Hospitality hit hard today

Boris Johnson  announced at a press release today that the government would like people work from home, to avoid social gatherings.

He advised Pregnant women, people in the 70 + age group and those with various health conditions should seek advise consider the advice and isolate. He said

“People in at-risk groups will be asked within days to stay home for 12 weeks.”

The key new measures are:

• Everyone should avoid gatherings and crowded places, such as pubs, clubs and theaters
• Everyone should work from home if they can
• All “unnecessary” visits to friends and relatives in care homes should cease
• By next weekend, those with the most serious health conditions must be “largely shielded from social contact for around 12 weeks”
• The UK is now “three weeks” behind Italy – the worst-hit country in Europe
• If one person in any household has a persistent cough or fever, everyone living there must stay at home for 14 days
• Those people should, if possible, avoid leaving the house “even to buy food or essentials” – but they may leave the house “for exercise and, in that case, at a safe distance from others”
• Schools will not be closed for the moment

Mr Johnson said “drastic action” was needed as the UK approaches “the fast growth part of the upward curve” in the number of cases.

This news on-top of already dwindling numbers has had instantaneous impact in the transport, travel and hospitality industries. Restaurants, Hotels, bus stations and train stations are all ghostly. Cafe left with no passing trade, no lunchtime rush. Roll vans with no lunchtime queues. What will happen to the all the staff on zero hour contracts the waiters. waitresses, cooks and kitchen staff. Will they earn enough to cover their bills?

The tourist industry supports much of the Scottish income. Edinburgh airport reported having zero passengers. The corona-virus not only brings a risk to lives but many will left loosing loved ones and loosing there income.

All the self employed individuals (child minders, masseuses, beauticians, hair dressers consultants, therapists, plumbers, electricians, gardeners) all left with no predictable income. Panicking about their health, their family, their roof over their heads.

It is a uncertain and scary time a head. We must pull together, remember those who are already at risk and pay attention to those who all of a sudden find themselves on hard times.

Some useful resources

Help line for Scottish business
https://www.gov.scot/news/covid-19-helpline-for-scottish-businesses/

320 Million support package for businesses
https://www.gov.scot/news/gbp-320-million-package-of-support-for-businesses

Call your mortgage lender, ask for a payment holiday!