Guidance

Coronavirus (COVID-19): guidance for local government

Guidance for local councils during the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak.

Published 17 March 2020
Last updated 22 December 2020 — see all updates
From:
Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government

If you work for a public sector organisation you can sign up to MHCLG’s regular bulletin. This includes the latest government guidance, advice, communications products and other useful information about coronavirus (COVID-19).

To subscribe, please email LGEngagement@communities.gov.uk.

Business and charity support

Compliance and enforcement

Funerals and care of the deceased

Homelessness and rough sleeping

Housing

Local government finance and funding

Local restriction tiers

Parks and public spaces

Planning and building safety

PPE

Public health

Schools and education

Shielding and volunteering

Social care

Testing

Vaccines

Waste

Other

See also Public Health England’s:

Published 17 March 2020
Last updated 22 December 2020 + show all updates

  1. Updated the following sections: Business and charity support; Housing; Local government finance and funding; Local restriction tiers; Public health; Schools and education; Social care; Testing; Other.

  2. Added links to: Collection: Business support; Guidance: Local Restrictions Support Grants (LRSG) Additional Restrictions Grant (ARG): guidance for local authorities Announcement: Boost for high street as Jenrick extends opening hours for Christmas shopping; Guidance: Local restriction tiers: what you need to know; Guidance: Local restriction tiers: what you need to know – alternative formats; Guidance: Full list of local restriction tiers by area; Guidance: Tier 1: Medium alert; Guidance: Tier 2: High alert; Guidance: Tier 3: Very High alert; Tier posters: Medium, High and Very High; Statement: Returning to a regional tiered approach; Statement: Renewing regional coronavirus restrictions in England; Announcement: Tiering decisions to be made through national command structure; Announcement: More rapid COVID-19 tests to be rolled out across England; Roll out of lateral flow tests to local authorities; Policy paper: Community testing; Announcement: Community testing to help lift restrictions in highest tiers; Coronavirus (COVID-19): testing guidance for employers; Guidance: Coronavirus (COVID-19) contingency framework for education and childcare settings; Collection: COVID-19 vaccination programme; Announcement: UK authorises Pfizer/BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine; Announcement: UK medicines regulator gives approval for first UK COVID-19 vaccine; Regulatory approval of Pfizer / BioNTech vaccine for COVID-19; Guidance: COVID-19 Winter Plan

  3. Added links to: Guidance: Local COVID alert levels: what you need to know; Announcement: Prime Minister announces new local COVID Alert Levels; Announcement: Clinically extremely vulnerable receive updated advice tailored to local COVID alert levels; Announcement: Rough sleepers to be helped to keep safe this winter; Guidance: Local authority preparations for Remembrance Sunday.

  4. Added links: Business and charity support: Announcement: More domestic abuse charities to benefit from government funding boost; Announcement: Government extends support to stop business evictions this year; Guidance: Coronavirus (COVID-19): Local Restrictions Support Grant - guidance for local authorities; Compliance and enforcement: Announcement: New package to support and enforce self-isolation; Announcement: New legal duty to self-isolate comes into force; Guidance: COVID-19: Local authority compliance and enforcement grant; Housing/rough sleeping: Letter: extension of emergency measures requiring residential landlords to provide extended notice periods; Announcement: Government sets out comprehensive support for renters this winter; Announcement: 274 councils set to receive housing support for vulnerable people; Guidance: Next Steps Accommodation Programme; Local government finance and funding: Impact assessment: The impact of COVID-19 on public sector insurance; Local lockdown: Guidance: Local COVID-19 outbreaks: lessons learnt and good practice; PPE: Announcement: Huge increase in UK personal protective equipment production; Public health: Announcement: New campaign to prevent spread of coronavirus indoors this winter; Schools and education: Announcement: All possible measures to be taken before schools and colleges close; Social care: Guidance: Overview of adult social care guidance on coronavirus; COVID-19 infection rises: letter to care providers from Director of Adult Social Care Delivery; Letter: Adult social care winter plan; Testing: Policy paper: Allocation of COVID-19 swab tests in England; Announcement: NHS COVID-19 app launches across England and Wales

  5. Added links to: Announcement: New NHS Test and Trace app launched; Announcement: Stronger enforcement measures as easements resume; Guidance: Transport demand management toolkit; Research: Local authority COVID-19 financial impact monitoring information.

  6. Added: Added Policy paper: Developing NHS Test and Trace business plan; Policy paper: Job retention bonus, Guidance: Optional badges for social distancing; Guidance: Hostel services for people experiencing homelessness and rough sleeping; Guidance: Support living services; Announcement: Multi-million-pound funding package for school transport; Guidance: Holidays in areas with local coronavirus restrictions; Announcement: NHS Test and Trace service to strengthen regional contact tracing

  7. Added links to: Local restrictions and managing a local outbreak; Next Steps Accommodation Programme launched; Visiting care homes during coronavirus; Draft options for regional or local coronavirus interventions; Government’s approach to managing local coronavirus outbreaks; Reporting outbreaks of coronavirus.

