The impact of COVID 19 / Coronavirus is unprecedented – and at Resolver we’ve received more enquires and requests for help in the last few weeks than we ever have about any other subject.
This situation is unique, in that the official guidance is changing and updating all the time. Our best advice? Check the news (official news sources, that is) for the latest updates.
Resolver is working with the media, experts, charities and Government organisations to bring you clear, accurate guidance. As part of this, we’re pulling together a list of guidance for you on a range of subjects which we’ll be updating regularly.
Guidance and advice
Health and the Coronavirus
The Guardian have published a great article on how long the Coronavirus lives on surfaces.
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2020/mar/31/how-long-does-coronavirus-live-on-different-surfaces?CMP=Share_iOSApp_Other
Money, finances and renting
MoneySavingExpert: Coronavirus Financial Help & Rights: https://www.moneysavingexpert.com/news/2020/03/uk-coronavirus-help-and-your-rights/
Check out our guide to rent holidays, evictions and more: http://news.resolver.co.uk/rent-and-coronavirus/
Resolver’s guide to furloughing: http://news.resolver.co.uk/what-is-furloughing/
Travel and holidays
Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO): Travel advice: Coronavirus (COVID-19) https://www.gov.uk/guidance/travel-advice-novel-coronavirus
The UK’s top travel expert Simon Calder has come up with ten ‘most asked’ questions about holidays. And yes, he calls out travel agents not giving cash refunds for package holidays.
MoneySavingExpert has this fantastic guide: https://www.moneysavingexpert.com/news/2020/02/coronavirus-travel-help-and-your-rights/.
Government advice
Gov.UK: Coronavirus (COVID-19): UK government response: https://www.gov.uk/government/topical-events/coronavirus-covid-19-uk-government-response
1.5 million people in the UK are classified as ‘extremely vulnerable’. Carers and people in this category have been concerned about the help that will be available to them. This has now been clarified here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/guidance-on-shielding-and-protecting-extremely-vulnerable-persons-from-covid-19/guidance-on-shielding-and-protecting-extremely-vulnerable-persons-from-covid-19
People who are extremely vulnerable should have received a letter confirming they are on a list by Sunday. If they don’t, they can register here: https://www.gov.uk/coronavirus-extremely-vulnerable
NHS
Medial help and advice: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/
Support for people with medical conditions or disabilities
BBC Ouch! Podcasts and updating guidance: https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p02r6yqw/episodes/downloads
NHS guidance for people with significant medical conditions: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-guidance-on-social-distancing-and-for-vulnerable-people/guidance-on-social-distancing-for-everyone-in-the-uk-and-protecting-older-people-and-vulnerable-adults
Older people
Age UK: Online guidance https://www.ageuk.org.uk/information-advice/health-wellbeing/conditions-illnesses/coronavirus/
Government advice for businesses and employees
COVID-19: guidance for employees, employers and businesses: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/guidance-to-employers-and-businesses-about-covid-19
The Government’s guidance for self-employed people was released last night and it’s safe to say it proved to be a bit contentious. The main issue is funds will not be available until June at the earliest. Here’s the initial statement: https://www.gov.uk/government/
Coronavirus shielding
What is shielding?
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-51997151
Utilities
Check out our guide to broadband and the coronavirus here!
OFCOM have come out with a great range of tips to help you keep your broadband from buckling under the pressure. Some are pretty obvious, but did you know using the microwave can have an impact on your signal?
https://www.ofcom.org.uk/about-ofcom/latest/features-and-news/helping-broadband-and-mobile-users-stay-connected
Supermarkets
https://www.theguardian.com/business/2020/mar/19/uk-supermarket-restrictions-what-you-need-to-know
Income Protection
Positive stories
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2020/03/21/positive-coronavirus-stories-saturday-21-march/
https://www.bbc.co.uk/newsround/51958714
Heartwarming news of the day. Over a quarter of a million people have signed up to help the NHS, collect and deliver goods and prescriptions and drive vulnerable people. Here’s how to do it: Volunteer to help support the NHS https://www.goodsamapp.org/nhs
Coronavirus benefits
https://www.turn2us.org.uk/get-support/Benefits-and-Coronavirus-Sickness
https://www.moneyadviceservice.org.uk/en/articles/coronavirus-and-your-money
Needless to say, we’ve had tons of enquiries about accessing the benefits system. It’s not easy with long waits to register, but here’s how you do it: https://www.
Coronavirus and the media
No matter what your political persuasion, the national media are working flat out to bring you the latest news and updates on the virus. We’re working with all the major broadcasters and papers on their leading stories. Keep an eye on the updates and don’t forward fake news!
BBC Coronavirus podcast: https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p05299nl
Daily Mail: https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/coronavirus/index.html
The Guardian: https://www.theguardian.com/world/coronavirus-outbreak
The Telegraph: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/coronavirus/
The Mirror: https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/
The Times: https://www.thetimes.co.uk/topic/coronavirus
The Sun: https://www.thesun.co.uk/topic/coronavirus/
The Express: https://www.express.co.uk/latest/coronavirus
Broadcasters
BBC News: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/explainers
ITV News: https://www.itv.com/news/
Sky News: https://news.sky.com/
Fact checkers
Full Fact: https://fullfact.org/
Snopes: https://www.snopes.com/