Welcome to the Coronavirus Hub (Last Updated: 11/01/2021)
Accessible to all, it is here that we will be sharing the very latest Government advice, together with business support tools, guidance and best practice. This page shows the latest headline announcements made by the UK and the devolved nation governments. For full details of the latest restrictions for each devolved nation please see the devolved nations tab on the right hand side. For the latest financial guidance please use the FAQ tab found on the right of this page and then select Financial Guidance.
This webpage is being updated constantly. So please keep an eye on the information categorised to the right-hand side, where you will find FAQs and where applicable, a list of British Marine members who are able to provide you with 1-2-1 support.
12/01/2021 - Government guidance on boat maintenance (see below)
11/01/2021 - British Marine receives more detailed guidance from the UK government on boat usage during the lockdown period (see below)
05/01/2021 - England announces national lockdown
05/01/2021 - Scotland announces national lockdown
19/12/2020 - PM announces new Tier 4 for London and parts of the South East (see below for further guidance) WITHDRAWN see above updates for latest restrictions and guidance
27/11/2020 - England announces tier rules to be implemented from 02/12/2020 (see below) WITHDRAWN
18/11/2020 Scotland announces 11 areas to go into tier 4 restrictions (WITHDRAWN due to newer lockdown announcement)
05/11/2020 - Extension of the furlough scheme until March 2021
03/11/2020 - The latest financial packages due to the new 4 week lockdown
03/11/2020 Updated Guidance for Marina Operators from TYHA and British Marine
15/10/20 - Updates on the latest Scottish restrictions announced 7/10/2020
15/10/20 - Maintaining records of staff customers and visitors to support NHS Test and Trace - Operations Guidance
15/10/20 - Defer your Self Assessment payment on account due to coronavirus - Financial Guidance
15/10/20 - Links to detailed guidance on the Local COVID Alert Levels Added - Operations Guidance
13/10/20 - What help is available for the self-employed - Financial Guidance
13/10/20 - System of local COVID alert levels in England - Operations Guidance
13/10/20 - Visa Guidance - Operations Guidance
13/10/20 - Test and Trace Support Payment Scheme - Financial Guidance
Don't forget, our Membership Services team is also fully operational and on standby to take your calls (01784 223663/ membership@britishmarine.co.uk). We offer a wide range of services including legal advice, technical guidance and crisis management support.
Government guidance on boat maintenance during lockdown
Maintaining second homes, caravans, boats and other assets is not generally a reasonable excuse for leaving home. However, people may leave home to secure their second home, caravan or boat in order to avoid it posing a risk of harm/injury to themselves or others.
This guidance is taken directly from the gov.uk site found here
Latest Government advice for recreational boating
British Marine have had it confirmed by the UK Government that boating is a form of exercise and therefore is an accepted excuse to leave home in England. There are several important caveats to this, primarily that members of the public cannot travel out of their local area to reach their vessel and that all exercise must be done in line with government guidance i.e. can only be done with members of 1 household/bubble or one other and social distancing is maintained. Members of the public are urged to check with the local navigation authority, harbour authorities and the Marinas for local rules before travelling to their vessels.
DfT released the following statement:
"We have received clarification on guidance relating to boating and leisure activities from CO/DCMS.
Therefore, we can confirm that boating is allowed as exercise (in England). This covers all sailing boats/yachts as long as they abide by the gathering limits, social distance rules and stay local rules.”
British Marine would like to remind all boaters of their responsibility to stay safe, abide by the guidance and laws (including local restrictions) and keep others around them safe when participating on any on water exercise.
Boris Johnson announces England to be placed into national lockdown from 05/01/2021
Boris Johnson has announced that England will go into a full national lockdown from the 05/01/2021. This will replace the tiered system until further notice. This means that there is a stay at home notice unless for essential reasons.
Hospitality and non essential retail sectors must now shut again unless they are providing takeaway food and non alcoholic drinks services (until 11pm) or click and collect/delivery.
Employees must now work from home where possible. Where this is not possible you can still travel into work.
