UK

UK quarantine to go ahead; ‘air bridges’ a possibility

Jim Stein June 1, 2020

LONDON (UK) – Britain still intends to go ahead with a COVID-19 quarantine later this month for those arriving in the United Kingdom but is looking at “air bridges” with certain countries, Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s spokesman said on Monday. “It’s

UK

UK to inform employers to aid funding coronavirus job safety net

Jim Stein May 29, 2020

LONDON (UK) – British finance minister Rishi Sunak will tell employers on Friday how much they must contribute to the government’s hugely expensive wage subsidy programme from August, a prospect that some firms say will lead to more job losses. Sunak will say companies must pay between 20% and 30% of the costs of the […]

UK

PM Johnson: Groups of six people can meet outside starting Monday

Jim Stein May 29, 2020

LONDON (UK) – Starting Monday, up to 6 people groups can meet outside maintaining social distancing, as announced by Britain’s Prime Minister Boris Johnson. PM Johnson confirmed that coronavirus tests had been met to ensure the further ease of the coronavirus lockdown. “These changes mean that friends and family can start to meet their loved […]

UK

Ryanair’s holiday bookings surge, sees UK dropping quarantine

Nia N May 27, 2020

DUBLIN (UK) – Ryanair expects Britain to join other European nations in dropping COVID-19 quarantine plans in the coming weeks, its CEO told Reuters on Wednesday, as he reported a “big surge” in holiday bookings from the country. Last week, Britain announced a 14-day quarantine from June 8 for all air passenger arrivals, including its […]

UK

UK to require employers to pay 20-30% of furloughed wage cost

Nia N May 23, 2020

LONDON (UK) – The United Kingdom has drawn up plans to require employers to cover 20% to 30% of furloughed employees’ wages from August to reduce the vast burden of the coronavirus crisis on government finances, The Times newspaper reported. The United Kingdom on May 12 extended its job retention scheme – the centrepiece of […]

UK

UK to introduce quarantine for international arrivals from June 8

Nia N May 23, 2020

LONDON (UK) – Britain will introduce a COVID-19 quarantine for travellers arriving from abroad from June 8, interior minister Priti Patel said on Friday, a measure that airlines have warned will devastate their industry. All international arrivals, including returning Britons, will have to self-isolate for 14 days and provide details of where they will be […]

UK

UK coronavirus death toll rises 351 to 36,393

Nia N May 22, 2020

LONDON (UK) – The United Kingdom’s death toll from confirmed cases of COVID-19 rose by 351 to 36,393 as of 1600 GMT on May 21, the health ministry said. A total of 254,195 people had tested positive for the coronavirus as of 0800 GMT on May 22. (Photos syndicated via Reuters)

UK

UK set to outline quarantine measures for international arrivals

Nia N May 22, 2020

LONDON (UK) – The United Kingdom will later on Friday spell out details of its plans for a COVID-19 quarantine for travellers arriving from overseas, a measure that airlines have warned will devastate their industry. The government is expected to announce that all international arrivals, including returning Britons, will be required to self-isolate for 14 […]

UK

UK risks slow COVID recovery, all stimulus options under review – BoE’s Ramsden

Nia N May 22, 2020

LONDON (UK) – Britain’s economy could be facing a slower recovery from its deep coronavirus slump than the Bank of England suggested this month and all stimulus options, including sub-zero interest rates, should be considered, a BoE deputy governor said. But Dave Ramsden told Reuters the issues around taking rates below zero were complex and […]

UK

UK borrows 62 billion pounds in April alone as it fights COVID crisis

Nia N May 22, 2020

LONDON (UK) – Britain’s government borrowed more than it has done in any month on record in April, adding 62.1 billion pounds to its budget deficit, as it sought to tackle the coronavirus crisis through higher spending. (Photos syndicated via Reuters)