Coronavirus (COVID-19): what to do if you’re employed and cannot work
If you’re not eligible for Statutory Sick Pay
You can apply online for Universal Credit if you cannot get Statutory Sick Pay.
You might also be able to:

apply online for New Style Jobseeker’s Allowance
apply for New Style Employment and Support Allowance, if you have a disability or health condition that affects how much you can work

You might also be able to get New Style Employment and Support Allowance if
one of the following applies:

you or your child might have coronavirus or you’re recovering from it
you or your child are self-isolating because you came into contact with someone who might have coronavirus
you have been told to stay at home for at least 12 weeks by the NHS because you’re at high risk of severe illness

You do not need to go into a Jobcentre Plus office to apply or get a payment.
Processing your application
Because of coronavirus (COVID-19), it might take longer than usual to process
your application and answer questions about it. We apologise for these delays
– we know this is a difficult time.
Advance payments
If you do not have enough money to live on while you wait for your first
Universal Credit payment you can ask for an advance
payment.


Guidance Coronavirus (COVID-19): what to do if you’re employed and cannot work
If someone you live with has symptoms of coronavirus
You must stay at home if someone you live with has symptoms of coronavirus
(COVID-19). This is sometimes known as ‘self-isolating’.
If you can work from home
You should work from home if you can. Speak to your employer about working
from home.
If you cannot work from home
Tell your employer that a member of your household has symptoms of coronavirus
(COVID-19) and that you must self-isolate. They should tell you if you’re
covered by their sick leave or special leave policy.
If you cannot get sick pay from your employer, you might be able to get
Statutory Sick Pay from day one of
self-isolation.


Guidance Coronavirus (COVID-19): what to do if you’re employed and cannot work
Financial support if you have symptoms of coronavirus (COVID-19)
Tell your employer that you have symptoms of coronavirus (COVID-19). They
should tell you if you’re covered by their sick leave policy.
After the first 7 days of absence, they may also ask you for an isolation note
to show you cannot work because of coronavirus. You can get an isolation note
from NHS 111 online.
Statutory Sick Pay (SSP)
If you cannot get sick pay from your employer, you could get Statutory Sick
Pay (SSP) for every day you’re in
isolation. You must self isolate for at least 4 days to be eligible.
If your self-isolation began before 13 March 2020
If you were self-isolating before 13 March 2020 because you had symptoms, your
SSP will begin from the fourth day.
If you were self-isolating before 13 March because someone in your household
had symptoms, you cannot get SSP.
Check you’re eligible for SSP.
*[SSP]: Statutory Sick Pay


Guidance Coronavirus (COVID-19): what to do if you’re self-employed and getting less work or no work
Claim a grant if you’ve lost income
If you’re getting less work or no work because of coronavirus (COVID-19), you
might be able to claim a grant through the coronavirus Self-employment Income
Support Scheme.


Guidance Coronavirus (COVID-19): what to do if you’re self-employed and getting less work or no work
If you cannot make a Self Assessment payment on account
If you are due to make a Self Assessment payment on account by 31 July 2020,
you can put off your payment
until January 2021.


Guidance Coronavirus (COVID-19): what to do if you’re self-employed and getting less work or no work
Other financial support
If you’re getting less work or no work because of coronavirus (COVID-19), you
can also:

apply online for Universal Credit
apply for New Style Employment and Support Allowance, if you have a disability or health condition that affects how much you can work

You might also be able to get New Style Employment and Support Allowance if
one for the following applies:

you or your child might have coronavirus or you’re recovering from it
you or your child are self-isolating because you came into contact with someone who might have coronavirus
you have been told to stay at home for at least 12 weeks by the NHS because you’re at high risk of severe illness

You do not need to go into a Jobcentre Plus office to apply or get a payment.
Your Universal Credit payment is based on your actual earnings. You need to
report any self-employed earnings and expenses at the end of each monthly
assessment period.
Processing your application
Because of coronavirus (COVID-19), it might take longer than usual to process
your application and answer questions about it. We apologise for these delays
– we know this is a difficult time.
Advance payments
If you do not have enough money to live on while you wait for your first
Universal Credit payment you can ask for an advance
payment.


