Has Society really changed Six Months on from Lockdown?
Pre-lockdown, which seems light years away, we were told that the norm for society across the globe was one of self-centred and egotistical behaviours. People were more interested in themselves rather than the needs and desires of others. In short, society as we knew it was self-absorbed.
Fast forward six months and life as we know has changed dramatically. We have been exposed to the unknown quantity that is a Pandemic. The words “unprecedented” , translated across the globe - “sans précédent” “isiyokuwa ya kawaida”, “senza precedenti”, “sin precedentess”, “Zenrei no nai”, “ongekend” - to become one of the most commonly used words to describe Covid-19 and the impact that it created worldwide. We witnessed pain, anguish, tragedy and sorrow as the virus impacted many many lives. However, we also witnessed human behaviour at it’s best - altruism.
The presence of altruistic tendencies are motivated by a desire to benefit someone other than oneself, often for the benefit of another person. Altruism is often used as the opposite of “selfish” or “egoistical” nature, the opposite of the person who is driven by their own motives, pushing aside the interests of anyone around them.
Government has changed the law so most renters have a 6 month notice period
Last week the Government announced that notice periods for section 8 and section 21 notices would change.
This afternoon, the Government has announced that legislation has now been introduced, so landlords must now give tenants 6 months’ notice before they can evict until March 2021, except in the most serious of cases, such as incidents of anti-social behaviour and domestic abuse perpetrators.
The stay on possession proceedings has been extended until 20 September, meaning that in total no tenant can have been legally evicted for 6 months at the height of the pandemic.
The package of support for renters includes the extension of notice periods and the extension to the stay on possession proceedings. For the most egregious cases, notice periods have returned to their pre-coronavirus levels, and landlords will be able to progress serious rent arrears cases more quickly.
-
The government is also helping landlords affected by the worst cases to seek possession; these are:
-
anti-social behaviour (now 4 weeks’ notice)
-
domestic abuse (now 2 to 4 weeks’ notice)
-
false statement (now 2 to 4 weeks’ notice)
-
over 6 months’ accumulated rent arrears (now 4 weeks’ notice)
-
breach of immigration rules ‘Right to Rent’ (now 3 months’ notice)
-
Prime Minister announces stronger enforcement measures as easements resume
Press Release - 13th August 2020
The Government has announced a series of tough new enforcement measures targeting the most serious breaches of social distancing restrictions.
-
Fines will double to a maximum of £3,200 for those who repeatedly flout face covering rules
-
New fines to be introduced for people hosting raves or other unlawful gatherings of more than 30 people
-
Bowling alleys, skating rinks and casinos to reopen for the first time as well as indoor play and soft play centres which comply with new Covid-19 Secure guidelines
-
Beauty salons, tattoo studios, spas, barbers across England will be able to offer all close contact services and treatments
-
Wedding receptions for up to 30 people to resume – and indoor performances with socially distanced audiences will recommence
-
Sports and business events pilots to resume
The Government has announced a series of tough new enforcement measures targeting the most serious breaches of social distancing restrictions.
Guidance for Employees and Employers on Self-Isolating after returning to the UK
People returning to the UK must self-isolate for 14 days unless they’re travelling from a country with a quarantine exemption.
Find out how to self-isolate when travelling to the UK.
A person’s employment rights will depend on their employment status and specific circumstances. A court or employment tribunal will make the final decision on employment status and whether an employer has acted within the law or not.
Working from home
Where possible people should work from home during their self-isolation period. Employees should talk to their employer about working from home before they travel.
Taking annual leave
Employees can agree with their employer to take leave to cover the period of their self-isolation, providing they have enough leave remaining.
Employers can also tell employees to take leave as long as they give them enough notice. Find out about notice periods.