March 2020: Issue 3
Following the UK government broadcast on 23/03/20 the advice for everyone is the same:  Stay at Home

  • Only go outside for food, health reasons or essential work
  • Stay 2 metres (6ft) away from other people
  • Wash your hands as soon as you get home

MWT is promoting the following message to visitors across our social media channels and on our websites, www.visitmidwales.co.uk and www.showmewales.co.uk -
Visit Mid Wales... Later.

Please do not visit Mid Wales at this time and avoid all unnecessary travel within Wales.
Mid Wales has very limited NHS resources with only 2 main hospitals serving the counties of Powys, Ceredigion & Gwynedd.

We look forward to welcoming you back in future; but for now, let’s all  #staysafe  and look after each other.

Following these guidelines will help save lives.

Thank You
What this means for your business
Many of you, our member businesses, have been forced to close your doors.

Planning rules have been relaxed so pubs and restaurants can operate as hot food takeaways; if it is feasible to adapt your business model you may be able to continue trading in this capacity. Further information here .

This is a surreal time for all of us and we encourage you to continue supporting one another in our members Facebook group and reaching out to us on 01654 702653.

MWT continues to keep a close eye on developments surrounding the COVID-19 virus, and we are endeavouring to keep our www.mwtcymru.co.uk website updated.
Statutory Self Employment Pay
For self employed/freelancers, you may have heard that there is an amendment to the Coronavirus bill being submitted. The purpose of this amendment is to make the Government ‘top up’ self-employed workers’ earnings to the lower of 80% of their net monthly earnings averaged over three years, or £2,917 a month.
Guidance and advice to support non-essential travel in the UK
" Essential travel does not include visits to second homes, camp sites, caravan parks or similar, whether for isolation purposes or holidays. People should remain in their primary residence. Not taking these steps puts additional pressure on communities and services that are already at risk."
Government Business Support
UK Government launches new site that collates information regarding the support available for businesses. 
How to Guide: Facebook Live Streaming
We are seeing an increasing number of businesses live streaming to their customers during this difficult time. It can be a great way to keep in touch. 

When people can't visit Mid Wales in person, let's bring Mid Wales to them. 

A 'How to' Guide is now available to download from the new temporary homepage of www.mwtcymru.co.uk (scroll down - it's below Marketing & Communications').
Martin Lewis making £1m available to fund urgent small-charity coronavirus poverty relief
This won't be relevant to you all, but might be of interest to charity groups associated with our community town council members - Martin Lewis is releasing £1,000,000 from his personal charity fund to provide grants of £5,000 to £20,000 to small registered charities, or local arms of bigger charities, across the UK - to help with specific UK coronavirus-related poverty relief projects.

Examples could include food banks, charities engaged in community aid, financial advice help and more. 

Applications close at 11:59pm on Wednesday 25th March 2020.

N.B. This is for charities only to apply, but MWT members may wish to raise awareness amongst your local communities.
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