This post provides a list of links and resources relating to coronavirus. The information from the official sources can assist communications practitioners working in the local public sector and other fields. A full content list is below the News and Communications Guides sections. Share this resource available at:https://bit.ly/lps_coronavirus
Last update: 10 August 2020, 8am – we’re focusing on the items communicators have requested. Where there are now government web pages which provide updates per topic, we now link to those as there is no longer a need to sort that material for practitioners on this site. We are currently building new sections of this resource and migrating the site, please let us know if you need some information urgently and can not find it. Please refresh your browser to view updates. Also check our Twitter feed @CIPRLPS and our news stories where we are also sharing examples and case studies you are sending in.
draft options for regional or local coronavirus interventions
Government’s approach to managing local coronavirus outbreaks
reporting outbreaks of coronavirus.
the CIPR LPS’ Local Government section for more info including grant funding (figures for England). Also information on arrangements to support rough sleepers.
North of England restrictions. Updated 7 August to include Preston. From 31 July 2020, if you live in these parts of Greater Manchester, East Lancashire and West Yorkshire, these rules come into force when meeting people who you do not live with. Separate guidance advises on the similar rules imposed in Leicester.
UK Government announcements section – for specific areas, visit the Guidance to Sectors in the content list below. We are prioritising the areas which communicators have told us they need.
Working safely during coronavirus, Gov.uk. This page focuses on how to make your workplace COVID-19 secure in England. First published 11 May 2020, updated 24 June 2020. Updated 23 July to include changes on working from home (sections 1 &2), when to wear face coverings (section 6.1), amended guidance on disposing of face coverings and PEE (section 5.1) and work-related travel (section 7.2).
Guidance on working safely during the coronavirus outbreak for Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland. More in the Workplace and business sector sections.
Coronavirus and travel to work, Office of National Statistics, 23 June 2020. It provides data on method of travel to work and distance of travel to work split by industry sectors and workplace location.
A help guide to communicating death of a colleague is in the section on dealing with the loss of life. – Additional help on IC information in the ‘Communicating with your people’ section in the contents list below or searching this post using #InternalComms
Media interviews and guidelines section – information from the NUJ, IFJ, the police and broadcasters – guidance documents with thanks to the Cardiff School of Journalism, Media & Culture
Using this resource
Table of Contents
Share your templates and case studies to help and encourage other communicators
How this guide can support you as a practitioner in your work:
If you have examples of public information approaches which could be adapted or used by other authorities and trusts, you can share them with the CIPR LPS Group.
Menu/ Contents list
You can click on the section in the table of contents below to help you find information you need.
Updates
We continue to update sections to respond to the current requests of communicators. – From June 2020, where Government websites have now included clear sections for sectoral or data information, we will link to those rather than providing a daily segmented link. – We provide PDF downloads for those who need them for accessibility or IT needs. – If you can’t locate something, please add a comment to this page and we will aim to help you as soon as we can.
Thanks and information on source material
– This resource is provided by practitioners giving their time and professional skills to help others during the emergency. – The information on this page was current at time of publication. It only links or provides information to key official sources on public health, which have the responsibility for the content.
‘Keep donating blood for the NHS’ and find out how you can promote the message (DoH confirmed travelling for donating blood classed as essential travel 24/3/2020).
The NHS’s public information description for COVID-19: “A new illness that can affect your lungs and airways. It’s caused by a virus called coronavirus.”
12 March 2020: UK moves from ‘contain’ to ‘delay’ phase in its response to the coronavirus outbreak (Gov.uk, 12 March 2020). The UK Chief Medical Officers have raised the risk to the UK from moderate to high. The statement includes information on next steps in the coming few weeks.
11 March 2020: WHO declares coronavirus a pandemic.
UK Government and Department of Health announcements
The latest official links which are likely to be of relevance to communicators are being added into the topic based sections. This is to respond to the changing way and type of information communicators are needing as the emergency continues.
Check the content list at the top of the page for the area you want. The links here are moved to topic list during each week.
UK Government announcements section. For specific areas, visit the Guidance to Sectors in the content list. We are prioritising the areas which communicators have told us they need
As the UK Government has now created a collection of slides and datasets on its website and updating these daily, we no longer need to add these individually to our resource for communicators as they are published. We will continue to add the regular graphics as our readers find these helpful.
The list below of previous daily updates is for archive purposes as communicators have requested we keep them available at this time. March to May 2020 slides and datasets have been moved to an archive folder.
Key to titles of Ministers and NHS spokespeople
Professor Chris Whitty is Chief Medical Officer (CMO) for England, the UK government’s Chief Medical Adviser and head of the public health profession
Sir Patrick Vallance is Chief Scientific Adviser. He is the Government Chief Scientific Adviser (GCSA) and Head of the Government Science and Engineering (GSE) profession.
Situation Reports, World Health Organization – these are now updated daily by WHO. The report show data reported by different nations and the epidemic curve of cases by date of report and WHO region.
What does ‘pandemic’ mean?
The World Health Organization (WHO) confirmed why the coronavirus was now a pandemic in its press conference. This explanation is useful to communicators and the media. (11 May 2020)
Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director General of the WHO, said: “Pandemic is not a word to use lightly or carelessly. It is a word that, if misused, can cause unreasonable fear, or unjustified acceptance that the fight is over, leading to unnecessary suffering and death.
”Describing the situation as a pandemic does not change WHO’s assessment of the threat posed by this #coronavirus. It doesn’t change what WHO is doing, and it doesn’t change what countries should do.”
World Health Organization
The WHO’s press conference summary is segmented into Tweets in a thread. Each has a social media graphic to help with messaging and reuse by other communications teams. View the @WHO Twitter thread.
16 April 2020: G7 leaders update on coronavirus pandemic – discussion included development and production of coronavirus treatments and a vaccine, risk posed to developing nations, working together, financial measures relating to the impact of coronavirus.
January 2020: The spread of the new coronavirus disease was declared a global health emergency by the World Health Organization. The NHS moved to its highest level for emergencies, national incident response level 4. This move was to increase preparation for a potential outbreak.
Statements from the UK Government Press conferences
Guidance documents which are likely to be useful for public sector and organisational communicators are also categorised for ease in the sector section of this resource. The below will be filed into categories as needed.
15 March 2020: UK Government to hold daily press conference. This will be hosted by the Prime Minister and senior Ministers on the coronavirus pandemic, supported by scientific and medical experts including the Chief Medical Office and Chief Scientific Adviser. The Downing Street’s statement said: “The press conferences form part of the government’s commitment to clarity and transparency in order to ensure British people are fully informed about the steps they can take to protect themselves and others.”
