COVID-19 (coronavirus): summary of key legislation and guidance affecting the UK construction industry (June 2020)

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COVID-19 (coronavirus): summary of key legislation and guidance affecting the UK construction industry (June 2020)

COVID-19 (coronavirus): summary of key legislation and guidance affecting the UK construction industry (June 2020)

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June 16, 2020

A round-up of the key legislation, guidance and measures issued to help the UK construction industry deal with the effects of coronavirus (COVID-19). Government and industry guidance is being updated regularly. For the latest information affecting your business, get in touch with one of the Key Contacts or visit Dentons' COVID-19 hub.

Information contained in our COVID-19 articles and publications are correct at the time of print. This is however a constantly evolving situation across the globe and specific advice and guidance should be sought as required.

COVID-19 guidance differs between the devolved administrations
Stay alert, contain the virus and save lives
Guidance: the UK government's plan to rebuild
Inquiry on post-pandemic economic growth
Working safely during COVID-19 – construction guidance
Guidance on site operations
Guidance: extended site hours (in England)
Government guidance on responsible contractual behaviour
COVID-19 guidance from UK industry bodies
Measures to restart the housing market
Planning issues
Financial support for businesses
Scottish legislation and guidance related to COVID-19
Welsh legislation and guidance related to COVID-19
Northern Irish legislation and guidance related to COVID-19
London
Guidance on PFI/PF2 service provision
PPN: use of procurement cards

Latest Guidance
COVID-19 guidance differs between the devolved administrations	Our Plan to Rebuild: the UK Government’s COVID-19 recovery strategy was published on 11 May 2020. It is important to note that some of these changes affect only England (as effected by The Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) (England) (Amendment) (No. 2) Regulations 2020 SI 2020/500 made on 12 May 2020). The devolved administrations are each taking a different approach on how to protect people from the effects of COVID-19. The following is a snapshot of the latest guidance applicable on the dates stated. Updates are being released frequently. In all cases, check the date on the guidance at source via the links given to ensure compliance with the latest publications. Or access the government websites here: UK: https://www.gov.uk/coronavirus Scotland: https://www.gov.scot/coronavirus-covid-19/ Wales: https://gov.wales/coronavirus Northern Ireland: https://www.nidirect.gov.uk/articles/coronavirus-covid-19-overview-and-advice
Stay alert, contain the virus and save lives	The government has issued updated COVID-19 guidance to "stay alert, contain the virus and save lives" (update 4 June 2020) which applies in England. The advice was published as part of the government's plan (see below) "to return life to as near normal as we can, for as many people as we can, as quickly and fairly as possible in order to safeguard livelihoods, but in a way that is safe and continues to protect our NHS". It covers: protecting different groups of people; activity outside the home; returning to school; going to the shops, other businesses and venues; visiting public places; public gatherings; going to work; enforcing the law; clinically vulnerable people; and communicating with the public.
Guidance: the UK government's plan to rebuild	In Our Plan to Rebuild: the UK Government’s COVID-19 recovery strategy (updated 26 May 2020), the government sets out UK progress to date in tackling the COVID-19 outbreak and its plans for moving to the next phase of its response to the virus. Described as "a cautious roadmap to easing existing measures in a safe and measured way, subject to successfully controlling the virus and being able to monitor and react to its spread", the roadmap will be constantly reviewed as understanding of COVID-19 develops. It references the government's original plan of 3 March 2020 and acknowledges that this is not a short-term crisis – nor is there is an easy or quick solution. The government focuses on getting the number of new cases down: "holding R [the virus' reproduction level] below 1 will reduce the number of new cases down to a level that allows for the effective tracing of new cases; this, in turn, will enable the total number of daily transmissions to be held at a low level". The plan reviews the government aims of saving lives and livelihoods, dealing with the effects on the nations' health, the economic and social effects, the overarching principles for fighting the virus (informed by the science, fairness, proportionality, privacy and transparency) and sets out the approach for the future (a phased recovery – in England). To support that recovery, the government will deliver 14 ambitious programmes of work, including: supporting and protecting the NHS; protecting care homes; smarter shielding of the most vulnerable; more effective risk-based protection measures; accurate disease monitoring and reactive measures; testing and tracing; increased scientific understanding; COVID-19 Secure guidelines; better distancing measures; economic and social support to maintain livelihoods and restore the economy; treatments and vaccines; international action and awareness; public communication, understanding and enforcement; and sustainable government structures. Note: different approaches are being taken by the devolved administrations. See the links above and below.
