coronavirus

[Futtocks]

36 minutes ago, Bleep1673 said:

This proves a point. Why do certain industries need offices, most desk based work can easily be performed from home, if the employers paid for internet & phone services at home, they would save money, keep the business afloat, and employees can work in their pyjamas. Pajamas?

The general view for us is that new offices will eventually be found, but people will be WFH more than they did before, which was usually 1-2 days per week at most. There's still a benefit to seeing and talking to people in the flesh, and we have a friendly and sociable staff. 

[JohnM]

Re WFH.

Is there an impact on council tax, home insurance, public and employers liability insurance, utility bills, restrictive covenants, data security these days?

 

[gingerjon]

Today in, "well who on earth could have predicted that", Novak Djokovic tests positive for covid-19.

If you're thinking, "Well how could that have happened?" a quick google about what this galumphing anti-vaxxer has been up to for the past two weeks will tell you.

[ckn]

1 hour ago, JohnM said:

Re WFH.

Is there an impact on council tax, home insurance, public and employers liability insurance, utility bills, restrictive covenants, data security these days?

 

We've detailed internal stuff on this. Where you're just WFH on a knowledge-worker basis stuck in front of a computer and getting no work visitors to your house:

council tax, no issue

home insurance, no issue

public and employers liability insurance, no issue as long as you've made sure your employees have good working environment if more than occasional WFH.

utility bills, no issue

restrictive covenants, it's all dependent on the covenant but it'd have to be a rare one of utmost pedantry to be a real issue

data security, a genuine issue albeit less of one in the data age of using VPNs, highly secure email and so on.

[ckn]

4 hours ago, Futtocks said:

If you can WFH, carry on. Our company, which went into lockdown before the official announcement, just cancelled our contract at the serviced offices we had in central London. We're not even looking for new premises yet, and won't be 'til real progress has been made in combating the virus.

We made the decision last month that we've no intention to go back to office working anytime in 2020.

[ckn]

 

https://twitter.com/BBCScotlandNews/status/1275391814896418816?s=20

[bulldog_paddy]

5 hours ago, Futtocks said:

If you can WFH, carry on. Our company, which went into lockdown before the official announcement, just cancelled our contract at the serviced offices we had in central London. We're not even looking for new premises yet, and won't be 'til real progress has been made in combating the virus.

im in a very similar situation. I  suspect  a lot of companies like Workspace etc may  be seeing a huge reduction in revenue for 2020/21... maybe ongoing

[Futtocks]

37 minutes ago, bulldog_paddy said:

im in a very similar situation. I  suspect  a lot of companies like Workspace etc may  be seeing a huge reduction in revenue for 2020/21... maybe ongoing

Our former offices are offering some big incentives to any existing or former tenants who can send new business in their direction.

[GUBRATS]

So it's all over ?

[DavidM]

6 minutes ago, GUBRATS said:

So it's all over ?

I need my haircut , I’ll take the risk ...

[Saintslass]

3 hours ago, GUBRATS said:

So it's all over ?

Pretty much.  Thankfully, there appears to have been no impact on the infection numbers from the beaches or marches but they're outdoors and it seems that has helped.  I think making face coverings mandatory indoors would have been a good idea and pubs reopening is a concern but then they have to open at some point unless we want a whole load of businesses to go under.  There are still quite a few sectors that can't open and I can understand clearly why they aren't opening yet.  I'll be surprised if night clubs for example ever open.

[JohnM]

14 hours ago, GUBRATS said:

So it's all over ?

Safety first. We are going to wait to see what the figures look like 3 weeks after 4th July.

[gingerjon]

8 minutes ago, Les Tonks Sidestep said:

Guidance updated (I've not read it)   https://www.gov.uk/guidance/working-safely-during-coronavirus-covid-19/the-visitor-economy

It's also now only ever going to be guidance. I'm not sure anyone actually has to do anything if they choose not to.

[JohnM]

Since this thread is slowly and surely becoming political, however mildly, I thought I'd have a say before it gets moved to the sub forum.

Pubs and other business  have had 3 months to think about this and to start to plan. Nor is it compulsory to reopen on 4th July. Personal responsibility has a huge role to play in all of this. 

Here in the UK, generally you can do whatever you want unless it expressly forbidden, whereas in othe places, you can't do anything unless it is expressly allowed. 

We seem to be becoming a country of people who just sit back and wait to be told by the govt what they can and can't do... and then moan about it being wrong. 

[ckn]

25 minutes ago, JohnM said:

Since this thread is slowly and surely becoming political, however mildly, I thought I'd have a say before it gets moved to the sub forum.

Pubs and other business  have had 3 months to think about this and to start to plan. Nor is it compulsory to reopen on 4th July. Personal responsibility has a huge role to play in all of this. 

