Lockdown in the UK, due to COVID-19 ravaged the music industry. But independent musicians used this opportunity to connect and collaborate on projects.
Lily Honey, a Yorkshire-based musician, used lockdown to work on herself “as a brand and artist”. Lockdown allowed her to connect with producer, 3ricmck3nna. They released 2 house songs called Leaving all my love and Should’ve known better.
She also said as a fan of music she would have loved to go to gigs and “it’s a shame” that she could not, as she “loves live music and being in the audience”. She also had ambitions of performing at the O2 academy if lockdown had not been established.
The government had plans to have the restrictions lifted and with the help of rapid testing live events would have been allowed to go forward for the first time since March.

Business Secretary Alok Sharma lead today’s briefing on the COVID-19 pandemic. 

The official death toll has risen by 627 to 32,692.

Mr Sharma began by going through the new alert system that will determine the social distancing measures in England. He thanked the British people for their “hard work and sacrifices” and said it was down their contributions that we are now able to take steps towards level three.

Businesses will need to operate in new ways to stay safe and the government has published new guidance to help them do this. Sharma went on to say the guidance would help businesses implement social distance in the workplace. 

Sharma suggested that workplaces could use barriers, fixed teams and frequent cleaning of work areas and equipment to help control the spread. Up to £14million has been made available to the Health and Safety Executive for extra call centre employers, inspectors and equipment if needed. 

The secretary then went on to highlight the development to the governments furlough scheme, which has been extended by four months today. 

Paul Rodgerson employs bar staff at the local working men’s club. He expressed concern about the government not meeting their targets for the ease of lockdown.

“If the government don’t meet their targets, we won’t be able to re-open. I’m concerned that we’re taking radical steps now and we’ll see a massive spike again”

“If we can’t re-open, we won’t be able to support our workers if the government keep this scheme in place”

“I think that the priority right now needs to be getting us a stage where the virus is controlled before we start to re-open. If we try to do too much too soon, we’ll just be back to where we were in March.”

Prof Ferguson, said he regretted “undermining” the messages on social distancing.

In a statement, Prof Ferguson said: “I accept I made an error of judgement and took the wrong course of action. I have therefore stepped back from my involvement in Sage (Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies). I acted in belief that I was Immune, having tested positive for coronavirus and completely isolated myself for almost two weeks after developing symptoms. I deeply regret any undermining of the clear messages around the continued need for social distancing.”

This follows after flouting the rules by receiving visits from his lover at his home earlier this week. It was reported that Antonia Staats visited his home on at least two occasions during the lockdown.

Despite Prof Ferguson’s comments, it is still currently unclear whether people who have recovered or had mild cases of the virus will be immune or be able to catch it again.

Health Secretary Matt Hancock said it was “extraordinary” and that he “took the right decision to resign”
He says The social distancing rules are there for everyone and should be taken very seriously.