Guidance Coronavirus: How to help safely
Stay safe as a volunteer
You can leave the house to help someone, for example to take them food and
medicine.
If you are doing this, you must:

stay outside their home if you do not live with them, especially if they are at a higher risk from coronavirus or have symptoms
limit the time you spend outside your home for example by picking up their food or medicine with yours
stay 2 metres (6 ft) away if you do not live with them
not share a car with them
regularly wash your hands with soapy water for at least 20 seconds

If you do not follow this advice, you could put yourself at risk of infection,
or risk spreading it to others.
If you or someone in your household starts to show symptoms, or if you are at
high risk of severe symptoms yourself, then you must stay at home. If you
still want to help, you can donate to the National Emergency
Trust.
If you’re worried about someone’s health
Contact the NHS:

Online: NHS 111 online Coronavirus service (for help and advice)
Phone: 111 (if symptoms get worse)
Phone: 999 (if someone’s life is at risk)

If you are worried about someone’s mental health, tell them to get help and
support from Every Mind Matters.


Guidance Coronavirus: How to help safely
Stay safe if a volunteer is helping you
Read the guidance on staying at
home.
If a volunteer is helping you while you stay at home:

do not give them your credit or debit card numbers or other financial information
ask for ID if someone you do not know calls at your home
only share your phone number or address if you need to
only give your information on a need-to-know basis
do not let them pressure you into giving information

Remember that volunteers should not enter your home.
If you have serious concerns about the behaviour of someone who is helping
you, report this to the police.


Guidance Coronavirus: MOTs due from 30 March 2020
Eligibility
Your MOT certificate will be extended by 6 months if it was due to expire on
or after 30 March 2020 and your vehicle is a:

car
motorcycle
light van
other light vehicle

First MOT due
The extension also applies to these types of vehicles that are due their first
MOT test on or after 30 March 2020.
There are different rules if your MOT expiry date was on or before 29 March
2020.


Guidance Coronavirus: MOTs due from 30 March 2020
Keep your vehicle safe to drive
You must make sure your vehicle is safe to drive (‘roadworthy’). It can be
unsafe even if your MOT expiry date has been extended.
Find out:

how to check your vehicle is safe
what rules you need to follow to maintain your vehicle

Get unsafe vehicles repaired
Take your vehicle to be repaired at the nearest open garage if it’s unsafe.
These are allowed to stay open during the coronavirus outbreak.
You can be fined up to £2,500, be banned from driving and get 3 penalty points
for driving a vehicle in a dangerous condition.


Guidance Coronavirus: MOTs due from 30 March 2020
How the 6-month extension works
Your vehicle’s MOT expiry date will be automatically extended by 6 months if
it’s eligible. This will be done about 7 days before it’s due to expire.
This means that:

your vehicle will still have a valid MOT certificate for an extra 6 months
you can still tax your vehicle - you might need to wait to do this until later in the month if both your MOT and vehicle tax run out this month
your insurance will still be valid
your vehicle’s record will be updated so the police can see you have a valid MOT

You will not get a new paper MOT certificate with the new expiry date on it.
You must still keep your vehicle safe to drive.
Example Your vehicle’s MOT was due to expire on 3 May 2020.
This will automatically be extended to 3 November 2020. You will need to get
your MOT by this date.


Guidance Coronavirus: MOTs due from 30 March 2020
What you need to do
Your vehicle’s MOT expiry date will be updated about 7 days before it was
originally due to expire.

Three days before your MOT was originally due to expire, check the expiry date has been extended.

If the expiry date has not been extended 3 days before it was due to expire, email covid19mot@dvsa.gov.uk.

You need to include these details in the email:

the date your MOT expired
your vehicle registration number (number plate)

The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency will then:

update your vehicle’s record
email you to tell you this has been done


Guidance Coronavirus: MOTs due from 30 March 2020
If your vehicle tax and MOT run out in May
You cannot renew your vehicle tax until your MOT expiry date has been
extended. It will be extended a few days before it was originally due to
expire.
This means you might need to wait until later in May to tax your vehicle.
Check that the MOT expiry date has been extended before you tax your vehicle.


