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<p>We understand the challenges that farmers are facing as a result of the coronavirus
crisis and appreciate that many farms are very small and often family-run so there
is limited capacity to cover sickness. We have been working with the National Farmers'
Union (NFU) and others to work out ways how to address this.</p><p>The Government's
priority has always been to reduce the number of COVID-19 infections by keeping workers
safe and protected, and we have been clear that anyone showing symptoms of coronavirus
infection, however mild, must self-isolate by staying at home for seven days from
when the symptoms started, following public health guidance.</p><p>The Government
took a number of early steps to help our farmers and to ensure they have the support
they need during these challenging times. These included designating employees in
the food sector as key workers and temporarily relaxing the normal rules on drivers'
hours, enabling the sector to keep supply chains running, including deliveries from
farm gate to processors. We have worked closely with banks to ensure farmers have
access to financial support, including the Government-backed Coronavirus Business
Interruption Loan Scheme and the Bounce Back Loan scheme.</p><p>We remain in regular
contact with our food and farming sector, and are working closely with the main farming
charities, meeting them regularly, to ensure we are doing all we can to support them.
A Government-backed package of £370 million has been made available to help small
charities and we are encouraging farming charities to apply for funding through this
route.</p><p>Further information on what support is currently available can be found
on GOV.UK: https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/financial-support-for-businesses-during-coronavirus-covid-19</p>
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