COVID19

On 24 January 2020 I first heard of the COVID 19 outbreak in Wuhan, China. At the time I was working at a Chinese stationery exhibition in Frankfurt and I was very nervous. I flew back to the UK, assuming I’d left the virus behind, on the other side of the world and continued with my business. The virus was hot on mt heels and claiming UK victims by the end of February. On 4 March I had my first cancellation email due to CV19 worries from a corporate client, followed by several general booking cancellations and finally around a dozen weddings. Luckily the weddings were able to re-arrange their dates and the bookings remained. The net effect of these emails was to wipe my calendar clear for the next 3 months! At this point the Government had issued no guidelines or restrictions, so bookings were in the hands of clients, at their discretion to cancel. By 13 March most major events in the UK had been cancelled and my industry was left devastated, with zero income for at least 3-5 months ahead. The Government started restricting large group meetings and limiting personal freedom of movement in late March, which then began to impact other regular workers.

As of 24 March, the UK is currently in lock-down, so work, socializing and freedom of movement has been called to a standstill. The lucky ones will have savings to tide them over this enforced holiday. The next luckiest will get full pay and those employees who do not have been bailed out by the Government to the sum of 80% of their wages. As for the Freelance community, such as myself; we are waiting to hear if we will receive any help or financial assistance, over the next few months, as our incomes have disappeared.

Tough and worrying times indeed. Stay home, stay healthy.