Here in the UK, generally you can do whatever you want unless it expressly forbidden, whereas in othe places, you can't do anything unless it is expressly allowed. 

We seem to be becoming a country of people who just sit back and wait to be told by the govt what they can and can't do... and then moan about it being wrong. 

Some posts have been moved to Politics. Yours isn't political and is fine where it is.

[SSoutherner]

35 minutes ago, JohnM said:

Since this thread is slowly and surely becoming political, however mildly, I thought I'd have a say before it gets moved to the sub forum.

Pubs and other business  have had 3 months to think about this and to start to plan. Nor is it compulsory to reopen on 4th July. Personal responsibility has a huge role to play in all of this. 

Here in the UK, generally you can do whatever you want unless it expressly forbidden, whereas in othe places, you can't do anything unless it is expressly allowed. 

We seem to be becoming a country of people who just sit back and wait to be told by the govt what they can and can't do... and then moan about it being wrong. 

I suspect that is due to the worry of liability

I have seen a lot of discussion in places like chamber of commerce from solicitors offering advice on how to limit liability - if owners are worried about possibility of getting sued by workers or customers in case of transmission then they will be looking for specific guidance on how to (rather than what not to do) so they can say "we did what we are told so not out fault"

 

Hope that makes sense - I don't particularly agree with it but fear of litigation is real

[Les Tonks Sidestep]

2 minutes ago, Saint 1 said:

I have wondered about this. Does this mean that gyms etc. could actually decide to open? I expect if that is an option, their insurance may not be valid or whatever though. 

Closure is covered by Law according to the guidance:

In addition, all businesses and venues can reopen from 4 July, except for the list below, which remain closed in law:

Nightclubs

Casinos

Bowling alleys and Indoor skating rinks

Indoor play areas including soft-play

Spas

Nail bars, beauty salons and tanning salons

Massage, tattoo and piercing parlours

Indoor fitness and dance studios, and indoor gyms and sports venues/facilities

Swimming pools including water parks

Exhibition or conference centres must remain closed for events such as exhibitions or conferences, other than for those who work for the business or organisation who run the venue.

[SSoutherner]

yes i have wondered if a gym with a bar/cafe (many have them) could open as a bar and allow free access to the gym equipment with hand sanitisers and distanced stations

From Alok Sharma's answers it appears there is no "social distance Police" it requires the public to complain to council and then councils public health team to visit etc etc

[JohnM]

9 minutes ago, Saint 1 said:

I have wondered about this. Does this mean that gyms etc. could actually decide to open? I expect if that is an option, their insurance may not be valid or whatever though. 

They can't decide to open if they are forbidden, but equally, they can decide not to open even if they are allowed to. 

[SSoutherner]

2 minutes ago, JohnM said:

They can't decide to open if they are forbidden, but equally, they can decide not to open even if they are allowed to. 

They have barred Spa's opening, but the one close to me (Nirvanna Spa/Puls8 gym) has a restaurant which has always been open to the public - can the open the restaurant, a lot of places have pretty diversified businesses to allow them to make as much revenue as possible - i guess a lot will depend upon wording od the planning permission / licence they have

[Bleep1673]

I am sick to death of telling people about the 2m rule, no one seems to give a f### in Hastings about any safety measures, no one wears a mask, and the bus drivers are wishy-washy about passengers wearing masks, it seems if you have breasts, and are under 30, you dont have to wear a mask.

2 passengers on buses I have been on this week have been in their 20's & female & not wearing a mask. Ooh they have boobies, so that's ok?

[Bleep1673]

Just now, Bleep1673 said:

I am sick to death of telling people about the 2m rule, no one seems to give a f### in Hastings about any safety measures, no one wears a mask, and the bus drivers are wishy-washy about passengers wearing masks, it seems if you have breasts, and are under 30, you dont have to wear a mask.

2 passengers on buses I have been on this week have been in their 20's & female & not wearing a mask. Ooh they have boobies, so that's ok?

Ugh, next they will be saying it is racist to force people to wear masks, ok, don't wear them, contract Covid-19, pass it on to your loved ones, and all will be dead.

Wear a mask, wear gloves, wash your hands. Are you STUPID?

[gittinsfan]

I think I must be missing something here, but I'm sure someone on here will put me right.

Now football has started again,if a player tests positive he self isolates.Under test track and trace rules,why don't the whole squad have to self isolate?

[Spidey]

11 minutes ago, gittinsfan said:

I think I must be missing something here, but I'm sure someone on here will put me right.

Now football has started again,if a player tests positive he self isolates.Under test track and trace rules,why don't the whole squad have to self isolate?

I’m guessing here but in a normal track and trace situation the others that would be promoted to self isolate wouldn’t have been tested. In view of the footballer they’re all getting regular tests - that may have something to do with it

[Bedford Roughyed]