Guidance Coronavirus: MOTs due from 30 March 2020
If you take your vehicle for its MOT and it fails
Your MOT extension will no longer apply if you take your vehicle for its MOT
and it fails.
Your vehicle will need to be fixed and pass its MOT before you can use it
again.
Example Your vehicle’s MOT was originally due to expire on 3 May 2020, but
has been extended to 3 November 2020.
You take your vehicle for its MOT in August and it fails. You must stop using
the vehicle until it’s fixed and passes another MOT test.


Guidance Coronavirus: specialist vehicle approval tests
Apply for a priority IVA test
How to apply

Apply for vehicle approval in the normal way if you have not already done this.

Download and fill in the Application for a priority examination form (PDF, 1.26MB, 4 pages)

Email the form to the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA).

Priority IVA tests
emergency.iva.test@dvsa.gov.uk
[PDF]: Portable Document Format
  [DVSA]: Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency
  *[ IVA]: individual vehicle approval


Guidance Coronavirus: specialist vehicle approval tests
Apply for a priority IVA test
You can apply for a priority IVA test before 22 June 2020. Tests will be
allocated on a priority basis.
A limited number of tests are available. This means that:

you might not get an appointment for a test
your appointment might be changed if a higher-priority vehicle needs to be tested

Depending on your vehicle, you might need:

a full inspection
a partial inspection
to send photo or video evidence

*[IVA]: individual vehicle approval


Guidance Coronavirus: specialist vehicle approval tests
If your approval test was cancelled in March because of coronavirus
You’ll get an email to tell you that your test has been rebooked. It will tell
you the new date and time of your test.
You will not get this email immediately - it should arrive around 2 weeks
before your new test date.
It’s likely that your new test date will be around 3 months after your
original date.


Guidance Coronavirus: specialist vehicle approval tests
Apply for a priority IVA test
Eligible vehicles
When you apply, you need to say which of these 6 categories your vehicle is
in.
If your vehicle is being used to support the coronavirus response you’ll also
need to provide proof with your application - for example, a statement from
the vehicle operator saying what the vehicle will be used for.
1. Vehicles critical to the coronavirus response
A vehicle is critical to the coronavirus response if it is:

an ambulance
an emergency services vehicle
a hearse
specifically designed and built to transport patients that need medical treatment (it cannot have more than 8 seats in addition to the driver’s seat)

2. Goods vehicles being used to support the coronavirus response
You need to prove the goods vehicle will be used to support the coronavirus
response (for example, transporting food products, household essentials,
clinical or medical supplies).
3. Vehicles manufactured in Great Britain
This includes vehicles that have had a second stage manufactured in Great
Britain.
4. European approved vehicles with an expired certificate of conformity
5. Imported vehicles
This includes imported vehicles approved to a non-European standard.
6. Amateur built or rebuilt vehicles
For example kit cars


Guidance Critical workers who can access schools or educational settings
Critical workers
Parents whose work is critical to the COVID-19 response include those who work
in health and social care and in other key sectors outlined below. Many
parents working in these sectors may be able to look after their child at
home, but attendance is strongly encouraged.
Please, therefore, also follow these key principles:

If a child needs specialist support, is vulnerable or has a parent who is a critical worker, then educational provision will be available for them.

Parents should not rely for childcare upon those who are advised to be in the stringent social distancing category such as grandparents, friends, or family members with underlying conditions.

Parents must do everything they can to ensure children are not mixing socially outside of school. They must observe the same social distancing principles as adults, as far as possible.

Residential special schools, boarding schools and special settings continue to care for children wherever possible.