Community Engagement (RCCE) Action Plan Guidance for COVID-19 (launched 16 March 2020). This was released by WHO, the International Federation of the Red Cross (IFRC) and UNICEF. This tool is designed to ‘support risk communication, community engagement staff and responders working with national health authorities, and other partners to develop, implement and monitor an effective action plan for communicating effectively with the public, engaging with communities, local partners and other stakeholders to help prepare and protect individuals, families and the public’s health during early response to COVID-19.’
We will continue to update this during the public health outbreak. More details on how you can share your learning will be available later this week.
Emma Thwaites, from the team, said: “This is a set of tips and lessons that have been learned from people who’ve worked in crisis communications. We hope that our collective experience might be of some help to those dealing with COVID-19. It has been written to support people working at all levels in communications in local public sector communications. We know that some of it will already be part of people’s daily professional practice.”
CIPR public sector guidance on crisis communications debrief and review during the crisis. Produced by the CIPR Local Public Services Committee’s Advisory Group, 6 May 2020
Social media assets, web graphics and videos are available from the NHS and the World Health Organization’s public health campaigns for communicators to use and share in their channels and communications networks.
Using the information and graphics from the official sources can support practitioners in communicating the accurate picture to your organisations and stakeholders.
Kerry Sheehan, Chair of the CIPR Local Public Services group, said: “There’s lots of confusion circulating about the virus on the internet and media. Our committee is working to support you as practitioners in this uncertain time in your front line work keeping people informed and safe.
She added: “It is vital to check key official information regularly throughout the day to avoid missing important information or updates you may need to communicate further to your stakeholders. New official public information may be available for authorities to help share locally and regionally.” (4 March 2020)
Kerry highlighted: “In addition to keeping up-to-date on the official current status, it is vital to keep up with the latest officially-sanctioned terms used to communicate.” (11 March 2020)
Keep key public-facing and staff information points updated. It helps avoid misinformation filling the gaps.
Telephone lines
Many public sector switchboards have been updating their phone lines with recorded information to help keep residents and visitors informed. Messages can include information reassuring the public that everything is open as normal, who to contact if you have cold or flu symptoms, and reminders to wash hands thoroughly. These can also contain signposts to official information sources.
Consider adding information messages to key internal phone numbers, such as the HR switchboard, to help keep staff informed. #InternalComms
Kerry Sheehan, Chair of the LPS Group, added: “These kind of messages can help reduce a lot of phone traffic. Remember to update these messages regularly and consider including a date of the recording to show people it is up to date. This can help the public feel they are being kept informed.”
Posting questions and answers can be useful for both internal and external audiences. Many organisations are using Intranets to link to both external questions and answers from the key public health providers, arrangements for their organisation, and local response. These combined with staff specific FAQs on organisation’s intranets and internal communications systems, can help keep employees informed and reduce calls and emails. #InternalComms
CIPR LPS Chair Kerry Sheehan said: “With an increase in reported cases, your organisations may see an escalation in calls and emails in relation to it and what precautions you are taking. A way to continue to reassure people you serve is to include FAQs easily visible and accessible from your website homepages.” Kerry shared an example of the type of question and answer which public sector organisations could consider and adapt to help respond to queries.
Q. How are you preparing for an outbreak? A. We are following all UK Government and Public Health guidance. We have robust processes in place, and an experienced team capable of dealing with the outbreak of an infectious disease. We are communicating regularly with our staff and residents/ stakeholders. Across our sites / services, we are displaying Public Health coronavirus information… Read more…
Example only
Digital channels
The CIPR LPS team suggests:
clear signposting on websites and social channels
adding top stories, announcements, home page and key webpage promotions
link these major promotional spaces to key public health information and to the relevant public sector pages on the coronavirus and to official local response sources
remembering your internal stakeholders and suppliers #InternalComms
Kerry added that HR and internal communications teams need to be clear on staff policies as well as other information provision. She said: “We also need to look after our comms teams and make sure they are supported.”
Many public services are part of a wider emergency networks. Check your response teams, comms leads or duty comms officer have access to up to date contacts and are well-briefed on the process for mobilisation.
More on resources for digital channels in the Tackling Misinformation section below.
PR articles on communicating during the COVID-19 crisis
A step approach is recommended by CIPR LPS committee member, Dan Slee.
“There are two tasks public sector communicators need to do. Firstly have a clear line. Secondly, and this is really important, take that line to where people are and in a format that works. Not everyone will come to you. In fact, most people will not. You will need to go to them. If that means presenting that line in slightly different ways for different platforms, then do it. Text, an image or video? That’s fine.
This is where your expertise as a communicator comes in. But date stamp your content too. So people can see the call to do X was on 5 March 2020, so they’re less likely to start to follow it at the end of April.”
The National Union of Journalists (NUJ) has produced a page for media guidelines including requirements for journalists covering the crisis to carry an official Press Card. This follows discussion between the NUJ and the National Police Chiefs Council (NPCC). The statement from the NUJ, 31 March 2020. This page also includes the NPCC’s guidance on working with journalists during the coronavirus outbreak. These confirm journalists are classed as key workers. The guidelines have been circulated to, and adopted by police forces in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.
OFCOM’s policies and guidelines on coronavirus information (24 March 2020). It states: “Accuracy in broadcasting is essential, and we will expedite any standards enforcement cases involving potentially harmful broadcast content relating to the coronavirus.”
More media relations and filming advice
The Cardiff School of Journalism, Media and Culture has produced advice for and on dealing with the media during the COVID-19 outbreak. Thanks to the commissioners, the Welsh NHS Confederation, the guidance documents have been shared for inclusion in this CIPR LPS resource.
The report was led by Professor Karin Wahl-Jorgensen at the School and includes contributions from CIPR member Dr Susan Kinnear amongst others. The School advises that experts involved in preparing this document are independent from the NHS, and the document does not reflect official NHS policy.
The media handling document provides guidelines on how to work with news organisations to “shield health care organisations and staff from unnecessary additional pressures, and to ensure that information transmitted to the media and the public is considered and accurate.”
The Cardiff School of Journalism, Media and Culture has also made available advice for journalists which it produced for the Welsh NHS Confederation. This includes:
The World Health Organization with UNICEF and CIFRC have produced a document to help communicators, media and governments to be aware of and take action to reduce any social stigma which becomes associated with COVID-19. Document from WHO (PDF opens in a new window).
This vital document explains the use of words, the effect of stigma, how to address the issues and myths.
