Prime Minister Boris Johnson Urges UK Residents to Stay Home

UK residents are being urged to stay home and work from home if possible. This request comes after bars, restaurants, and gyms have since been closed in the UK to curb the spread of COVID-19. 

In order to help businesses and workers, the government is working to implement an unprecedented package of support including a stimulus package to assist the business sector during the current pandemic, including assistance with employee sick pay. Under the package, businesses with fewer than 250 employees are expected to be eligible for reimbursement of up to two weeks of statutory sick pay for each employee due to COVID-19. 

The government is also taking extraordinary measures to curb layoffs due to the pandemic. Under the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme, the government is expected to also cover 80% of the salary of workers who would otherwise be laid off. This means employers should be able to keep employees on the payroll even if they cannot afford their salaries. 

The International Practice Group will continue to monitor COVID-19-related emergency declarations, legislation, and amendments to labor laws on a global basis.