To accompany our Navigating beyond coronavirus resources , this article looks at how consumer behaviour towards food, health and wellness have changed during lockdown and what the future may hold. There’s no doubt that Covid-19 has transformed many aspects of our lives and will continue to do so for the foreseeable future. Within the food and consumer goods industry the impact...

With the UK on the brink of a deep recession and many households facing increasing financial pressure as a consequence of coronavirus, IGD’s Chief Economist James Walton explores the relationship between health and wealth and highlights some key considerations for food businesses. The post-Coronavirus landscape IGD has created hypotheses describing possible long-term effects of Coro...

Public Health England, Food Standards Agency and Defra have issued updated guidance for all workplaces involved in the manufacturing, processing, warehousing, picking, packaging, and retailing of food. It includes a new section on the prevention of infection and a revised section on management of outbreaks, including contact details for health protection teams. See LINK for full d...

The Northern Ireland Executive has announced indicative dates for further relaxation of the COVID-19 regulations. The announcement includes the planned re-opening of the hospitality sector from 3 July. The Executive also agreed to relax the two-metre social distancing rule to no less than one metre, where appropriate mitigations can be made. See LINK for further details See ...

Many dining and hospitality businesses will re-open from 04 July, in-line with the loosening of “lockdown” conditions. To manage risk, it is envisaged that considerable eating and drinking will take place outdoors, in “pavement” environments. The licensing process for seating and stalls is to be simplified, making it easier for businesses to serve customers outside. Pubs and rest...

The Welsh government has issued new COVID-19 guidance following recent outbreaks and incidents at three meat and food plants in Wales. The new guidance covers: Procedures to manage suspected cases, including information about the NHS Wales Test, Trace, Protect service Workplace risk assessment Communications with employees Shared accommodation and transport to site En...

In March, Government temporarily relaxed rules on MOT tests for motor vehicles as part of the response to the coronavirus emergency. This measure is now ending, and mandatory testing is being reintroduced. LINK Small vehicles - cars, vans, and motorbikes will need a MOT certificate from 01 August (if they are more than 3 years old). Drivers with a MOT due date before 1 August w...

Since 08 June, persons entering the UK have been required to self-isolate for 14 days to help control coronavirus (exemptions apply). The government has now announced that it plans to relax these extra-ordinary measures shortly for arrivals from countries deemed to be “lower risk”. Despite this, travellers are reminded of the need to maintain safety precautions. A full list of th...

In the Government’s document “Our Plan to Rebuild”, it states that the relaxation of lockdown measures may be reversed on a local basis according to medical outcomes. This has now happened in several locations, including GP surgeries, hospitals, and food processing plants. The government has now gone further and taken measures to cover a whole city. Leicester and surrounding commun...

Following the global outbreak of coronavirus (COVID-19), IGD is working closely with the UK Government and the food industry. Here is a summary of some of the key developments we have picked up. Local lockdowns The government has announced measures to tackle an increase in COVID-19 cases in Leicester. This includes delaying both the reopening of the hospitality sector due to take pl...