If your work is critical to the COVID-19 response, or you work in one of the
critical sectors listed below, then your children will be prioritised for
education provision and are strongly encouraged to attend.
Health and social care
This includes, but is not limited to, doctors, nurses, midwives, paramedics,
social workers, care workers, and other frontline health and social care staff
including volunteers; the support and specialist staff required to maintain
the UK’s health and social care sector; those working as part of the health
and social care supply chain, including producers and distributors of
medicines and medical and personal protective equipment.
Education and childcare
This includes:

childcare
support and teaching staff
social workers
specialist education professionals who must remain active during the COVID-19 response to deliver this approach

Key public services
This includes:

those essential to the running of the justice system
religious staff
charities and workers delivering key frontline services
those responsible for the management of the deceased
journalists and broadcasters who are providing public service broadcasting

Local and national government
This only includes:

those administrative occupations essential to the effective delivery of the COVID-19 response
or delivering essential public services, such as the payment of benefits, including in government agencies and arms length bodies

Food and other necessary goods
This includes those involved in food:

production
processing
distribution
sale and delivery
as well as those essential to the provision of other key goods (for example hygienic and veterinary medicines)

Public safety and national security
This includes:

police and support staff
Ministry of Defence civilians
contractor and armed forces personnel (those critical to the delivery of key defence and national security outputs and essential to the response to the COVID-19 outbreak)
fire and rescue service employees (including support staff)
National Crime Agency staff
those maintaining border security, prison and probation staff and other national security roles, including those overseas

Transport
This includes those who will keep the air, water, road and rail passenger and
freight transport modes operating during the COVID-19 response, including
those working on transport systems through which supply chains pass.
Utilities, communication and financial services
This includes:

staff needed for essential financial services provision (including but not limited to workers in banks, building societies and financial market infrastructure)
the oil, gas, electricity and water sectors (including sewerage)
information technology and data infrastructure sector and primary industry supplies to continue during the COVID-19 response
key staff working in the civil nuclear, chemicals, telecommunications (including but not limited to network operations, field engineering, call centre staff, IT and data infrastructure, 999 and 111 critical services)
postal services and delivery
payments providers
waste disposal sectors

If your school is closed, then please contact your local
authority, who will seek to redirect
you to a local school in your area that your child, or children, can attend.
We are grateful for the work of teachers and workers in educational settings
for continuing to provide for the children of the other critical workers of
our country. It is an essential part of our national effort to combat this
disease.


Guidance Critical workers who can access schools or educational settings
Vulnerable children and young people
During the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak, for the purposes of continued
attendance at educational settings, vulnerable children and young people are
defined as those who:

are assessed as being in need under section 17 of the Children Act 1989, including children who have a child in need plan, a child protection plan or who are a looked-after child
have an education, health and care (EHC) plan and it is determined, following risk assessment, that their needs can be as safely or more safely met in the educational environment
have been assessed as otherwise vulnerable by educational providers or local authorities (including children’s social care services), and who are therefore in need of continued education provision - this might include children on the edge of receiving support from children’s social care services, adopted children, those at risk of becoming NEET (‘not in employment, education or training’), those who are young carers and others at the provider and local authority’s discretion

*[EHC]: education, health and care


Guidance Deferral of VAT payments due to coronavirus (COVID-19)
If you choose to defer paying your VAT
If you choose to defer your VAT payment as a result of coronavirus, you must
pay the VAT due on or before 31 March 2021.
You do not need to tell HMRC that you’re deferring your VAT payment.
Payments made by Direct Debit
If you normally pay by Direct Debit you should cancel your Direct Debit
through your bank as soon as possible so that HMRC will not automatically
collect any VAT due. You can cancel online if you’re registered for online
banking.


Guidance Deferral of VAT payments due to coronavirus (COVID-19)
VAT payments you can defer
You can only defer:

quarterly and monthly VAT returns’ payments for the periods ending in February, March and April
payments on account due between 20 March 2020 and 30 June 2020
annual accounting advance payments due between 20 March 2020 and 30 June 2020

The deferral does not cover payments for VAT MOSS or import VAT.
VAT repayments and returns
HMRC will continue to process VAT reclaims and
refunds as normal and most repayments are
paid within 5 working days.
Repayments will not be offset against any deferred VAT, but they will be
offset against existing debts.
You can apply online to move to monthly returns to improve your
cashflow if you’re in a repayment position.
How deferring VAT affects payments on account
If you defer a payment on account between 20 March 2020 and 30 June 2020 but the balancing payment
is outside of these dates, the amount you must pay is the balancing payment
less any deferred payments. Deferring payments will not create a repayment.
You will still need to submit your VAT returns to HMRC on time.


