UK Shuts Down Gaming to Protect Citizenry from Spreading Coronavirus
Published March 25, 2020 by Lee R
In trying times, the UK is doing best to protect gaming workers.
In a move that unfortunately surprised almost no one, the UK has shut down all gaming activity due to Coronavirus.
Worker Protections
All casinos, betting shops, and bingo halls have been instructed to temporarily shut down, with Chancellor Rishi Sunak announcing plans to help protect workers affected by the closures.
The Shut-Down
The measures were imposed March 20th on the same day Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced them.
The gaming ports will be closed until further notice, with periodic 28 day reviews constituting the window for re-opening until the pandemic subsides.
Inclusion with Greater Closures
Betting shops, bingo halls and casinos were not spared from the nationwide closures of most commercial storefronts, including restaurants, cafes, pubs, bars, cinemas, theatres, nightclubs, gyms, leisure centres and museums as the global shut down progresses in the wrong direction.
Corona's Legal Basis
The closures are legally enforceable due to the newly enacted threat to public health standard of the Health Protection (Coronavirus, Business Closures) Regulations 2020.
Closures will be monitored by Environmental Health and Trading Standards officers and backed by the police.
Financial Assistance
Measures to provide financial assistance to affected businesses and their staff were laid out by details provided by Chancellor Sunak set out details of the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme, which designated as intending to protect the workers most affected by the closures.
Businesses that retain workers during the closures will receive new government grants covering 80% of salaries up to £2,500 a month, which surpasses the median income for the UK.
Coverage
Chancellor Sunak assured that “The Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme will cover the cost of wages backdated to March 1st” for a period of three months, with the Chancellor prepared to extend the scheme longer if necessary.
Sunak also assured that no limits would be placed on funding, with the government prepared to pay grants “to support as many jobs as necessary.”
Outlook
The spending on preservation of the well-being of gaming workers is a welcome inclusion in a work program that could extend for months.