Inquiry on post-pandemic economic growth	The Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) Committee has launched a new super inquiry on Post-Pandemic Economic Growth. It will review government options for securing economic recovery from the impact of COVID-19; and will cover investment, industrial strategy, jobs, skills, exports and sustainable growth. The closing date for submissions is 17 July 2020.
Working safely during COVID-19 – construction guidance	Working safely during coronavirus (COVID-19) (updated 29 May 2020) includes eight separate guides for different sectors, one of which addresses safety issues for Construction and other outdoor work. (The guide can be downloaded as a pdf here: Working safely during coronavirus (COVID-19) in construction and other outdoor work.) The guidance provides a practical framework for people to work safely to enable operations to continue or restart during the pandemic. It makes clear that workers should not be forced into an unsafe environment. While it was prepared with the devolved administrations, those operating in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland must read the public health guidance specific to those administrations (which are different), so do check in each case. Updates to the guidance can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/working-safely-during-coronavirus-covid-19/updates. The guidance is non-statutory and each business must decide how to apply the guidance to its own operations. Existing legal obligations relating to Health and Safety (H&S), employment and equality are not affected. A risk assessment to assess and manage COVID-19-related risks must be carried out as for other hazards. Links to additional guidance can be found here: Coronavirus (COVID-19): what you need to do Coronavirus (COVID-19): guidance for employers and businesses Coronavirus (COVID-19): HSE guidance on gloves Coronavirus (COVID-19): HSE guidance on mask fittings Coronavirus (COVID-19): Department of Health and Social Care guidance on masks The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) references the above government guidance on safety but adds a note of warning to employers that "many businesses operate more than one type of workplace, such as an office, factory and fleet of vehicles. You may need to use more than one of these guides as you think through what you should do to keep people safe". BEIS published 5 steps to working safely (a set of practical actions for businesses to take based on five main steps) (19 May 2020). It includes updates to section 2.2 of the Construction and other outdoor work guidance and details on test and trace (29 May 2020).
Guidance on site operations	The CLC issued version 4 of the Site Operating Procedures (SOP4) on 19 May 2020. SOP4 includes technical changes to reflect the updated government guidance including links to that guidance. The government has recommended compliance with SOP4. The Construction Industry Training Board (CITB) in collaboration with the CLC (and supported by Build UK) has published site operating forms and checklists to help those operating sites during the COVID-19 pandemic. The documents, which are compatible with SOP4 and can be found on the CITB communication updates page, include: site operating procedures checklists; SOP compliance checklist; a health, safety and environmental risk assessment template; a weekly site operating checklist; and a "toolbox talk" for construction workers.
Guidance: extended site hours (in England)	The Ministry of Housing Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) has issued updates to the working safely guidance first published on 11 May 2020 (above) including: recognition in a written ministerial statement on planning and construction hours (13 May 2020) that the construction industry (in England) will have to adapt its normal working practices to ensure the safety of its workers. It might, for example, have to organise longer working hours to facilitate staggered shifts to ensure safe working on site. The statement guides local planning authorities to be more flexible in their approach to requests from developers to amend temporarily a condition or a construction management plan in the usual way. Applications for extended working until 9pm, Monday to Saturday inclusive (and even 24-hour working in some cases), should only be refused where the work would have a significant impact on local residents or businesses; and Coronavirus (COVID-19): construction update Q&A (13 May 2020) to address questions and answers on the government's announcement that construction site working hours could be extended to enable safe, socially distanced, working practices (in England).