Guidance Deferral of VAT payments due to coronavirus (COVID-19)
How to get help
Time to pay arrangements are available to all businesses and individuals who
are in temporary financial distress as a result of coronavirus. Time to pay
arrangements that started before 20 March 2020 should still be paid.
If you’re struggling to pay your tax bill on time, or you’re experiencing
financial difficulties you can contact HMRC’s Time to
Pay service.
Get help online
Use HMRC’s digital assistant to find more
information about the coronavirus support schemes.
You can also contact the HMRC coronavirus
helpline for help and advice.


Guidance Deferral of VAT payments due to coronavirus (COVID-19)
After the VAT deferral ends
VAT payments that are due after the end of the deferral period will need to be
paid as normal.


Guidance Get technology support for children and schools during coronavirus (COVID-19)
When laptops and tablets will be delivered
Orders will be delivered in May and June.


Guidance Get technology support for children and schools during coronavirus (COVID-19)
How to apply for this support
Local authorities, academy trusts and other relevant organisations overseeing
schools and social care can apply. These organisations have been sent
information on how to order a device.
Schools, parents and pupils do not need to apply for internet access or
digital devices themselves.


Guidance Get technology support for children and schools during coronavirus (COVID-19)
Get help using online education platforms
Schools can apply for government-funded support through The Key for School
Leaders and access one of
two free-to-use digital education platforms: G Suite for Education or Office
365 Education. The Key also provides feature comparison and case studies on
how schools are making the most of these platforms.
Organisations can use the EdTech Demonstrator Programme to contact a network of schools and colleges who are
already using remote education technology resources for help and support.
Read the other guidance on remote education during coronavirus
(COVID-19).
Read other guidance on social care during coronavirus
(COVID-19).


Guidance Get technology support for children and schools during coronavirus (COVID-19)
Local authority and academy trust responsibilities
Local authorities are responsible for ordering and distributing laptops and
tablets to:

care leavers and children with a social worker
year 10 pupils in maintained schools, including voluntary aided schools, who do not have a social worker

Local authorities should work with schools to assess which pupils require a
laptop or tablet.
Academy trusts are responsible for ordering and distributing laptops and
tablets to year 10 pupils who:

do not have a social worker
are not a care leaver
do not have access to a laptop or tablet through another source

Local authorities and academy trusts will own the laptops and tablets they
receive, and loan them to children and young people.


Guidance Get technology support for children and schools during coronavirus (COVID-19)
What happens during the application and ordering process
All local authorities and academy trusts should follow the same steps to apply
for and receive devices. The timelines will be different for each
organisation, because we’re prioritising delivery in this order:

care leavers and children with a social worker
disadvantaged year 10 children

The application and ordering steps are:

Organisations are asked to complete an online form from the Department for Education’s delivery partner. The form asks the organisation to forecast the number of laptops and tablets they need, and choose between a Google or Microsoft operating system.
Organisations will be contacted by the Department for Education to confirm the number of laptops and tablets they have been allocated.
Organisations will be asked to register with the delivery partner’s online system ready to place their order when stock is available. It may take a few weeks for devices to be prepared and loaded onto the ordering system.
The delivery partner will notify each organisation when laptops and tablets are available to be ordered.
Laptops and tablets will be delivered within 5 working days of placing the order.


Guidance Get technology support for children and schools during coronavirus (COVID-19)
Who can receive digital devices and internet access
Laptops and tablets will be provided for disadvantaged families, children and
young people who do not currently have access to them through another source,
such as their school. Digital devices can be requested for:

care leavers
children and young people aged 0 to 19 with a social worker
disadvantaged year 10 pupils

Internet access will be provided through 4G hotspot devices for any of the
following people who do not currently have it:

care leavers
young people aged 11 to 19 with a social worker
disadvantaged year 10 pupils

People aged 16 to 19 without a suitable device for education may be eligible
for support through the 16 to 19 Bursary
Fund.


Guidance Get technology support for children and schools during coronavirus (COVID-19)
Getting laptops and tablets to children and young people
Laptops and tablets will be delivered directly to the schools or local
authorities named in the application.
Organisations can:

arrange for them to be collected by families from school (with a social worker present where relevant)
organise for them to be delivered to children’s and care leavers’ homes

This should be done in accordance with social distancing
guidelines.