The WHO has provided downloadable graphics you can use in your digital and print communications correcting misinformation which is currently circulating on these topics.
One of its key messages is to encourage: “People of all ages to take steps to protect themselves from the virus, for example by following good hand hygiene and good respiratory hygiene.”
Pointing communities to correct information
SMS
Coronavirus advice via SMS messages – the UK Government is working with mobile phone providers to issue the latest stay at home guidance direct by SMS to individuals (24 March 2020).
Facebook, WhatsApp and Twitter
The World Health Organization is bringing COVID-19 factors to billions via the WhatsApp, an online, instant messaging tool. (19 March 2020).
The WHO release states: “The service can be accessed through a link that opens a conversation on WhatsApp. Users can simply type “hi” to activate the conversation, prompting a menu of options that can help answer their questions about COVID-19.” The application uses machine learning technology.
The UK Department of Health and Social Care is also using WhatsApp to help spread the stay at home and isolation messages (22 March 2020).
To help deal with the level of misinformation, Twitter and Facebook are directing users searching for the coronavirus to official public health social channels, such as, the Department of Health and Social Care, and the NHS.
Facebook has linked in with the NHS, WHO and other public bodies to promote ‘accurate health information’ about the virus. The guide also gives examples of the existing Facebook tools community administrators can use to help tackle comments giving misinformation. It includes a section from the WHO on managing anxiety and stigma.
Facebook is also giving advice on setting up social learning units to help community pages direct their followers to information from WHO and other official sources.
Belfast Health & Social Care NHS Trust produced a great example of how you can use Twitter to make powerful and visual campaign messages during the outbreak. Using key messages from its respiratory team, it created a video under 3 minutes of how staying at home will save lives.
It is also removing COVID-19 accounts from the recommendations list unless they are posted by a ‘credible’ health organization.
Users and communicators will be able to create a shared story to encourage others to social distance and to share a ‘Stay Home’ sticker.
There will be a new way to browse Instagram with friends using video chat.
TikTok
The WHO communicators and design team created video materials specifically designed for the TikTok, a social platform for short form video. WHO’s TikTok channel includes videos discussing measures people can take to protect their own health and steps to take before putting on a mask. This communications approach aims to tackle fake stories.
TikTok has created a ‘stay at home’ message to help official public health agencies (29 March 2020). It says it is prioritising videos from official sources.
The Department of Health and Social Care has partnered with TikTok and Dr Alex George to share handwashing tips. (30/3/2020). Dr George works for A&E in the Lewisham and Greenwich NHS Trust, in London.
Canva
The online graphics creation platform has produced resources which can be shared and adapted by communicators and community groups for print, web or social. It has worked with the WHO to produce the templates. Many organisations are finding templates like this useful for their internal communications too.
It is encouraging existing and new users to “share accurate information from the World Health Organization and spread messages of support to your community, here are some resources that can help during this tough time.’
Google
Google is providing users with official key links to help them navigate through the amount of information being published.
Google’s Help and Information section appears in its search results for the coronavirus (COVID-19)
The Government reminds the public: “Just because a story appears online, doesn’t make it true. The internet is great, but it can also be used to spread disinformation in the form of misleading news and content.” The site features a SHARE checklist which can be used to evaluate information before individuals share, like or comment on it.
Source
Headline
Analyse
Retouched
Error
The site also has includes tools, games and websites to help the public better understand and spot disinformation.
CIPR Public Services Committee supports the increasing efforts by Parliament and Governments worldwide to counter misinformation on coronavirus (COVID-19).
In addition, the CIPR, the Public Sector Group and the Independent Practitioners Network are jointly calling on communicators to use the SHARE approach to evaluate information before they share it wider.
Sharechecklist.gov.uk
Submit fake news to inquiry
Communicators can play a role in encouraging their communities and the public to send fake news to the Online Harms and Disinformation Inquiry. The Inquiry’s call for evidence opened on 25 March and will close for submissions on 20 April 2020. It will look at disinformation and misinformation on the coronavirus and COVID-19.
The Department of Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Sub-Committee on Online Harms and Disinformation will ask Government and social media how they’re tackling deliberate attempts to present false narratives on COVID-19 when the House of Commons returns.
The call for evidence is open until Monday 20 April 2020.
The UK Government has set up a ‘counter disinformation unit’. It will have representation from different departments across Whitehall to identify and respond to disinformation about COVID-19. It will work with social media organisations to try and tackle the spread of disinformation.
The CIPR Public Sector group called on practitioners to consider the following questions when evaluating materials:
do we know where the information has come from? Have we checked the source?
are we sure it’s true?
have we fact checked the information?
Dominic Ridley-Moy, of the CIPR LPS committee and the Independent Practitioners Network, said: “These are all things we do. But it’s hugely important, now more than ever, that we remain extra vigilant and take extra care when sharing information.”
Responding to the creation of a counter disinformation unit in March 2020, CIPR stressed the vital role of communicators.
“We remind members of their commitment to the CIPR code of conduct – you must check the reliability and accuracy of information before sharing with the public.
“The national significance of this issue highlights the importance of the role of communicators.”
Can your organisation help distribute up-to-date, useful information from official sources? Please consider adding links prominently to your external and internal communications channels.
The materials have been created to support communications with the general public. The PHE resources align with the national public information campaign that is running across the United Kingdom.
The quick start guide includes suggested copy from PHE to accompany the social media assets.
Communications teams should share links to the material in the resource centre rather than individual downloads. This will help find the most up to date versions of information on public sector websites.
Coronavirus public health poster – you can download this for offices or link shared (the PDF file of the poster issued on 3/2/20 will open in a new window)
This UK Government’s awareness campaign includes direct briefings from NHS health leaders in addition to the PM and Secretaries of State providing regular updates. It is the first time, the UK public members can watch advice in TV adverts featuring Chief Medical Officer Professor Chris Whitty and initially voiced by actor Mark Strong (announced on 15 March 202). They were part of the Government’s drive to “ensure everyone knows the best way to limit and delay the spread of the COVID-19”.
As part of the campaign, more public health resources are available for council and trust internal and external websites. The campaign advice is featuring in newspapers and magazines, on drive-time radio, online and through social media. The advice also features on billboards and large digital displays, including at bus stops.
NHS 111 online service
The online service, NHS 111, gives further advice on coronavirus. It provides a checklist to help identify whether someone needs medical help and what to do next.
The public health awareness campaign (15 March 2020) focused on handwashing and related messages. It continued to emphasise the use of seeking online help from NHS.uk/coronavirus “to check your symptoms and follow the medical advice, rather than visiting your GP.”