Government guidance on responsible contractual behaviour	The Cabinet Office has issued Guidance on responsible contractual behaviour in the performance and enforcement of contracts impacted by the COVID-19 emergency (7 May 2020) which encourages public and private contracting parties to act responsibly and fairly to support the response to COVID-19, and protect jobs and the economy. Its recommendations, which are non-statutory, encourage collaboration and responsible and fair behaviour, particularly in relation to disputes. The guidance does not override specific government guidance or procurement policy notes or other specific support available (whether in the relevant contract, applicable laws, government/COVID-19-related relief or wider legal obligations). Responsible behaviour will help achieve the key objectives of maintaining contractual performance, ensuring cash flow throughout the supply chain. Where contract fulfilment is not possible, the object is to preserve contracts, markets and supply chains during the pandemic ready for a restart when the emergency ends. Where relevant contracts are materially affected by COVID-19 and fair and equitable outcomes are achievable, reasonable behaviour is requested in relation to the full range of contractual performance including: impaired performance; allowing extensions of time or alternative performance; action in relation to force majeure; frustration; change in law; relief events; delay events; compensation events and excusing cause claims; facilitating payments; acting on damages claims; exercising contractual remedies; supplying information; keeping records; making, and responding to, requests for contract changes and variations and consents; dispute resolution procedures and alternative dispute resolution (ADR); and enforcing judgments. Parties are strongly encouraged to seek early resolution of emerging contractual issues using ADR methods such as negotiation, mediation or other fast-track dispute resolution such as the Construction Industry Council (CIC) and the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors' (RICS) Low Value Disputes Model Adjudication Procedure and to sign up to the Conflict Avoidance Pledge or the summary fast-track (15-day) adjudication service which will have capped fees (see RICS Adjudication Services). The guidance also refers contracting parties to the COVID-19-related relief given by virtue of the changes to the insolvency rules (including a proposed moratorium on creditor action) announced on 28 March 2020 and the CLC guidance, such as The Site Operating Procedures (version 4) and The CLC's range of COVID-19 Site Safety Checklists and Forms (including site operating procedures checklist; health, safety and environment assessment template; COVID-19 toolbox for construction workers; and a weekly site operating checklist). This guidance does not apply in the devolved administrations and will be reviewed on or before 30 June 2020.
COVID-19 guidance from UK industry bodies	The Construction Leadership Council’s (CLC) COVID-19 Task Force published The roadmap to recovery plan on 1 June 2020 which sets out proposals to secure the future of construction businesses nationwide, while setting the industry on a sustainable path towards recovery. The task force is now working with the government on how to deliver those proposals. In summary, the strategy aims to increase the level of activity across the construction ecosystem, accelerate the process of industry adjustment to the new normal, and build capacity in the industry to deliver strategic priorities, including: increasing prosperity across the UK; decarbonisation; modernisation through digital and manufacturing technologies; and delivering better, safer buildings. The plan comprises three phases deliverable over two years: restart: increase output, maximise employment and minimise disruption (0-3 months); reset: drive demand, increase productivity, strengthen capability in the supply chain (3-12 months); and reinvent: transform the industry, deliver better value, collaboration and partnership (12-24 months). As well as calling for the delay in implementation of the VAT reverse charge and flexibility when it comes to apprenticeship charges, the recovery plan also highlights the need to collaborate and avoid disputes, and for public authorities to comply with Public Procurement Notice 02/20. The CLC published CLC COVID-19 Contractual Best Practice Guidance on 7 May (updated on 28 May 2020) which supports the Cabinet Office guidance of 7 May 2020 and aims to encourage contracting parties to avoid disputes by giving guidance on and the use of the Low Value Disputes Model Adjudication Procedure. The Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE) is seeking views on infrastructure and the "new normal". On behalf of the Infrastructure Client Group (ICG), the ICE has launched a Green Paper consultation. The Green Paper discusses the early lessons learnt from the outbreak of COVID-19 in the UK and proposes consultation questions to gauge what future infrastructure provision should look like. The ICG hopes the responses will help with the development of an industry recovery plan for reinventing UK infrastructure post COVID-19. The consultation closes on 14 June 2020. The Home Builders Federation (HBF) published its Charter for Safe Working Practice "to ensure that home building activity is carried out safely and in accordance with the advice of Government and Public Health England during the ongoing coronavirus pandemic". The HBF hopes that compliance with the Charter will help contribute to the economic recovery while protecting the health and safety of the home building workforce, visitors to site