Coronavirus (COVID-19) roundup: 27 August 2020

ONS have published estimates of international travel up to June 2020, as well as the latest indicators of the economic impact of COVID-19. Some of the main points include:

• Home Office statistics show that there were an estimated 1.3 million passenger arrivals (including returning UK residents) in April to June 2020; this is 97% (27.7 million) fewer than the same period in 2019

• The number of applications for visitor visas in Quarter 2 (Apr to June) 2020 was 99% lower than in the same period in 2019

• More than half of the workforce in the arts, entertainment and leisure industry (51%) are still furloughed, compared with 13% of staff currently furloughed in the workforce as a whole

• When asked about insolvency, almost a quarter of arts and entertainment businesses (23%) reported the risks as severe to moderate; this is the joint-highest proportion of any industry, along with the hospitality sector

Read the ONS roundup