Timeline of events:
23 January 2020 – Public Health Matters, the official blog of Public Health England, publishes Coronavirus (COVID-19) – what you need to know – (updated regularly since) – https://publichealthmatters.blog.gov.uk/2020/01/23/wuhan-novel-coronavirus-what-you-need-to-know/
03 March 2020 – General guidance issued on Covid-19 – (updated regularly since) https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/coronavirus-covid-19-list-of-guidance
16 March 2020 – First guidance for hostel or day centre providers of services for people experiencing rough sleeping – since replaced by holding statement – see 25 March 2020
17 March 2020 – Coronavirus (COVID-19) update from the Lord Chief Justice – https://www.judiciary.uk/announcements/coronavirus-update-from-the-lord-chief-justice/
17 March 2020 – MHCLG announcement of emergency support for rough sleepers – https://www.gov.uk/government/news/3-2-million-emergency-support-for-rough-sleepers-during-coronavirus-outbreak
18 March 2020 – Press release: Complete ban on evictions and additional protection for renters – https://www.gov.uk/government/news/complete-ban-on-evictions-and-additional-protection-for-renters
19 March 2020 – Coronavirus (COVID-19): Message from the Lord Chief Justice to judges in the Civil and Family Courts – https://www.judiciary.uk/announcements/coronavirus-covid-19-message-from-the-lord-chief-justice-to-judges-in-the-civil-and-family-courts/
19 March 2020 – COVID-19: ethical framework for adult social care – https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-ethical-framework-for-adult-social-care
19 March 2020 – £2.9 billion funding to strengthen care for the vulnerable – https://www.gov.uk/government/news/2-9-billion-funding-to-strengthen-care-for-the-vulnerable
20 March 2020 – Government directed schools to shut.
20 March 2020 – Applications to adjourn civil and family hearings because of coronavirus (COVID-19) – https://www.gov.uk/guidance/applications-to-adjourn-civil-and-family-hearings-because-of-coronavirus-covid-19
23 March 2020 – Government imposed a strict national lockdown.
23 March 2020 – guidance for domestic abuse safe accommodation provision – https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-guidance-for-domestic-abuse-safe-accommodation-provision/covid-19-guidance-on-isolation-for-domestic-abuse-safe-accommodation-settings
24 March 2020 – Council tax: COVID-19 hardship fund 2020 to 2021 – guidance – https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/874867/COVID-19_Council_Tax_Hardship_Fund_Guidance.pdf
24 March 2020 – Advice for accommodation providers – https://www.gov.uk/guidance/covid-19-advice-for-accommodation-providers
24 March 2020 – Letter from Minister Luke Hall MP to hotel CEOs – https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/875654/Luke_Hall_MP_-_Letter_to_Hotel_Chief_Executives.pdf
25 March 2020 – Coronavirus Act – http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2020/7/contents
Courts and Tribunals –http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2020/7/part/1/crossheading/courts-and-tribunals-use-of-video-and-audio-technology
Local Authority Care and Support – http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2020/7/schedule/12
Residential Tenancies – http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2020/7/schedule/29
25 March 2020 –Holding statement about guidance for hostel or day centre providers of services for people experiencing rough sleeping – https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-guidance-on-services-for-people-experiencing-rough-sleeping
26 March 2020 – Letter from Minister Luke Hall MP:
to local authorities concerning rough sleepers – https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/876466/Letter_from_Minister_Hall_to_Local_Authorities.pdf
to caravan and park home owners- https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/876547/Letter_from_Minister_Hall_to_Caravan_Park_Owners.pdf
26 March 2020 – Government advice on home moving during the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak – https://www.gov.uk/guidance/government-advice-on-home-moving-during-the-coronavirus-covid-19-outbreak
27 March 2020 – Practice Direction 51Z: Stay of Possession Proceedings, Coronavirus – https://www.justice.gov.uk/courts/procedure-rules/civil/rules/part51/practice-direction-51z-stay-of-possession-proceedings,-coronavirus
28 March 2020 – three sets of guidance – https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-and-renting-guidance-for-landlords-tenants-and-local-authorities
For Landlord and tenants – https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/876500/Consolidated_Landlord_and_Tenant_Guidance_COVID_and_the_PRS_v4.2.pdf
For local authorities – https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/876501/Local_authority_rented_property_COVID_enforcement_guidance_v2.2.pdf
Technical guidance on eviction notices – https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/877744/Technical_Guidance_COVID_19_PRS_v4.pdf
30 March 2020 – an update on the Grenfell Tower site – https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/876794/Covid-19_Grenfell_Community_Update_30_March_2020.pdf
01 April 2020 – Coronavirus (COVID-19): guidance on vulnerable children and young people – https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-guidance-on-vulnerable-children-and-young-people/coronavirus-covid-19-guidance-on-vulnerable-children-and-young-people
01 April 2020 – Coronavirus (COVID-19): changes to the Care Act 2014 – https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-changes-to-the-care-act-2014/care-act-easements-guidance-for-local-authorities
02 April 2020 – Coronavirus (COVID-19): Energy Performance Certificates – https://www.gov.uk/guidance/coronavirus-covid-19-energy-performance-certificates
02 April 2020 – Coronavirus (COVID-19): admission and care of people in care homes – https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/878099/Admission_and_Care_of_Residents_during_COVID-19_Incident_in_a_Care_Home.pdf
06 April 2020 – COVID-19: guidance for supported living and home care – https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-residential-care-supported-living-and-home-care-guidance/covid-19-guidance-for-supported-living-provision
08 April 2020 – Coronavirus (COVID-19): providing unpaid care – https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-providing-unpaid-care/guidance-for-those-who-provide-unpaid-care-to-friends-or-family
20 April 2020 – 120th Practice Direction Update to the Civil Procedure Rules – Coronavirus Pandemic related – Amends PD51Z to exclude trespasser claims and IPOs. Permits directions agreed between parties to be considered and makes clear that possession proceedings may be issued albeit they will be immediately stayed. – https://www.judiciary.uk/announcements/120th-practice-direction-update-to-the-civil-procedure-rules-coronavirus-pandemic-related/
27 April 2020 – Coronavirus (COVID-19): guidance for social landlords on essential moves – https://www.gov.uk/guidance/coronavirus-covid-19-guidance-for-social-landlords-on-essential-moves
30 April 2020 – Court of Appeal hears Arkin v Marshall on vires and other issues of PD51Z. Government and HLPA intervening. Judgment reserved
HMCTS daily operational summary on courts and tribunals during coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak – https://www.gov.uk/guidance/hmcts-daily-operational-summary-on-courts-and-tribunals-during-coronavirus-covid-19-outbreak
HMCTS telephone and video hearings during coronavirus outbreak – https://www.gov.uk/guidance/hmcts-telephone-and-video-hearings-during-coronavirus-outbreak
WALES
The gov.wales website very helpfully gathers housing related COVID-19 guidance under one heading here – https://gov.wales/housing-coronavirus
28.04.2020 – Guidance for local authorities in supporting people sleeping rough – Covid-19 outbreak – https://gov.wales/sites/default/files/publications/2020-04/guidance-for-local-authorities-in-supporting-people-sleeping-rough-covid-19_0.pdf