and the local community. The HBF hopes to collaborate with the government and wider industry in the production of further safe working practices. The HSE has published: a toolkit designed to assist employers to manage and assess risks at work arising from COVID-19 on 12 May 2020; Working safely during the coronavirus outbreak – a short guide (PDF). The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has issued a letter (20 April 2020) dealing with business interruption insurance for SMEs estimating that most policies will have basic cover only and will not cover pandemics (meaning there is no obligation to pay out). However, policies under which there is an obligation to pay should be assessed and settled quickly. Details of a test case being brought by the FCA on this issue can be found here: https://www.fca.org.uk/news/statements/business-interruption-insurance-during-coronavirus
Measures to restart the housing market	Housing Secretary, Robert Jenrick, has confirmed that people can move house after 13 May 2020 provided they follow Government advice on home moving during the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak (updated 21 May 2020). This guidance applies in England to people moving between private residential homes and promotes the government's "stay alert, contain the virus and save lives" campaign (updated 4 June 2020). It focuses on public health to enable key house moving activities to take place safely. The guidance recognises that scenarios will differ in each case. Those involved will need to be flexible and adapt the usual practices and procedures to ensure that the risk of spreading COVID-19 is reduced as far as possible. This will include moving "processes online, such as virtual initial viewings; vacating your current property whilst other people are shown around; and ensuring your property is thoroughly cleaned before someone else moves in" as well as no open house viewings and "no touching" when viewing. Other practical measures are included in the guidance for all steps in the buying and selling process. Vulnerable people, those shielding, those who have tested positive for COVID-19 and those self-isolating will need to take particular care to stay home and avoid unnecessary contact. The UK government's COVID-19 recovery strategy (published 11 May and updated 26 May 2020) confirmed that construction work can be undertaken across England providing sites can operate safely under the COVID-19 Secure guidelines. As more house builders reopen English sites following the gradual easing of COVID-19 restrictions, Robert Jenrick, the Secretary of State for the MHCLG, confirmed on 13 May 2020 that sites could open for longer to allow measures such as shift working and staggered use of public transport to be implemented. (Note that the position is different in the devolved administrations. For the latest information, see the links to the COVID-19 websites for the devolved administrations set out below.) The Law Society has published a cross-industry guide to support government plans to reopen the housing market, enabling people to move home safely (13 May 2020). The first in a series of guides to kick start the housing market, and backed by the MHCLG, the guidance (aimed at housing market professionals and property developers) describes how house moves can take place in compliance with social distancing measures and Public Health England guidance. The Office for National Statistics (ONS) released a public statement on 20 May 2020 about COVID-19 and its effect on ONS statistics, in which it stressed the need to produce impartial information upon which key industry decision-makers can rely to make fully informed decisions. The introduction of COVID-19 restrictions in March 2020 has led to fewer housing transactions and price fluctuations in the March 2020 UK House Price Index. The ONS, concerned that this could mean more volatility in their estimates, has suspended the UK House Price Index until further notice as from the April 2020 index (which was due to be released on 17 June 2020). Coronavirus (COVID-19): liquidity support for SME house builders was issued on 7 May 2020 and sets up a £100 million emergency loan fund to support small and medium-sized house builders with liquidity issues due to the temporary closure of housebuilding sites.
Planning issues	The MHCLG has updated the Planning Practice Guidance (PPG), to explain how planning consultation and publicity can continue during the COVID-19 pandemic. See Coronavirus (COVID-19): planning update.
Financial support for businesses	Latest measures taken by the government in relation to support provided to businesses include: New regulations in force from 1 June 2020 (including allowing outdoor gatherings of up to six people): Heath Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) (England) (Amendment) (No. 3) Regulations 2020 (SI 2020/558); Guidance for the public on the phased return of outdoor sport and recreation in England (1 June 2020); Chancellor extends Self-Employment Support Scheme and confirms furlough next steps (29 May 2020); An extension of the maximum loan size available through the Coronavirus Large Business Interruption Loan Scheme from £50 million to £200 million: Larger businesses to benefit from loans of up to £200 million; Billion pound support package for innovative firms hit by coronavirus (20 April 2020); Holiday entitlement and pay during coronavirus (COVID-19) (13 May 2020); and SI 2020/512 The Statutory Sick Pay (Coronavirus) (Funding of Employers’ Liabilities) Regulations 2020 which provide for certain small and medium-sized employers to apply to HMRC for a refund of the cost of paying Statutory Sick Pay to their employees.