Guidance Government advice on home moving during the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak
Advice to the public
4. Property searches and surveys
More detail on progressing the individual elements of the home buying and
selling or rental process and how this applies to different groups is set out
in the next section.
Your legal representative should be able to carry out searches on your
property online in order to progress your transaction and you can contact them
to discuss likely timescales.
Your surveyor can undertake surveys of the property you wish to purchase.
There are no restrictions on the types of survey that can be carried out and
you should talk to your surveyor to understand the most appropriate type of
survey for the home you intend to purchase.
On custom and self build projects, surveyors can visit plots you wish to
purchase and undertake valuations to support the release of staged payment
mortgages.

Surveyors should not enter a property where a member of the household is showing symptoms of coronavirus or self-isolating.
Where possible we encourage inspections to take place by appointment only, with one person visiting the property at any time. Surveyors should follow government guidance for professionals working in other people’s homes and guidance on social distancing.
If your home is being surveyed, you should ensure the surveyor has access to all the parts of the property they need to inspect, and make efforts to minimise contact with the surveyor, for example by staying in another room whilst they are inspecting your home.


Guidance Government advice on home moving during the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak
Advice to industry
Surveyors and EPC assessors
Surveyors and EPC assessors are free to visit properties to carry out surveys.
Surveyors should follow the latest government guidance for working in other
people’s homes. Where surveys are carried out, all public health guidance on
social distancing must be
followed. Companies should ensure employees understand how to operate safely
and communicate this to customers.

Surveyors should contact the owners of the property to be surveyed prior to the survey to make sure they understand which areas will be surveyed and ensure that all doors and access panels are open and surfaces have been cleaned with household cleaning products in line with public health advice. During a visit, members of the household should follow social distancing guidance, staying 2 metres away wherever possible, for example by staying in another room.
No work should be carried out by a person who has coronavirus symptoms, however mild or anyone who has been asked to self-isolate.
Surveyors should wash their hands immediately upon entering the property, using separate towels or paper towels which need to be washed or disposed of safely after use.
Surveyors should be clear in any reports about areas which they weren’t able to inspect due to public health limitations.


Guidance Government advice on home moving during the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak
Advice to industry
Developers and new build sales
Developers can continue with sales during this period but should ensure that
their sales teams follow the government’s safer working
guidance. Developers should inform consumers and their own staff about their
procedures, so that they are safe throughout the sales process.

Where possible, developers should promote virtual viewings.
Where physical viewings do take place, including visits to show homes, these should be by appointment with one household visiting one property at a time.
Developers should clean surfaces between viewings.
For new reservations and contracts, developers should work with conveyancers to ensure contracts take account of the risks posed by coronavirus, including building in flexibility in case move dates need to change as a result of someone falling ill with coronavirus or needing to self-isolate.
Developers should do what they can to support anyone with coronavirus symptoms or self-isolating, and those they are in chain with, to agree a new date.


Guidance Government advice on home moving during the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak
Advice to industry
Tradespeople
Moving home is often a time when people want to undertake work to improve
their new home or prepare their old home for sale. This work can involve
fitting new kitchens, redecorating, and other home improvement work. This work
is also important when people aren’t moving home. It is a key way for
households and landlords to improve the home environment and address poor
quality accommodation while also providing important work for tradespeople
who’s businesses have been affected by the virus.
Tradespeople should follow the follow the government’s safer working guidance.
Companies should ensure employees understand how to operate safely and
communicate this to customers.

Tradespeople should contact the household in advance to check that no member of the household is showing symptoms of coronavirus or self-isolating. If they are, works should be delayed.
No work should be carried out by a person who has coronavirus symptoms, however mild.
Tradespeople should wash their hands on entering the property using separate towels of paper towels which need to be washed or disposed of safely after use.
Tradespeople should seek to minimise contact with homeowners and remain 2 metres apart from householders at all times.
Tradespeople should implement a buddy system and ensure that the same people work together where this is needed.
Tradespeople should bring their own refreshments but you should ensure they have access to hand washing facilities, using separate towels or paper towels if possible, which should be washed or disposed of safely afterwards.