For Full details and what this means for the marine industry please go to the England specific page under the 'Detailed Guidance for each devolved nation' tab
Scotland Announces National Lockdown from 05/01/2021
Mainland Scotland is to go into lockdown from 05/01/2021 with a new legal requirement forbidding anyone from leaving their home except for essential purposes.
Amongst the limited reasonable excuses to leave your home are provisions for caring, outdoor exercise and to go to work, but only if that work cannot be done from home.
Please visit the Scotland Tab for further information.
Financial help with the new lockdowns:
The Chancellor has announced grants for businesses to help with the latest lockdown restrictions:
The one-off top-ups will be granted to closed businesses as follows:
https://www.gov.uk/government/news/46-billion-in-new-lockdown-grants-to-support-businesses-and-protect-jobs
Further details on the grants will follow in guidance to accompany this announcement
Chancellor Rishi Sunak announces an extension to the furlough scheme until the end of March 2021
The UK government today announced the following:
- Extend the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme further, until the end of March
- Not pay the Job Retention Bonus in February but instead redeploy a retention incentive at the right time
- Increase the third self-employed grant, covering November to January, from 55% to 80% of trading profits.
- Increase the upfront guarantee of funding for the devolved administrations from £14bn to £16bn, on top of their Spring Budget 20 funding.
For more details please see the Financial Guidance under the FAQ tab on the right of this page.
What help is available from the Government?
British Marine would encourage its members to visit our list of Frequently Asked Questions for further information on the support available and details of how they should access this support.
Full details of the measures announced by Government can be found here.
How British Marine can help you
We would encourage our members to read the most up to date information and advice from the Government. Members can visit the dedicated NHS webpage which provides further information on symptoms and what to do if you think you might have the Coronavirus.
For advice on hire conditions and cancellations related to COVID-19, members should contact our membership services team for details of the Epoq legal helpline.
Please contact us If your business is affected to ensure we can discuss the support available with you.
The information on this webpage is provided as general guidance. Although British Marine tries to ensure that all of the information is accurate and up to date, this cannot be guaranteed owing to the very fast moving situation. Members should review the Government’s full guidance themselves by following the links in this webpage and should keep up to date with the Government’s latest announcements. The information on this webpage should not be construed as constituting professional advice and we would always advise that members consider seeking appropriate professional advice before taking or refraining from taking any action.
30 Jul 2020
British Marine members Sunseeker International and Wave International are working together to ensure Sunseeker boat owners enjoy the finest quality fresh water on board whilst protecting and sustaining the marine environment through a range of filter systems now being fitted on all its new build boats.
30 Jul 2020
The UK Government has announced £20 million of new funding to support small businesses as they recover from COVID-19.
29 Jul 2020
British Marine is now inviting your feedback on HMRC’s proposals to remove the red diesel entitlement for use in private pleasure craft.
29 Jul 2020
British Marine’s Public Affairs, Policy & Research team have published a range of easy-to-use economic impact calculators for British Marine members to download and use to quantify their business’s economic output.
29 Jul 2020
British Marine is pleased to share the news that Maritime UK, the umbrella body for the £46bn maritime sector, has today (Thursday 30 July) launched a BAME in Maritime Network as part of the Diversity in Maritime programme.
28 Jul 2020
The UK Government has published a draft Statutory Instrument which is designed, once implemented, to restrict the sale of some types of solid fuels which are used for domestic purposes. The purpose is to improve air quality and prevent the release of harmful air pollutants.
27 Jul 2020
The Health & Safety Executive (HSE) has posted some key information on COVID workplace and transport safety and Brexit following the end of the transition period.
23 Jul 2020
HMRC reverse their decision on the applicability of the VAT rate reduction.
15 Jul 2020
On 8 July 2020, the Chancellor of the Exchequer provided an update on the measures HM Treasury would take to support businesses following the COVID-19 pandemic.
13 Jul 2020
The HSE has released a survey that focuses on the response and information given by the Government to the marine industry during the COVID-19 pandemic.