Scottish legislation and guidance related to COVID-19	The devolved administration's approach to dealing with COVID-19 differs in some key respects from Westminster's approach. Each business must check the guidance appropriate to the location of their business/site in each case. The Scottish Government has undertaken the following measures. The Scottish Government implemented the lockdown restrictions in Scotland under The Health Protection (Coronavirus) (Restrictions) (Scotland) Regulations 2020 SSI 2020/103 on 26 March 2020. The objectives for the implementation of the powers under the statute are similar to the UK government's and were set out in this policy note of the same date: http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ssi/2020/103/pdfs/ssipn_20200103_en.pdf. The Coronavirus (Scotland) (No. 2) Bill: business and regulatory impact assessment was introduced on 11 May 2020 as part of the Scottish Government's continued response to the COVID-19 outbreak. The Bill complements and supplements the Coronavirus (Scotland) Act 2020 (passed 1 April 2020), and the Coronavirus Act 2020 (passed by the UK Parliament on 25 March 2020, to which the Scottish Parliament gave its consent on 24 March 2020). The Bill adjusts laws to provide protection during the COVID-19 outbreak; adjusts aspects of the justice system to ensure the disposal of essential judicial business; and makes provision to ensure business and public services can continue to operate effectively during the "lockdown" period when pressures on public services are acute. (See also the Press release.) Coronavirus (COVID-19): guidance is a collection of guidance about COVID-19 relating to business, health, education and housing. Relaxations to the lockdown were implemented on 29 May 2020 under the Health Protection (Coronavirus) (Restrictions) (Scotland) Amendment (No. 3) Regulations 2020 (SI 2020/164) which amend the Health Protection (Coronavirus) (Restrictions) (Scotland) Regulations 2020 (SI 2020/103) (Principal Regulations). For example, some outdoor activities can now take place and some businesses can begin preparing to restart (21 May 2020). Coronavirus (COVID-19) framework for decision making: publications sets out the challenges that Scotland faces and its approach to making decisions in the COVID-19 pandemic as it transitions out of the current lockdown. The framework sets out a route map which indicates the order in which the Scottish Government will seek to change current restrictions – carefully and gradually. It provides practical examples of what people, organisations and businesses can expect to see change over time. (See: Scottish Government: Coronavirus (COVID-19): framework for decision making sets out Scotland's route map through and out of the crisis (21 May 2020)). Coronavirus (COVID-19): construction sector guidance was published on 28 May 2020 and provides guidance on construction sites and associated works that can continue under specific conditions. A COVID-19 risk assessment is essential with "full input from trade union or workforce representatives, and to keep all risk mitigation measures under regular review so that workplaces continue to feel, and be, safe". Compliance with social distancing requirements remains a priority. The guidance references the earlier letter from the Minister for Local Government, Housing and Planning: Letter to the Chair of Construction Scotland (21 May 2020)) which sets out a phased return to work approach in Construction Scotland's "Construction restart plan" (below and here), Phase 0: Planning Phase 1: COVID-19 Pre-start Site prep Phase 2: "Soft start" to site works (only where physical distancing can be maintained) Phase 3: Steady state operation (only where physical distancing can be maintained) Phase 4: Steady state operation (where physical distancing can be maintained and/or with PPE use) Phase 5: Increasing density/productivity with experience. (The Construction restart plan also includes examples of a COVID-19 back to work SOP readiness and an example of a site standards guide.) The Scottish Government, in its construction guidance, promised further collaboration and gradual progress through the phases – subject to health and safety restrictions and infection rates. The latest plan is for the Scottish construction sector to implement the first two phases in the restart plan (planning and pre-start site preparations) with a decision to move to "Phase 2" of the construction sector's plan (soft restart) only after consulting with government to ensure it is safe to do so and in line with public health advice. Decisions on the timing of progression through phases will be made in line with the route map. Note: all guidance must be read in conjunction with the Scottish Government’s business and physical distancing guidance. Coronavirus (COVID-19): preparations for contracting authorities to restart the procurement and management of construction contracts: CPN 3/2020 (28 May 2020) "sets out matters for contracting authorities to consider when making preparations in readiness to implement procurement procedures for new projects and reopen public construction sites which are currently closed due to restrictions for mitigating COVID-19". Coronavirus (COVID-19): managing disputes and cash flow: CPN 4/2020 was published on 28 May 2020. It "sets out matters for contracting authorities to consider when making preparations in readiness to implement procurement procedures for new projects and reopen public construction sites which are currently closed due to restrictions for mitigating COVID-19. (Both CPN 3 and 4/2020 are not instructions to reopen closed sites or to begin work on new sites where the project is not for essential work". Reference is also made to CPN 1/2020 and 2/2020 and SPPN 4/2020, 5/2020 and 6/2020.) Sector guidance for easing lockdown (published 26 May 2020) sets out new guidance for retailers and manufacturers to consider how people can safely return to work during the COVID-19 pandemic. Businesses are expected to take a "robust risk management approach". It includes links to the following guidance:Coronavirus (COVID-19): manufacturing sector guidance: Coronavirus (COVID-19): retail sector guidance (COVID-19): guidance for customers COVID-19: Scotland’s route map for transitioning through and out of the crisis and Coronavirus (COVID-19): safer work places statement. As well as links to HSE guidance (also referred to above): Working safely during the coronavirus outbreak – a short guide Coronavirus (COVID-19) Phase 1: returning to work guidance was published on 29 May 2020 and sets out new guidance for workers and employers on returning to work safely. The Coronavirus (Scotland) (No.2) Bill was introduced on 11 May 2020 to make changes to help public services to operate during the COVID-19 pandemic. Most of the Bill's measures will expire at the end of September 2020 (with scope to extend its duration for up to a maximum duration of a further year, if Parliament approves or for an early end to the Bill if the measure is no longer needed). In a letter to local authorities, Coronavirus (COVID-19): building standards – special measures to enable the occupation of new buildings (30 March 2020), the Scottish Government acknowledged that a pragmatic and flexible approach is needed to the way that building standards are delivered and, in particular, to the way that completion certificates are processed and buildings occupation obtained. The process is set out in the letter. For details of all Scottish measures, see: https://www.gov.scot/coronavirus-covid-19/.
