The ongoing coronavirus situation is changing by the hour with announcements being made about businesses and services that are being forced to adapt and change.

Punchline is committed to trying to keep you up to date with all the news that matters to you and your business.

Our team will update this story throughout the day, to ensure the latest important developments can be found in one - clickbait free - place.

If you or your business has any news, views or advice to share with the Gloucestershire business community, get in touch with Punchline team at news@moosemarketingandpr.co.uk.

Thursday, June 10

Update #8741 - 09.05 Latest coronavirus figures for the UK and Gloucestershire

The latest data for coronavirus cases and deaths of patients with COVID-19 were released yesterday by the Government's department of health and social care and NHS England.

Updated UK figures show the total number of deaths within 28 days of positive test rose to 127,867 - which includes those in care homes, hospitals and in the community.

This is an increase of seven on the previous day's figures.

Across the UK, 7,393 people have tested positive for the virus in the last 24 hour period and 4,542,986 since the outbreak began.

But on a more positive note, 40,886,878 people have now received their first dose of the coronavirus vaccine as of June 7 and 28,857,102 have received their second dose.

Latest Public Health England figures show that the total number of cases within the county since the start of the pandemic rose to 23,146, an increase of 50, as of Thursday afternoon.

The total number of deaths in Gloucestershire within 28 days of a positive test remains has remained at 951.

Cases for the latest 24 hour period are split across the following regions:

Gloucester - 6,603 cases (increase of 11)

Cheltenham - 3,882 cases (increase of 15)

Stroud - 3,856 cases (increase of five)

Tewkesbury - 3,021 cases (increase of seven)

Forest of Dean - 3,152 cases (increase of six)

Cotswold - 2,632 cases (increase of six)

Update #8740 - 11.25 'Serious problems' with traveller test kits

Travellers are at the mercy of "rogue operators" when it comes to coronavirus test providers.

An investigation by the consumer group Which? highlighted "serious problems" with the Government's list of recommended test suppliers.

It found that a number of the tests listed online were much more expensive than their listings suggested, while others were unobtainable.

People arriving from a country in the amber tier under the traffic light system are required to have pre-booked two post-arrival PCR tests to be taken on days two and eight.

The consumer group says its investigation shows "serious flaws" with the current system.

Update #8739 - 10.25 Latest coronavirus figures for the UK and Gloucestershire

The latest data for coronavirus cases and deaths of patients with COVID-19 were released yesterday by the Government's department of health and social care and NHS England.

Updated UK figures show the total number of deaths within 28 days of positive test rose to 127,860 - which includes those in care homes, hospitals and in the community.

This is an increase of six on the previous day's figures.

Across the UK, 7,540 people have tested positive for the virus in the last 24 hour period and 4,535,754 since the outbreak began.

But on a more positive note, 40,710,319 people have now received their first dose of the coronavirus vaccine as of June 7 and 28,540,844 have received their second dose.

Latest Public Health England figures show that the total number of cases within the county since the start of the pandemic rose to 23,095, an increase of 46, as of Tuesday afternoon.

The total number of deaths in Gloucestershire within 28 days of a positive test remains has remained at 951.

Cases for the latest 24 hour period are split across the following regions:

Gloucester - 6,592 cases (increase of 22)

Cheltenham - 3,867 cases (increase of five)

Stroud - 3,851 cases (increase of six)

Tewkesbury - 3,014 cases (increase of 10)

Forest of Dean - 3,146 cases (increase of one)

Cotswold - 2,626 cases (increase of two)

Wednesday, June 9

Update #8738 - 12.15 Halogen lights scrapped from September

Halogen light bulbs will be banned from this September as the Government strives to reach carbon emission targets.

Fluorescent lights will follow from September 2023.

It's part of a push towards LED bulbs. The aim is to improve energy efficiency.

LED lights are said to last five times longer than traditional halogen lightbulbs and produce the same amount of light - but using up to 80% less power.

Energy Minister, Anne-Marie Trevelyan, said: "By helping ensure electrical appliances use less energy but perform just as well, we're saving households money on their bills and helping tackle climate change."

Update #8737 - 12.10 Sunak 'willing to accept' delay to lockdown end

The Chancellor may be willing to accept a delay of up to four weeks to the end of lockdown, the Guardian is reporting.