  8. Added links to: Guidance: Containing and managing local coronavirus outbreaks; Announcement: Government confirms allocations of £500 million additional funding for councils; Statement: Update on randox test kits; Guidance: Face coverings; Statement: Face coverings to be mandatory in shops and supermarkets from 24 July; Q&A: Planning update on cultural venues and holiday parks; Guidance: Register your establishment for the Eat Out to Help Out Scheme; Guidance: Types and uses of coronavirus tests; Guidance: Managing beaches, the countryside and coastal areas; Guidance: Reduced VAT rate for hospitality, holiday accommodation and attractions; Guidance for public health officers: Potentially infectious persons

  9. Added links to: Collection: A Plan for Jobs; Guidance: What educational and childcare settings need to do if there is a local lockdown; Announcement: Majority of children no longer need to shield; Announcement: £1.57 billion investment to protect cultural arts and heritage institutions; Guidance: Local Lockdown social distancing; Speech: Prime Minister's statement on coronavirus 3 July 2020; Collection: Draft planning guidance to support the Business and Planning Bill; Guidance: Maintaining records of staff, customers and visitors to support NHS Test and Trace; Announcement: Regular retesting rolled out for care home staff and residents; Announcement: funding package for councils to help address coronavirus pressures and cover lost income during the pandemic

  10. Added links to: Safe use of multi-purpose community facilities; Safe use of council buildings; Funding for emergency accommodation and support for EEA rough sleepers; Making traffic regulation orders; Reopening of public toilets; Safe use of places of worship from 4 July; Small marriages and civil partnerships; Walk through local testing sites now offering appointments; Draft guidance: Pavement licenses; Government outlines support for pubs, cafes and restaurants; COVID Summer Food Fund

  11. added: COVID-19: Guidance for managing playgrounds and outdoor gyms

  12. Added links to: Opening businesses and venues from 4 July; Meeting people from outside your household from 4 July; £105 million to keep rough sleepers safe; Plans to ease guidance for those shielding

  13. Added links to: COVID-19: guidance for the safe use of places of worship during the pandemic Government provides further halt to business evictions and more support for high street firms New plans to get Britain building in coronavirus recovery

  14. Added link to: £63 million for local authorities to assist those struggling to afford food and other essentials

  15. Added links to: Prime Minister hails resilience of shielders as restrictions set to ease Face coverings to become mandatory on public transport Ban on evictions extended by 2 months to further protect renters Whole home testing rolled out to all care homes in England Government announces contingency measures for this year’s electoral canvass to address coronavirus challenge NHS volunteers extend support to frontline health and social care staff

  16. Added links: Announcement: Government launches NHS test and trace service; and Guidance: How NHS test and trace works

  17. Added links to: Announcement: Timeline for retail to reopen Guidance: Home care

  18. added links to: 6000 new supported homes as part of landmark commitment to end rough sleeping Reopening High Streets Safely Fund guidance

  19. Added links to: Everyone with symptoms now eligible for coronavirus tests Coronavirus (COVID-19): letter to social housing residents Coronavirus (COVID-19): support for care homes Care home support package backed by £600 million to help reduce coronavirus infections

  20. Added links to: Coronavirus (COVID-19): construction update Q&A Consultation and pre-decision matters Plan-making

  21. Added links to: Coronavirus (COVID-19): safer public places - urban centres and green spaces New guidance on spending time outdoors New guidance on moving home Coronavirus (COVID-19): planning update Coronavirus (COVID-19) – compulsory purchase guidance Coronavirus (COVID-19) – Community Infrastructure Levy guidance

  22. Added links to: Roadmap: The UK government’s COVID-19 recovery strategy, Guidance: staying alert and safe, Announcement: domestic abuse charities can apply for vital funds, Guidance: Apply for the Food Charities Grant Fund, Announcement: over 1 million food boxes delivered to those most at risk from coronavirus, Guidance: Coronavirus Act 2020 status table, Announcement: business rates revaluation postponed, and Letter: opening household waste and recycling centres.

