Lockdown roadmap cannot be rushed, despite vaccine success, minister says April 29, 2021 Despite the success of the vaccine rollout, the roadmap through lifting lockdown restrictions cannot be accelerated safely, the UK’s vaccines minister has warned this morning. Minister Nadhim Zahawi said that while one in four adults had two doses, “we have to be careful”. The successful vaccine rollout does not ensure full protection, Zahawi warned, adding that “if the [...]
Spain set to open doors to Brits from June April 28, 2021 Spain will open its doors to British holidaymakers from June after discussions between the two governments on using digital health passes to ensure safe travel. Fernando Valdes Verelst, Spain’s tourism minister, said that it was pushing for Britain’s so-called “vaccine passport” to be “mutually recognised”. His comments came as transport secretary Grant Shapps confirmed that [...]
UK’s sanitising obsession boosts sales at Dettol maker Reckitt Benckiser during Covid pandemic April 28, 2021 The UK Government’s message of “Hands, face, space” during the Covid pandemic is still paying off for hygiene and cleaning products maker Reckitt Benckiser. Reckitt Benckiser reported a higher-than-expected jump in quarterly sales as Brits kept up their heightened cleaning regimens a year into the Covid-19 pandemic, and the company backed its full-year outlook. The pandemic [...]
NHS app to be used as vaccine passport for travel, says Shapps April 28, 2021 Brits will use the existing NHS Covid-19 app to show their vaccine status if they wish to travel abroad, transport secretary Grant Shapps has confirmed this morning. The app will be retooled to function as a vaccine passport, Shapps said, or to show a negative test result. “It will be the NHS app that is [...]
Covid connections: Pandemic narrows digital divide as more Brits go online April 28, 2021 While it may be hard to find silver linings in lockdown, it appears the rapid shift to online services has had its benefits. A surge in demand for internet services over the last year means the UK’s digital divide has narrowed even further, with more and more Brits getting connected. The proportion of homes without [...]
Exclusive: Remote working is just as effective, but it can hurt pay and promotion, HR execs warn April 27, 2021 As the City is gradually coming out of lockdown, a range of large companies and financial institutions announced in recent weeks that hybrid working is here to stay. HSBC became the latest big financial services firm to confirm it is making some sweeping structural changes to its working pattern as it adjusts to the post-pandemic [...]
Vaccine passports: Key to normalisation but many obstacles remain April 27, 2021 Following the UK’s roadmap for the lifting of restrictions, those living in England could be allowed to embark on a foreign holiday as early as 17 May. Europe plans to launch a digital health pass scheme in June to save this summer’s holiday season from the pandemic, but technical and political obstacles are showing just [...]
Pandemic legacy: This is just the beginning for online shopping as sector sees five years of growth in 12 months April 27, 2021 The vast majority of UK consumers who bought online for the first time during the pandemic will continue to buy online, despite the High Street having reopened earlier this month. The pandemic is the main reason for this shift, with 56 per cent of clothes shoppers telling digital marketing agency MullenLowe Profero they bought more [...]
UK to Greece vaccine passports are ‘forthcoming’, Greek minister says April 27, 2021 Covid-19 passports between the UK and Greece are “forthcoming”, the Greek government has said today, allowing some vaccinated Brits to island hop this summer. Foreign holidays this year are increasingly on the cards as vaccine passports have gained traction. The Greek tourism minister, Harry Theoharis, said Greece is looking to welcome back UK tourists who [...]
Q+A: Covid-19 vaccine rollout extended to all those over 42, your questions answered April 27, 2021 The Covid-19 vaccine rollout has been extended in England for the second time in two days. Adults aged 42 and over are now able to book their jab. Here’s a quick Q+A to bring you up to speed as the NHS in England takes another step forward in the biggest vaccination programme in its history. [...]