Rishi Sunak is understood to be looking at data on cases and hospital admissions as the government considers whether to extend restrictions beyond 21st June.

From 21st June nightclubs are due to reopen, with the cap on wedding numbers, large-scale events and indoor mixing lifted. Guidance on working from home and mask-wearing is also due to be dropped.

Any delay would infuriate Conservative backbenchers like Steve Baker who called for "freedom day" to go ahead. He said it was the "last chance" to save industries such as hospitality, which wants the two-metre social distancing rule to be scrapped.

But, according to The Guardian, a Whitehall source said Sunak was not fixated on the 21st June date and was more concerned that when restrictions are lifted, the move can be permanent. 

Update #8736 - 11.55 BA and Ryanair to be investigated over refunds

 British Airways and Ryanair are under investigation for refusing to give refunds to people who were unable to fly during lockdowns.

The Competition and Markets Authority has opened enforcement cases into both firms.

The move comes following reports that consumers were being denied refunds for flights that they were not legally allowed to take.

British Airways offered vouchers or rebooking and Ryanair gave the option to rebook.

Andrea Coscelli, Chief Executive of the CMA, said: "We believe these people should have been offered their money back."

Update #8735 - 11.15 Latest coronavirus figures for the UK and Gloucestershire

The latest data for coronavirus cases and deaths of patients with COVID-19 were released yesterday by the Government's department of health and social care and NHS England.

Updated UK figures show the total number of deaths within 28 days of positive test rose to 127,854 - which includes those in care homes, hospitals and in the community.

This is an increase of 13 on the previous day's figures.

Across the UK, 6,048 people have tested positive for the virus in the last 24 hour period and 4,528,442 since the outbreak began.

But on a more positive note, 40,573,517 people have now received their first dose of the coronavirus vaccine as of June 7 and 28,227,362 have received their second dose.

Latest Public Health England figures show that the total number of cases within the county since the start of the pandemic rose to 23,050, an increase of 39, as of Tuesday afternoon.

The total number of deaths in Gloucestershire within 28 days of a positive test remains has remained at 951.

Cases for the latest 24 hour period are split across the following regions:

Gloucester - 6,570 cases (increase of 16)

Cheltenham - 3,862 cases (increase of seven)

Stroud - 3,845 cases (increase of two)

Tewkesbury - 3,004 cases (increase of eight)

Forest of Dean - 3,145 cases (increase of six)

Cotswold - 2,624 cases (no change)

Tuesday, June 8

Update #8734 - 11.35 Post Office campaign to stop cash disappearing

The Post Office has launched a campaign to stop cash disappearing from the high street and the wider community.

Nick Read, Chief Executive of Post Office, said: "Continued access to cash is not a luxury for millions of people and businesses across the country: it is an absolute necessity for their way of life.

"For them cash provides safety, security and even survival, which is why legislation is now needed to place an obligation on the banks, whose own customers' interests we are concerned with."

Widespread bank closures mean that access to cash machines has declined sharply.

The Save Our Cash campaign is calling for a legal obligation on banks to provide access to free to use cash machines.

It's estimated that about eight million adults would struggle without day-to-day cash. A staggering 1.4 million people do not even have a bank account and rely exclusively on cash to survive.

Update #8733 - 11.35 Retail sales bounce back in May

Retail sales bounced back in May, as the pent-up demand for in-store shopping returned.

As 2020 was such a turbulent year in which much of retail swung between being open and closed, all 2021 figures are compared with 2019 rather than last year.

On a total sales basis, sales increased by 10.0% in May against a decline of 2.7% in May 2019. This is above the 3-month average growth of 8.5%, again compared with two years ago.

Helen Dickinson OBE, Chief Executive | British Retail Consortium

"Retail sales were buoyant in May thanks to the reopening of hospitality, coupled with the afterglow of non-essential retail's own return."

Furniture and homeware sales continued to perform well, while clothing and footwear saw their second consecutive month of growth due to the warmer weather and easing of social restrictions.

The sales monitor is carried out jointly with KPMG. Paul Martin, KPMG UK Head of Retail, said it was 'a summer that starts with cautious optimism'.

