The leaders of Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland have also put their respective nations into the sort of lockdown not seen since March, limiting people's movement and closing non-essential shops, bars and restaurants.
People are also urged to work from home where possible. Manufacturing can continue to operate, however, as long as social distancing measures are followed. MM has spoken to a number of manufacturers to gauge opinion on the impact the new regulations will have on their activity.
“I don’t think it will change any trading aspects, so long as the overall economy doesn’t dip again too significantly," said Peter Davies, Chief Executive at James Lister & Sons, one of the UK’s longest established providers of engineering services and supplies. “On the flip side, closing the schools will, in my opinion, have a positive impact on reducing the spread of the virus. Whilst it may cause some issues with staff who have childcare responsibilities, I believe it is definitely the right thing to do.
“In fact, we have been ultra-cautious so far. Every time an employee has had a child sent home because there has been a positive case in their school class/year, wherever possible we have sent them home as well. In some cases, they have been able to partly work, in others we have just lost that productive capacity.
“Closing the schools should remove this issue and could make us more efficient as a business.”
Also optimistic was Tony Hague, CEO of PP Control & Automation, who commented: "Like the last lockdown, many manufacturers will remain open and, in our specific case, we are providing critical outsourcing, assembly and manufacturing services for key clients involved markets such as medical, food processing and packaging, and specific projects in relation to COVID-19.
"My only concern is that if demand dips in certain sectors, some companies may take the decision - based on costs - that it is more effective to furlough staff and close the doors rather than look to operate at a reduced capacity.
"Now, once again, is the time for UK manufacturers to be bold, brave and innovative and seize the opportunities, however challenging the landscape may be.”