  23. Added links to: Announcement: Rough sleeping taskforce created Announcement: Top up to local business grant fund scheme Letter: Testing for council workers Announcement: £6.1 million funding boost for Business Improvement Districts

  24. Added links to: Announcement: Further expansion of access to coronavirus testing Guidance: European Structural and Investment Funds

  25. Added links to: Guidance for social landlords on essential moves Guidance: Managing a funeral Announcement: Communities Secretary welcomes response to his call for parks to open

  26. Added links to: Business to receive almost £10 billion in rates relief Coronavirus (COVID-19): letter to councils about extending the statutory audit deadlines for 2019 to 2020 Actions for early years and childcare providers during the coronavirus outbreak Grant funding provided to businesses by local authorities in England

  27. Added links to: Guidance: Data collection from all education and care settings Guidance: Application of building regulations Letter: Outline of funding support to councils Guidance: Managing or organising funerals during the coronavirus pandemic

  28. Added link to: Product standards guidance for business and local authorities

  29. Added link to Coronavirus (COVID-19): letter from the Secretary of State to the local government workforce

  30. Added links to: Procurement Policy Note 02/20: Supplier relief due to COVID-19 Guidance for consumers on coronavirus (COVID-19) and food Work out 80% of your employees' wages to claim through the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme Government to extend testing for coronavirus to more frontline workers Coronavirus (COVID-19) testing: privacy information Coronavirus (COVID-19): financial support for education, early years and children’s social care Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme: step by step guide for employers Coronavirus (COVID-19): local death management Government sets out plans to ensure bereaved families can attend funerals during pandemic Government pledges extra £1.6 billion for councils

  31. Added links to: 3/2020: Council Tax information letter - a note on the technical implementation of the £500 million hardship fund. Coronavirus (COVID-19): adult social care action plan. Coronavirus (COVID-19): pledge to ensure necessary building safety improvements can continue. Councils given greater financial relief against cash flow pressures.

  32. Added links to: Coronavirus (COVID-19) information leaflet Coronavirus (COVID-19): getting tested Coronavirus (COVID-19): social care guidance

  33. Added links to: COVID-19: PPE plan COVID-19: PPE hub COVID-19: PPE guidance from Public Health England

  34. Added link to: Coronavirus (COVID-19): providing unpaid care

  35. Added links to COVID-19: changes to neighbourhood planning COVID-19: advice to local authorities on prioritising waste collections

  36. Added letter to councils about local authority meetings and postponement of elections.

  37. Added a link to COVID-19 health, care and volunteer workers parking pass and concession.

  38. Added links to: Guidance for care of the deceased with suspected or confirmed coronavirus (COVID-19) New advice for safe funerals after discussions with faith leaders COVID-19: guidance for the public on mental health and wellbeing Coronavirus (COVID-19): advice for people with animals COVID-19: guidance for domestic abuse safe accommodation provision Coronavirus (COVID-19): Energy Performance Certificates Councils given new powers to hold public meetings remotely Cash support for food redistribution during coronavirus outbreak

  39. Added links to: Coronavirus (COVID-19): admission and care of people in care homes COVID-19: infection prevention and control £300 million announced for community pharmacies to support them during coronavirus outbreak Business rates: coronavirus response and updated guidance Planning update letter (March 2020)

  40. Added links to: Coronavirus (COVID-19): guidance on vulnerable children and young people Coronavirus (COVID-19): business support grant funding - guidance for local authorities Coronavirus (COVID-19): notification of data controllers to share information

  41. Added link to: Changes to the Care Act 2014 to help local authorities prioritise care and support during the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak.

  42. Added link to MHCLG's daily bulletin.

  43. Added link to: Allocations of additional funding to local authorities.

  44. Added links to: Remediation and COVID-19 Building Safety update – 27 March 2020 COVID-19 and renting: guidance for landlords, tenants and local authorities

  45. Added link to: Fraud control in emergency management: COVID-19 UK Government guide

  46. Added links to: COVID-19 advice for accommodation providers COVID-19: guidance on shielding and protecting people defined on medical grounds as extremely vulnerable

  47. Added Guidance setting out details of eligibility and delivery of the Small Business Grants Fund (SBGF) and Retail, Hospitality and Leisure Grant Fund (RHLGF); Guidance for employees, employers and businesses in providing advice about the coronavirus; Guidance for providers of safe accommodation with support for victims of domestic abuse and their children; Extra protection for businesses with ban on evictions for commercial tenants who miss rent payments; Guidance to billing authorities on council tax hardship fund; Planning Inspectorate guidance on site visits, hearings, inquiries and events.

  48. Added links to: Business rates: nursery (childcare) discount 2020 to 2021: coronavirus response – local authority guidance; Guidance for businesses and other venues subject to further social distancing measures; and Major new measures to protect people at highest risk from Coronavirus

  49. Added link to Guidance about maintaining educational provision for schools, colleges and local authorities.

  50. Added links on: Guidance for schools and local authorities on free school meals arrangements during the coronavirus outbreak; and Procurement Policy Note that gives information and guidance on public procurement regulations and responding to the coronavirus outbreak.

  51. Added links to: Business rates: expanded retail discount 2020 to 2021: coronavirus response – local authority guidance; Complete ban on evictions and additional protection for renters; COVID-19: ethical framework for adult social care; and COVID-19: residential care, supported living and home care guidance.

  52. Added links to 'Government to grant permission for pubs and restaurants to operate as takeaways as part of coronavirus response' and '£3.2 million emergency support for rough sleepers during coronavirus outbreak'.

  53. First published.

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