“It also urges people with any symptoms to avoid contact with older and more vulnerable people. Where possible, we are urging people to visit the 111 website rather than calling, too, to ensure the phone service is readily available to those who need it.”
The key message from the NHS 111 service is for residents to use this service rather than go to a hospital or GP surgery, if:
you’ve been in close contact with someone with coronavirus
Professor Stephen Powis, NHS national medical director, said: “The new NHS 111 online service is helping increase capacity and free up clinicians’ time by offering specific help and advice on coronavirus at the touch of a button…
“I would like to say a personal thank all those NHS staff who are doing an incredible job caring for patients, testing thousands of worried people and taking calls from thousands more.”
He said: “The public can play their part in slowing the spread of the virus by following public health advice.
“People should wash their hands, cover their mouth and nose when they cough or sneeze and put used tissues in the bin immediately.”
Lots of questions on social media and media interviews about the similarities between COVID-19 and flu (usually seasonal influenza). Q&A on COVID-19 versus flu – video from the WHO First published: 4 March 2020
The NHS is running a social media and radio campaign to promote handwashing.
“Washing our hands more often and for 20 seconds (the time it takes to sing Happy Birthday twice) – can help prevent the spread of #coronavirus. But we’re over-singing Happy Birthday – so the wonderful Twitter-hive has helped us find other #HandwashAnthems with 20 second choruses.”
A UK-wide public information campaign launched on 4 March 2020 focusing on handwashing for 20 seconds to slow the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19).
UK Health and Social Care Secretary Matt Hancock said: “We all have a role to play in stopping this disease and that’s what this expanded campaign is all about – making sure the public knows exactly what they should be doing to keep themselves and others safe. Washing hands regularly is the single most important thing that an individual can do.”
The Department of Health is reminding the public that viruses can live on surfaces for several hours (13 March 2020). It reminds the public to protect themselves and others by:
▶️ Wash your hands more often ▶️ Use soap and water for 20 seconds ▶️ Or use hand sanitiser
Working safely during coronavirus, Gov.uk. This page focuses on how to make your workplace COVID-19 secure. First published 11 May 2020, updated 24 June 2020. Updated 23 July to include changes on working from home (sections 1 &2), when to wear face coverings (section 6.1), amended guidance on disposing of face coverings and PEE (section 5.1) and work-related travel (section 7.2).
The WHO information on the correct use of face masks during the current outbreak of coronavirus. This page includes links to downloadable posters and videos for sharing from WHO. These resources cover the use of masks, safety advice when putting them on and removal, and information on where they may be helpful. It also has a video on when medical masks should be worn to protect from the coronavirus.
Social distancing and stay alert / home advice
Also refer to the following sections in this resource:
SPI on social distancing. This report by Scientific Pandemic Influenza Group on Modelling, Operational sub-group (SPI-M-O) was considered by the Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (SAGE) on 21 May 2020. First published on Gov.uk on 26 June 2020.
Meeting people outside your household, Gov.uk, first published 10 June 2020, updated 13 June 2020 to include ability to make a ‘social bubble’ with another household.
SPI on social distancing. This report by Scientific Pandemic Influenza Group on Modelling, Operational sub-group (SPI-M-O) was considered by the Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (SAGE) on 21 May 2020. First published on Gov.uk on 26 June 2020.
Staying alert guidance and safe (social distancing), Gov.uk first published 11 May 2020, last update identified 10 June.
Staying outside your home guidance, Gov.uk, 11 May 2020. The Government states: “The principles you should follow to ensure that time spent outside your home is as safe as possible.”
UK Government information on social distancing and stay at home advice (this was revised on 11 May 2020 in England – more above). Multi-language versions of the guidance are published to this page. First published 16 March 2020. This was regularly updated by Public Health England.
Coronavirus information leaflet – this gives information on what to do to help stop the spread of coronavirus, including information on symptoms and government support. In addition, large print and multi-language versions available on this page. 7 April 2020
First published by the Cabinet Office on 29 March 2020, updated 1 May 2020. It states: “The changes reflect the updated regulations that were signed into law on 22nd April and to reflect the latest PHE guidance.”
Coronavirus information leaflet (7April 2020) – this gives information on what to do to help stop the spread of coronavirus, including information on symptoms and government support. In addition, large print and multi-language versions available on this page.
Coronavirus guides for parents, guardians and carers
Information for parents during the Coronavirus emergency, advice (WHO). The World Health Organization communications team has created six one-page tips for parents to help them plan “one-on-one time, staying positive, creating a daily routine, avoiding bad behaviour, managing stress, and talking about COVID-19.”
One of the first ‘drive through’ swabbing centres for COVID-19 was set up in west London can be accessed through NHS 111. This hub is provided by Central London Community Healthcare NHS Trust in Parsons Green working with North West London Sustainability and Transformation Partnership (STP). It is a referral only service providing a community-based testing facility. Its nursing and therapy workforce come from Central London Community Healthcare NHS Trust. It is medically supported by the Chelsea & Westminster Hospital NHS Foundation Trust medical team.
Picture-based and easy read editions, British Sign Language versions of guidance
Translations
As guidance is translated into another language, it is posted by Gov.uk on the original web page. To help communicators, you can find links to the UK guidance in our latest announcements and public sector specific sections.
Help public health organisations share resources on social channels
Public Health England (PHE) leads the response to new and emerging threats to health for all four nations of the UK and the Crown Dependencies – including the Isle of Man.
31 March 2020: Joint statement following conference call discussing coronavirus on the island of Ireland. The Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, Brandon Lewis and the Tánaiste, Simon Coveney jointly chaired the meeting with the First Minister Arlene Foster, deputy First Minister Michelle O’Neill, Health Minister Robin Swann and Minister for Health Simon Harris all participating. Link from the Northern Ireland Office.
Also view the Advice to UK sectors section in this resource guide, which includes business, care, education, energy, health, housing, planning, transport and more. Tourism is being added to this Local Government section in response to requests. This section includes information on retail trading restrictions.
FAQs from the Local Government Association. It includes questions and answers for local councils on topics including: employment law, death arrangements, finance, procurement, supporting those shielding, local communities, and volunteering.
UK Government provides extra £50million to support the Northern Ireland Executive tackle coronavirus, 18 April 2020, Northern Ireland Office. The release states: “People in Northern Ireland also benefit from a range of UK-wide measures including £330 billion worth of UK Government-backed loans, the Job Retention Scheme and the UK-wide PPE strategy… This takes the total funding the UK Government has made available to the Northern Ireland Executive to support its efforts to tackle coronavirus to almost £1.2 billion.”