Update #8732 - 11.30 Transport Secretary urges holidaymakers 'stay at home'

People should holiday at home rather than travelling abroad, the Transport Secretary has advised.

There are 'great places' in the UK holidaymakers can visit instead, George Eustice MP, told Sky News.

He said that people needed to be aware of the risks of travelling abroad like the current situation with Portugal where a change from 'green' to 'amber' has meant the chaos of Britons abandoning their holidays early to avoid quarantine.

"I will be staying at home. I have no intention of travelling or going on a holiday abroad this Summer," he said.

Update #8731 - 10.55 Coronavirus mobile testing locations this week (7-11 June)

Anyone with symptoms of Covid-19 can have a test. You must book a test in advance. Please do not turn up to one of the locations without booking - anyone without a booking risks being turned away.

To book a test or for more information on testing, go to the NHS website or call 119.

Latest locations and dates:

These dates are subject to change. Please check the GCC website for changes.

Update #8730 - 10.05 25-29-year-olds to be invited for jabs

Around 2.7 million people in England aged 25-29 will receive a text message from the national NHS in the next few days, inviting them to book their Covid-19 vaccination through the national booking system.

In Gloucestershire, most community vaccinations are being delivered through a network of 10 GP led Primary Care Network vaccination services. Local GPs will be in touch soon offering first dose appointments at one of these centres across the county.

More than 700,000 vaccinations have been given in the county so far, including more than 300,000 second doses.

Dr Andy Seymour, clinical chair of NHS Gloucestershire Clinical Commissioning Group, said: "I would urge people to take up the offer of a jab as soon as it's offered; the vaccination is our best chance of protecting ourselves from the most severe symptoms of COVID-19 and getting back to being able to do the things we like doing."

Update #8729 - 09.35 Latest coronavirus figures for the UK and Gloucestershire

The latest data for coronavirus cases and deaths of patients with COVID-19 were released yesterday by the Government's department of health and social care and NHS England.

Updated UK figures show the total number of deaths within 28 days of positive test rose to 127,841 - which includes those in care homes, hospitals and in the community.

This is an increase of one on the previous day's figures.

Across the UK, 5,683 people have tested positive for the virus in the last 24 hour period and 4,522,476 since the outbreak began.

But on a more positive note, 40,460,576 people have now received their first dose of the coronavirus vaccine as of June 7 and 27,921,294 have received their second dose.

Latest Public Health England figures show that the total number of cases within the county since the start of the pandemic rose to 23,011, an increase of 31, as of Monday afternoon.

The total number of deaths in Gloucestershire within 28 days of a positive test remains has remained at 952.

Cases for the latest 24 hour period are split across the following regions:

Gloucester - 6,554 cases (increase of nine)

Cheltenham - 3,855 cases (increase of three)

Stroud - 3,843 cases (increase of eight)

Tewkesbury - 2,996 cases (increase of four)

Forest of Dean - 3,139 cases (increase of four)

Cotswold - 2,624 cases (increase of three)

Monday, June 7

Update #8728 - 10.00 Latest coronavirus figures for the UK and Gloucestershire

The latest data for coronavirus cases and deaths of patients with COVID-19 were released yesterday by the Government's department of health and social care and NHS England.

Updated UK figures show the total number of deaths within 28 days of positive test rose to 127,840 - which includes those in care homes, hospitals and in the community.

This is an increase of four on the previous day's figures.

Across the UK, 5,341 people have tested positive for the virus in the last 24 hour period and 4,516,892 since the outbreak began.

But on a more positive note, 40,333,231 people have now received their first dose of the coronavirus vaccine as of June 2 and 27,661,353 have received their second dose.

Latest Public Health England figures show that the total number of cases within the county since the start of the pandemic sits at 22,980, as of Sunday afternoon.

The total number of deaths in Gloucestershire within 28 days of a positive test remains has increased by one to 952.

Cases for the latest 24 hour period are split across the following regions:

Gloucester - 6,545 cases (increase of 15)

Cheltenham - 3,852 cases (increase of 15)

Stroud - 3,852 cases (increase of one)

Tewkesbury - 2,992 cases (increase of five)

Forest of Dean - 3,135 cases (increase of one)

Cotswold - 2,621 cases (increase of four)