Stock markets around the world suffered historic losses in the first three months of the year amid a massive sell-off tied to the coronavirus. The Dow Jones Industrial Average and London’s FTSE 100 saw their biggest quarterly drops since 1987, plunging 23% and 25% respectively. The S&P 500 lost 20% during the quarter, its worst […]
Temporary closure of the UK Visa Application Centre in Taiwan The worldwide response to COVID-19 continues to affect the UK’s Visa and Immigration services. The UK Visa Application Centre in Taiwan is closed to new applications and the processing of current applications will be delayed. We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause you. For […]
Guinness will provide financial support to bar staff and vulnerable groups as we face unprecedented challenges from the impact of the COVID-19 Guinness announced the establishment of a €1.5 million fund providing support to communities affected by COVID-19 in Ireland. The fund will see €1.2 million go to support bar staff, alongside a further €300,000 […]
Useful Links (UK): British Chambers of Commerce (UK) – Coronavirus Hub Confederation of British Industry – Coronavirus Hub Coronavirus (COVID-19): UK government response Coronavirus (COVID-19): guidance for UK businesses A full list of Government supports for UK businesses UK Government: Sign up for email alerts on COVID-19 Response to Coronavirus (Covid-19) from Bank of England Coronavirus newsletter from […]
Strict new curbs on life in the UK to tackle the spread of coronavirus have been announced by the prime minister. People may only leave home to exercise once a day, to travel to and from work where “absolutely necessary”, to shop for essential items, and to fulfil any medical or care needs. Shops selling […]
Urgent assistance If you’re abroad, read our dedicated coronavirus travel advice for all our latest guidance on travel during the COVID-19 pandemic. If you are in Taiwan and you need urgent help (for example, you’ve been attacked, arrested or someone has died), call +886 2 8758 2088. If you’re in the UK and worried about a British […]
Guidance for British people travelling and living overseas during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. Published 4 February 2020 Last updated 18 March 2020 — see all updates From: Foreign & Commonwealth Office Exceptional travel advisory notice The Foreign & Commonwealth Office (FCO) now advises British people against all non-essential travel worldwide. This advice takes effect immediately and applies initially for […]
CHINA Q1 plunge of 9% forecast China’s economy is set to post a 9 percent plunge in the first quarter from a year earlier, Goldman Sachs Group Inc said yesterday. A day after retail sales, industrial output and investment data plunged by far more than the median estimate of analysts, Goldman economists said that their […]
TRANSPARENCY: The prime minister and senior officials are to hold daily televised briefings with medical advisers to explain the government’s response to the pandemic British Prime Minister Johnson was yesterday to ask businesses to help build medical equipment, as he tried to reboot his COVID-19 strategy after the UK death toll rose to 35. Amid […]