Extra £16 billion for councils in England pledge to support them as they continue to respond to the coronavirus pandemic, 18 April 2020. Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government. The statement also refers to: “This will mean an extra £300 million for the devolved administrations, £155 million for Scotland, £95 million for Wales and £50 million for Northern Ireland.”
Councils to have greater financial relief against cash flow pressures, Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, 16 April 2020. The press release states: “Councils will be allowed to defer £2.6 billion in business rates payments to central government, and £850 million in social care grants will be paid up front this month.”
Local Government Secretary’s press release on support to local councils in their work on coronavirus (16 March 2020). This includes supporting councils’ focus on social care and providing support for vulnerable people and local economies, additional military personnel to work with Local Resilience Forums (LRFs) on their coronavirus response plans. The release has a summary of the Budget measures announced relating to local authorities during the coronavirus outbreak.
UK Government announcement on its plans to provide thousands of long-term, safe homes for vulnerable rough sleepers taken off the streets during the pandemic, 24 May 2020.
New Rough Sleeping Taskforce set up during the pandemic. Dame Louise Casey to head up the Taskforce. Gov.uk, 2 May 2020
Dame Louise Casey is spearheading the Government’s response on rough sleeping. On 23 April 2020, she wrote to local authority homeless managers and rough sleeping co-ordinations for their work to support 5,400 rough sleepers off the streets in the previous month.
Coronavirus: How to help safely – guidance updated for volunteers helping to provide essential support to their friends and family during the restrictions (24 April 2020)
Other guidance to Local Government includes:
postponement of local, mayoral and Police and Crime Commissioner elections until May 2021
temporary suspension of routine Care Quality Commission inspections for the duration of the coronavirus outbreak
councils are able to use their discretion on deadlines for Freedom of Information requests
deadline for local government financial audits has been extended
Also view the Business Sector section of this resource for related materials including benefits and the online self certification system, taxation, UK Government announcements relating to business and organisations, and the various relief and loan schemes.
HSE and PHE guidance on workplace cleaning and safety
Working safely during coronavirus – Guidance for England on working safely, Gov.uk. This page focuses on how to make your workplace COVID-19 secure in England. First published 11 May 2020, updated 24 June 2020. Updated 23 July to include changes on working from home (sections 1 &2), when to wear face coverings (section 6.1), amended guidance on disposing of face coverings and PEE (section 5.1) and work-related travel (section 7.2). – Guidance on working safely during the coronavirus outbreak for Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland
Think about data and alternative working arrangements
Information in this section is also relevant to those working in #InternalComms.
Here are some of the tips to consider if your organisation needs to set up contingency arrangements.
If your contingency planning includes homeworking for staff not set up for this in their normal work, support them with specific, easy to follow information about managing data, device security and any GDPR compliance requirements
Use staff intranets to increase employees’ confidence in working in different environments. This will also help to reduce additional queries to IT teams which will be under greater pressure with an increase in remote working and supporting high demand to digital channels
Provide staff with HR and other contacts to answer queries on health and safety and staff wellbeing for alternative working arrangements
Set expectations clearly on working hours, response arrangements and communications lines
Provide arrangements for breaks, rotas for monitoring and updating communications channels
Include communications teams in debrief arrangements with other emergency response staff
Make available the organisation’s lone or remote working policies with easy tips for shorter term arrangements
The Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) website has an online self assessment to help assess your organisation’s compliance with data protection, particularly in relation to mobile and home working, removable media, access controls and malware protection. It can be found half way down its page under the heading ‘information security’.
Working from home tips from the CIPD. This includes tips for working remotely, managing remote teams, healthy remote working, effective online meetings, homeworking legal and contractual considerations, further resources.
Review and update your organisation’s business contingency tools.
Kerry Sheehan, from the CIPR LPS said: “Check your business contingency plans are being communicated to staff. Communicating clearly on what is expected and having a mechanism for questions helps reduce extra pressure on staff.”
Chartered Institute for Personnel Development (CIPD) highlights the need for organisations to communicate with their people, in its statement on the coronavirus. Its top two recommendations focus on communications. It recommends in contingency planning and response, organisations should:
1. Regularly communicate with their people on the steps they are taking to protect staff, as well as on their sick pay and leave policies
2. Do the basics to protect staff such as ensuring they are aware of the latest public health advice, providing hand sanitisers and increasing the frequency and intensity of workplace cleaning
Its factsheet gives advice on “how employers should respond to the threat and support employees” through:
being prepared
looking after employees’ health and safety
precautions for employees returning from travel
and developing flexible resourcing plans
The CIPD’s factsheet on coronavirus. This was first published on 3 March 2020. It updates this document as UK government guidance evolves.
The CIPD also runs a regular session on Twitter. You can catch up with its chat focusing on workforce health and wellbeing during the coronavirus crisis by using the hashtag #AskTheCIPD or @CIPD and searching for its chat on 22 April 2020, 11am-12pm.
Business contingency
Kerry Sheehan, from the CIPR LPS said: “Keep updating your business contingency plans during and after the crisis, and make sure they are being communicated to staff. Communicating clearly on what is expected and having a mechanism for questions helps reduce extra pressure on staff.”
This CIPR Public Services Advisory Group has produced a guide to support public sector teams with communicating any death of a colleague, elected representative or volunteer from coronavirus (COVID-19).
The document aims to provide guidance to assist managers and others. It outlines steps an organisation, the communications service and its employees should take following the death of a colleague.
Support for dealing with bereavement at work
ACAS Guide on Time off for Bereavement This includes sections on leave and pay when someone dies, parental bereavement leave, supporting an employee after a death, if someone dies during work, and bereavement policies.
Support the bereaved – Cabinet Office information to help bereaved families, friends or next of kin make important decisions, 23 April 2020
Guidance for care of the deceased with suspected or confirmed coronavirus (COVID-19), Gov.uk 31/3/2020. Updated 20/4/2020. – This detailed guidance document includes guidance for members of the public who identify a death outside a healthcare setting, advice for communities, care homes, healthcare providers and emergency services. – Translations of the guidance are being added to this page. A Welsh translation is available.
The Health and Safety Executive’s ‘Managing infection risks when handling the deceased‘ guidance does not cover COVID-19. It covers standard infection control and transmission-based precautions that should be followed in the workplace. The HSE states its guide “should be read in conjunction with Public Health England’s guidance for care of the deceased with suspected or confirmed coronavirus (COVID-19) [Link above]
Coronavirus COVID-19 local death management, Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, Gov.uk 17 April 2020. Statutory guidance for local authorities in England on Schedule 28 to the Coronavirus Act. It provides powers to support local and national death management.