Welsh legislation and guidance related to COVID-19	The devolved administration's approach to dealing with COVID-19 differs in some key respects from Westminster's approach. Each business must check the guidance appropriate to the location of their business/site in each case. The Welsh government has undertaken the following measures. The Health Protection (Coronavirus Restrictions) (Wales) (Amendment) (No. 3) Regulations 2020 (SI 2020/497) (Regulations) on 11 May 2020 – the third set of amendments to the Health Protection (Coronavirus Restrictions) (Wales) Regulations 2020 (SI 2020/353) (the Principal Regulations). Changes include a requirement for ministers to consider the proportionality of requirements and restrictions when reviewing the Principal Regulations. Libraries, garden centres and plant nurseries may now open – subject to compliance with social distancing measures. People may now leave home to pick up pre-ordered goods from a shop, or to use a library, or recycling or waste disposal facility and there is no limit on the number of times a day a person may leave home to exercise provided they remain local. The Health Protection (Coronavirus Restrictions) (Wales) (Amendment) (No. 4) Regulations 2020 (SI 2020/529) (Regulations) came into force on 22 May (the fourth set of amendments to the Principal Regulations). Amendments include an increase to the amount of the fixed penalty for repeated breaches of the Principal Regulations, up to a maximum of £1,920. For details of all Welsh measures, see: https://gov.wales/coronavirus
Northern Irish legislation and guidance related to COVID-19	For details of all Northern Ireland measures, see: https://www.nidirect.gov.uk/articles/coronavirus-covid-19-overview-and-advice
London	MHCLG and BEIS announced plans for London’s COVID-19 recovery on 22 May 2020 (updated 23 May 2020). "A new London Transition Board will co-ordinate London’s response as it emerges from the lockdown and begins to reopen its economy while controlling the virus."
Guidance on PFI/PF2 service provision	The Infrastructure and Projects Authority published Supporting vital service provision in PFI/PF2 contracts during the COVID-19 emergency (issued on 2 April, updated 28 May 2020) which should be read alongside the PPN02/20. It encourages Private Finance Initiative (PFI) contractors to consider themselves part of the public sector response to the current COVID-19 emergency. It asks PFI contracting counterparties to co-operate to safeguard the public services delivery, to keep contingency plans up to date and to work with contracting authorities to ensure full services are delivered as far as possible (particularly across the NHS). In turn, it asks contracting authorities to work closely with PFI contractors to use all available options to maintain public services, including maintaining unitary charge payments, revising contract requirements (including necessary changes to the scope of contracts) as well as moderating payment and performance mechanisms if appropriate. See also Contracting authorities – act now to safeguard supplies during the COVID-19 outbreak (United Kingdom). The guidance was updated on 28 May 2020 to include a set of Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) on the scope and application of the guidance: it should be read alongside, and is consistent with, the Cabinet Office Procurement Policy Note – Supplier relief due to COVID-19 and Guidance notes on Model Interim Payment Terms – Procurement Policy Note 02/20.
PPN: use of procurement cards	Following the issue of Procurement Policy Notes (PPN) 01/20 and 02/20 in April 2020, the Cabinet Office issued Procurement Policy Note 03/20: Use of procurement cards – COVID-19 (PPN 03/20) which recognises that, as a result of the significant pressure on cash flow caused by the COVID-19 outbreak, ensuring payments to suppliers has become a priority. Increasing the use of procurement cards can help central government departments, their executive agencies and non-departmental public bodies (in-scope organisations) to accelerate payments to suppliers to improve their cash flow. The guidance in PPN 03/20 urges in-scope organisations to engage with their procurement card provider to improve the process by taking action to increase transaction limits, to ensure that an appropriate number of staff are authorised to use these cards and to set PPN 03/20 compliant limits for key card holders.