CIPR members have free access to the Croner-i Business Support Helpline. You can get advice on legal, compliance and tax issues. Find out more and login to this CIPR business service.
CIPR Mentoring Scheme, Progress, is free to members. It was launched on 16 April 2020. Progress is a CIPR member exclusive service which provides a safe space and sounding board for mentees to discuss challenges, explore opportunities and plan future career actions with mentors.
How is coronavirus influencing the PR industry – article in Influence magazine by Eva Maclaine, a previous Chair of CIPR International group. Posted 13 March 2020. Her post includes: “The Institute’s specialist group, Local Public Services, has published an excellent coronavirus guide for communicators.”
CIPR and mental health and wellbeing – details of iProvision and the new Mental Health hotline (launched 1 April 2020) can be found in the Wellbeing section of this resource.
It follows the announcement by the UK Government of the Self-Employed Income Support Scheme on 26 March 2020. The industry bodies said it would welcomed by the freelance community, but many self-employed professionals will not be eligible to apply. This group include those:
who operate as limited companies
who became self-employed since April 2019
with a trading profit of more than £50,000
who move between short-term PAYE contracts
CIPR has welcomed the UK Government’s decision to extend provisions of income assurance to cover freelancers and the self-employed during the coronavirus outbreak. (26 March 2020). More on our response on the CIPR page.
FuturePRoof COVID-19 survey reports urgent Government intervention needed for freelancers. Its findings include: “The key challenges remain loss of income (35.9%) and access to customers (53.0%). 45.9% of employers are worried about their ability to trade through the crisis.” FuturePRoof is sharing the information to central UK Government, the CIPR and PRCA. The survey remains open (Google Form opens in a new window).
UK and devolved governments advice and support. Links to major business organisations. Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme, taxation changes and more. Information for other sectors can be found below this section.
Links to find your local business support are in the Business section below.
GCS support forjobs in the communications industry
In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Government Communication Service has established an advisory panel of leaders from across the communications industry to provide expert challenge, advice and support for the Government’s COVID-19 communication activities. The new facility by GCS states: We know there are communications specialists whose jobs will already have been affected by COVID-19. If you have communications skills and expertise to offer, please register your interest.”
Dominic Ridley-May, Co-Chair of CIPR’s Independent Practitioners Network and LPS Committee member, said: “As a freelancer, and a member of several freelance Facebook groups, I know how challenging the next few weeks and months will be for independents. Events are already having a massive impact on people’s income, and the prospect of self-isolation will compound this.
CIPR Independent Practitioners
Further details about what the UK Government is offering independents can be found on the website of the IPSE, a body representing the self-employed.
IPSE petition
Fifteen per cent of all those in employment in developed nations‘ OECD group were listed as self-employed in 2019 (World Bank statistics). This reflected the position in the UK too.
Dominic Ridley-Moy said: “Whilst we welcome measures like delaying IR35 and postponing VAT payments, the Government has not gone far enough to support the self-employed. Many freelancers have seen their work disappear in a matter of days, with no way of being able to pay the bills during the coming weeks and months.
“We urgently call on the Government to address this. In Norway, for example, the Government has committed to pay the self-employed 80 per cent of their average income based on the previous three years.
“To support all our many freelance professionals now is the time to make your voice heard – don’t leave the self-employed behind in the Coronavirus Crisis.”
Dominic is asking communicators to sign the petition started by IPSE and the Creative Industries Federation calling on the UK Government to create a Temporary Income Protection Fund to support freelancers. He added: “The idea is for a time-limited, targeted injection of funds to keep businesses afloat during the coming months and cover basic income costs like food and rent.”
The petition to the UK Parliament (Change.org website)
This is not an exhaustive list. It focuses on the documents likely to be most useful for public sector communicators and PR/ Communications agencies and businesses.
Business sector
Also contains information for workplaces. View the Independent Practitioner sectionfor related materials affecting freelancers and sole-traders or micro-firms.
Updated guidance for employees, employers and business – first published 25 March 2020. This includes the information updated on 6 April 2020 on use of face masks in the community. On this page, there is also a poster which businesses can use. Update 22 April 2020: added guidance for businesses trading internationally.
Pivotal Enterprise Resilience Fund – this was paused for live applications at 5pm, Tuesday 5 May 2020 for reviewing applications. It will then move to the next steps for the fund.
Financial support for businesses during coronavirus (COVID-19) – first published 3 April 2020. Produced from Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy, Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government, and HM Revenue & Customs. It is broken up into sections:
Online isolation certification system – reduces pressure on GP surgeries (20 March 2020). Isolation notes will provide employees with evidence for their employers that they have been advised to self-isolate due to coronavirus, either because they have symptoms or they live with someone who has symptoms, and so cannot work.
Statutory Sick Pay – guide for employers with updated information during the coronavirus outbreak, Gov.uk
The guidance states: “repayment will cover up to 2 weeks starting from the first day of sickness, if an employee is unable to work because they either: have coronavirus or cannot work because they are self-isolating at home.”
Working Tax Credits Increase to working tax credits (Gov.uk, 23 March 2020) – “Working Tax Credits payments will be increased by £1,045 to £3,040 per year from 6 April 2020 until 5 April 2021. The amount a claimant or household will benefit from will depend on their circumstances, including their level of household income.”
Documentation for Business Support grant funding – this guidance sets out the eligibility criteria, and the operation and delivery of the two funding schemes: the Small Business Grants Fund (SBGF) and Retail, Hospitality and Leisure Grant Fund (RHLGF).
First published 1/4/2020.
Source: Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy
Business Support grant funding – this guidance sets out the details of the Small Business Grants Fund (SBGF) and Retail, Hospitality and Leisure Grant Fund (RHLGF). Gov.uk from the Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy, 1 April 2020
Source: Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy
Updated 1 May 2020 with information on tax.
Guidance on business suppport grant funding – update, 30 March 2020, version 3. This guidance is for local authorities setting out details of the Small Business Grants Fund (SBGF) and Retail, Hospitality and Leisure Grant Fund (RHLGF). This is version 3 and has updates on State Aid, monitoring and reporting requirements, new annexes on state aid, Spotlight, and post payment checks, clarification on the eligibility of charities.
These loans were announced on 4 May 2020 by HM Treasury. According to the statement on Gov.uk, “Britain’s small businesses will be able to apply for quick and easy-to access loans of up to £50,000… with the cash expected to land within days.”
Businesses will be able to borrow between £2,000 and £50,000. Loans will be 100 per cent UK Government backed for lenders. The UK Government has ” agreed with lenders that an affordable flat rate of 2.5% interest will be charged on these loans.”
The scheme is aimed at small and medium-sized businesses. You can not apply if you’re already claiming under the Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme (CBILS), but can request a lender to transfer a loan to the Bounce Back Loans scheme until 4 November 2020 (information correct at 4/5/20).
Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme (CBILS)
The new temporary Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme was announced in the UK Budget in March 2020. It is being delivered by the British Business Bank. The scheme will support businesses in accessing bank lending and overdrafts. The Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan scheme opened on 23 March 2020. (Gov.uk, 23 March 2020).
Loan scheme expanded to include large businesses, 22 April 2020. The Coronavirus Large Business Interruption Loan Scheme is in addition to the COVID Corporate Financing Facility. The guidance released by HM Treasury states:
All viable businesses with turnover of more than £45m will be able to apply for UK Government-backed support
Firms with turnover of more than £250 million can borrow up to £50 million from lenders.
Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (CJRS)
Claim wages through the CJRS – Gov.uk, first published 20 April 2020. Last checked – was updated 12 June 2020 (more below on changes from 1 July 2020)
Advice from HMRC on steps to take before you calculate your CJRS claim, Gov.uk first published 12 June 2020. It advises employers to – decide the length of your claim period – find out what to include when calculating wages – work out your employees’ usual and furloughed hours before you calculate how much you can claim.
The UK Government’s Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme went live on 20 April 2020. Businesses can claim up to £2,500 a month towards staff wages.
Employers can apply online ‘to claim cash grants worth up to 80 per cent of wages, capped at £2,500 a month per worker.’(HM Treasury)
Applications can now be made for the Government’s furlough scheme
As at 20/4/20, 5,000 HMRC staff will operate the scheme – which is expected to help thousands of firms across the UK
Employers can apply for direct cash grants through HMRC’s new online portal – with the money expected to land in their bank accounts within six working days
First publication: 26 March 2020. Details of who is eligible, how much employers can claim if they put staff on temporary leave (“furlough”) because of coronavirus (COVID-19)
How much you can claim using the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme, HMRC on Gov.uk, first published 12 June 2020. On this page you can calculate how much you have to pay your furloughed employees for hours on furlough, how much you can claim for employer NICs and pension contributions and how much you can claim back.
First publication: 26 March 2020. Details who can apply.
“This scheme will allow you to claim a taxable grant worth 80% of your trading profits up to a maximum of £2,500 per month for the next 3 months. This may be extended if needed.”
This scheme is being extended, and you will be able to claim a second and final grant in August 2020. Announced 12 June 2020.
Sustainable Innovation Fund
Sustainable Innovation Fund – first published on Gov.uk 27 June 2020. The Fund will help companies recovering from the impact of coronavirus (COVID-19) ‘keep their cutting-edge projects and ideas alive’, according to the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy.
The government investment is “to support innovations ranging from AI systems managing city traffic flows to the latest reusable packaging materials. Research and development (R&D) intensive businesses urged to apply for funding to turn ingenious ideas into new technologies.”
It is also aimed at encouraging more environmentally-friendly actions. “In a move to support people across the country to establish more ‘climate-positive’ behaviours, businesses and start-ups could also make use of the fund to develop smart sustainability-focused projects – from apps encouraging people to cut down their food waste to sustainable biodegradable packaging.”
This funding, delivered through Innovate UK, is part of a wider £750 million package of grants and loans announced in April 2020 to support innovative firms. There is also the £500 million Future Fund, which provides match-funding to private investors, and was launched on 20 May 2020.
Application: Businesses can apply for support through the Sustainable Innovation Fund by visiting the Innovate UK website from Monday 29 June 2020.
Local Authority Discretionary Grants Fund
The Discretionary Grant Fund supports small and micro businesses that are not eligible for other grant schemes.
COVID Corporate Financial Facility (CCFF), Bank of England (23 March 2020) – for companies, and banks acting on behalf of companies wanting to participate in HM Treasury and Bank of England’s CCFF.
First published 23 March 2020. Updated guidance 1 May 2020 ‘to further clarify the requirements of The Health Protection (Coronavirus) Regulations 2020.’
First publication: 23 March 2020. Gov.uk descriptor: “This document provides guidance on the closure of all retailers that sell non-essential goods and other non-essential premises, as part of further social distancing measures.”
First publication: 23 March 2020. Gov.uk descriptor: “This document provides guidance on the closure of all retailers that sell non-essential goods and other non-essential premises, as part of further social distancing measures.”
Who for: guidance for local authorities on administering the Small Business Grant Fund and Retail, Hospitality and Leisure Grant Fund. This contains details of the expanded retail discount guidance.
Updated guidance to employers and business. Includes guidance for local authorities on administering the Small Business Grant Fund and Retail, Hospitality and Leisure Grant Fund. This contains details of the expanded retail discount guidance. 24 March 2020
Temporary changes to the Care Act 2014 during the coronavirus outbreak, Department of Health and Social Care. Published 31 March 2020
Home care
England: Providing home care – guidance for England first published 22 May 2020, updated 7 August 2020. Note ‘shielding and care groups’ section (now titled ‘Clinically extremely vulnerable people and care groups’) and ‘annexes A and B’ to reflect wider changes to shielding advice. ‘Social care recruitment’ section includes further details about the new online recruitment platform for social care.
Visiting a care home during coronavirus updated guidance applies to England, 31 July 2020. First publication by Department of Health and Social Care 22 July 2020. The 31 July updates come in where support of Director of Public Health applies:
no one should be allowed to enter a care home if they are currently experiencing or first experienced coronavirus symptoms in the last 10 days
visitors should be encouraged to walk or cycle to the care home if they can.
8 June 2020:Testing kits rolled out for whole care homes use in England, Department of Health and Social Care. This extend the whole care home testing for all care homes for over-65s and those with dementia in England by 6 June 2020. The below is from the announcement published on 8/6/20.
Adult care homes for under-65s, including those with learning disabilities or mental health problems will be offered testing, regardless of whether residents have symptoms
New social care sector COVID-19 support taskforce set up to continue supporting the care sector and prevent further transmission
New taskforce to be headed up by its newly appointed Chair, David Pearson CBE
Wider support for care home residents and staff announced including ‘limiting staff movement, protecting wages and giving access to NHS personal protective equipment (PPE) training’
‘Each care home in England to be given a named clinical lead to provide direct care for residents’
‘A wellbeing package will be also launched on CARE Workforce app to support the workforce with Hospice UK and Samaritans’ Source: Care home support package announcement, accessed 15/5/2020
27 April 2020: Collection of Adult social care guidance – updated to include domiciliary care. First published 15 April 2020.
21 April 2020:Coronavirus (COVID-19) guidance for people receiving direct payments. Department of Health and Social Care. Updated 7 May 2020 – advice for people who buy care and support through a direct payment, as well as local authorities, clinical commissioning groups and those who provide care and support.
9 April 2020:Guidance on changes to hospital discharge arrangements, Department of Health and Social Care, 9 April 2020. First published 19 March 2020. This update: “sets out how health and care systems and providers should change their discharging arrangements and the provision of community support during the coronavirus situation.”
8 April 2020:Visitor guidance update, NHS England (PDF opens in a new window). Visiting remains suspended. The document sets out exceptional circumstances. These include for patients receiving end-of-life care, for those supporting someone with a mental health issue, learning disability or autism, and other situations. Full details and steps to be taken are contained in the document.
12 April 2020: – Announcement on support to UK charities and international organisations, Department for International Development. The statement: “A package of £200 million will back UK charities and international organisations to help reduce mass infections in developing countries which often lack the healthcare systems to track and halt the virus. Today’s [12 April 2020] announcement brings the total amount of UK aid committed to the global fight against coronavirus to £744 million, making the UK one of the biggest donors to the international response.”
7 April 2020: – Guidance for the charity sector following the press conference, Charity Commission. It includes information on whether a charity can help with coronavirus efforts, Government’s financial support options for charities, and more. This is an updated version of the Commission’s guidance first published in March 2020.
COVID-19 background information – including epidemiology, virology and clinical features. First published 16 January 2020, last identified update 24 June.
Expanded flu vaccination programme to protect vulnerable people and support the NHS
Free vaccine to be made available for people aged 50 to 64 later in the year
Households of those on the shielded patient list eligible for free flu vaccination and school programme expanded to the first year of secondary schools for the first time
Saliva test pilot in Southampton, Gov.uk, 22 June 2020. This is a ‘no-swab’, weekly test which could be done by transferring saliva into a sample pot. More than 14,000 GP staff, other essential key workers and university staff and their households will participate in the first phase of the trial.
Guidance on changes to hospital discharge arrangements, Department of Health and Social Care. First published 19 March 2020. 9 April 2020 update: “sets out how health and care systems and providers should change their discharging arrangements and the provision of community support during the coronavirus situation.”
The statement from Department of Health and Social Care and Public Health England states: “This is part of a package of major reforms to the NHS financial system, designed in a collaboration between the Department of Health and Social Care and NHS England, which will begin from the start of the new financial year. This package is launched in combination with a simpler internal payment system to help NHS trusts in dealing with the coronavirus (COVID-19) response, which was agreed with NHS England last week.”
It added: “Under the new rules set out in a letter to all NHS Trusts, should hospitals need extra cash this will be given with equity, rather than needing to borrow from the government and repay a loan.
“The letters also include details on every local area’s capital budget for 2020/21, providing certainty to the NHS for the new financial year and enabling investment in vital longer-term infrastructure upgrades as soon as possible. These budgets come on top of the capital facility the government launched in February [2020].”
Ministerial direction on spend: letters authorising spend on urgent coronavirus (COVID-19) issued by the Department of Health and Social Care and its Arms Length Bodies (ALBs), 30 March 2020
The World Health Organization (WHO) published the first edition of the practical manual to set up and manage a severe acute respiratory infection (SARI) treatment centre and a SARI screening facility in health-care facilities, 28 March 2020
– Travelling safely – Walking, cycling, and travelling in vehicles or on public transport during the coronavirus outbreak. Department of Transport, Published 12 May 2020.
– Coronavirus and travel to work, Office of National Statistics, 23 June 2020. It provides data on method of travel to work and distance of travel to work split by industry sectors and workplace location.
Driving tests and theory tests. Updated 20/3/2020 ”Theory tests are suspended for one month, and driving tests are suspended for up to 3 months due to coronavirus – but tests are available for critical workers.”
Coronavirus and loneliness: statistics 3 April – 3 May 2020 This is an analysis of loneliness in Great Britain during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic from the Opinions and Lifestyle Survey. In this study, the Office for National Statistics (ONS) explores who is reporting feeling lonely, what their lived experience is and how they are coping. Published 8 June 2020
Public mental health Community of Practice on the Knowledge Hub. This is for public health practitioners and organisations who have an interest in addressing the mental health impacts of COVID-19. Councils can share their local actions, documents and connect with others in this hub.
Briefing for Directors of Public Health about the public health and wellbeing issues arising from the coronavirus outbreak. This has been produced jointly by the Local Government Association and the Association of Directors of Public Health.
The iProvision charity supports PR practitioners in need. It is the CIPR’s benevolent fund and operates as an independent charity. Its remit is to: “provide assistance in cash or in kind or in any other appropriate manner for the prevention or relief of poverty, of any member or former member, employee and former employee of CIPR, together with any close dependants and the close dependants of any deceased member in need for such assistance.”
Donate to the charity to help other practitioners.
The CIPR’s iProvision launched a Mental Health Hotline at the beginning of April 2020. This is available to members only via the website. The hotline comes with access to the the @Health_Assured wellbeing app (27 April 2020). Search “Health e-hub” in your App Store. The login details are on the CIPR website. It includes 59 webinars and 12 training plans. More details.
CIPR regions and sectoral groups are working to assist members and non members during the current emergency. The support includes this resource for communicators led by the CIPR Local Public Services group.
Skin conditions: – Psoriasis Association section (first published 5 March 2020, updated at intervals). Includes a FAQs video on psoriasis and COVID-19 with Professor Griffiths.
Contributors to this post
Thanks to Abha Thakor, Founding Chartered PR Practitioner, for the research and the digital comms work on this resource and associated materials, and to CIPR LPS committee members and other practitioners who have been providing input (below).
Thanks to Kerry Sheehan and Dan Slee who are quoted on this page, Dominic Ridley-Moy, from the CIPR Independent Practitioners Group, Mandy Pearse, the CIPR and CIPR Inside Group. Thank you to CIPD, ICO and ACAS and others for sharing their relevant information.
In addition, thank you to the Advisory Group of the CIPR LPS for their work on guides.
Working with others, we will be incorporate the learning from this work into our resources on emergency communications. Thank you for the ongoing contributions.
This resource is provided by practitioners giving their time and professional skills to help others during the emergency.
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