The Agency is telling manufacturers and suppliers of thermal cameras that they should not make claims which directly relate to COVID-19 diagnosis, and is reminding businesses to follow Government advice on safe working during COVID-19.

Graeme Tunbridge, MHRA Director of Devices, said:

Many thermal cameras and temperature screening products were originally designed for non-medical purposes, such as for building or site security. Businesses and organisations need to know that using these products for temperature screening could put people’s health at risk.

These products should only be used in line with the manufacturer’s original intended use, and not to screen people for COVID-19 symptoms. They do not perform to the level required to accurately support a medical diagnosis.

We are reminding anyone selling these products not to make claims which directly relate to COVID-19 diagnosis. If they fail to comply, we will take formal enforcement action.

Products which the manufacturer claims are intended for screening for COVID-19, or fever-like symptoms, would be regarded as medical devices and regulated by the MHRA.

There is little scientific evidence to support temperature screening as a reliable method for detection of COVID-19 or other febrile illness, especially if used as the main method of testing.

Temperature readings from temperature screening systems will measure skin temperature rather than core body temperature. In either case, natural fluctuations in temperature can occur among healthy individuals. These readings are therefore an unreliable measure for detection of COVID-19 or other diseases which may cause fever. Furthermore, infected people who do not develop a fever or who do not show any symptoms would not be detected by a temperature reading and could be more likely to unknowingly spread the virus.

The MHRA recommends that businesses and workplaces follow the government advice on safe working during COVID-19, as well as implementing scientifically reliable methods of testing for COVID-19.

Health Minister Lord Bethell said:

As pubs and restaurants begin to reopen, it’s important businesses do not rely on temperature screening tools and other products which do not work.

The best way to protect customers and minimise the risk of catching the virus is to always follow social distancing guidelines, wearing a face mask on public transport and enclosed public spaces, and regularly washing your hands.

Notes to editor

1. The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency is responsible for protecting and improving the health of millions of people every day through the effective regulation of all medicines and medical devices in the UK by ensuring they work and are acceptably safe. All our work is underpinned by robust and fact-based judgements to ensure that the benefits justify any risks.
2. The MHRA is a centre of the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency which also includes the National Institute for Biological Standards and Control (NIBSC) and the Clinical Practice Research Datalink (CPRD). MHRA is an executive agency of the Department of Health and Social Care.
3. The Yellow Card scheme is MHRA’s system of monitoring the safety of medicines and medical devices in the UK and it acts as an early warning system to identify new, and strengthen existing, safety information about medicines, medical devices, falsified or defective healthcare products, and e-cigarettes.

In addition to Veterans Owned UK online portal of over 1204 businesses, they have now launched an app, making it easier than ever to choose veteran owned businesses.

Scott Johnson, founder of Veteran Owned UK, is a former Royal Engineer and launched the website in 2017. He already knew first-hand that applying military skills and ethos to a civilian workplace was a recipe for success. After having seen a United States based website promoting veteran owned businesses, he recognised the potential for a UK site offering a similar service.

Coming from a military background has a huge advantage. If you have served, you have had huge amounts of money spent on your development and those skills set you up very well for life after the military.

Android users can now easily download the free app from the google play store and iOS users can add the Veteran Owned UK website directly to their home screen. For more information visit the Veteran Owned UK website.

On 3 July 2020 the partners of the Broadmarsh Retail Limited Partnership petitioned to wind the partnership up. Petitions were also presented against related companies and these have also entered compulsory liquidation. The Official Receiver has been appointed as liquidator.

The partnership had been redeveloping the Broadmarsh shopping centre in central Nottingham. The entities wound up do not have any employees or customers.

The Official Receiver has issued a notice disclaiming the companies’ interest in the lease to the site. The effect of this notice is to hand control of the site back Nottingham City Council as freeholder. The Official Receiver continues to manage the liquidation of the companies wound up by the High Court.

Entities involved in the liquidation:

• The Broadmarsh Retail Limited Partnership (company number: LP006804)
• Broadmarsh Retail General Partner Limited (company number: 03929726)
• Intu Nottingham Investments Limited (company number: 04423998)
• Broadmarsh Retail (Nominee No 3) Limited (company number: 08293548)
• Broadmarsh Retail (Nominee No 4) Limited (company number: 08293573)

• temporary scrapping of VAT on personal protective equipment (PPE) for infection extended until the end of October
• the three-month extension will save care homes and businesses an estimated £155 million
• comes after VAT on PPE was temporarily zero-rated at the beginning of May and import duty on PPE was removed

The decision – which will make it easier and cheaper for care homes, charities and businesses to acquire the vital kit – comes after a temporary zero-rate of VAT was applied to PPE sales for an initial three months from 1 May 2020 to 31 July 2020.

Financial Secretary to the Treasury Jesse Norman said:

Extending the zero VAT rate on PPE will provide the relief needed by care homes in particular, so that as many people as possible continue to be protected against the coronavirus.

Due to the extension, the zero-rate will apply for six months in total with consumers including care homes, home care providers and businesses estimated to save an additional £155 million.

Ministers had previously removed import duties from PPE and medical supplies intended to assist with the response to the coronavirus pandemic in April 2020 to ensure more essential equipment can get to the front line quicker.

EU law governing VAT – which the UK is bound to until the end of the transitional period – requires the UK to charge VAT on the equipment.

But the government has acted under an exceptional basis allowed by EU rules during health emergencies. The European Commission recently indicated support for member states to introduce temporary VAT reliefs to mitigate the impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic.

The move will particularly benefit care providers, who are often unable to reclaim the 20% VAT they incur on their purchases.

Funding has been provided to DHSC to support the centralised procurement and supply of PPE, including supply to the NHS and care providers.

It has already acted to speed up PPE supply, harnessing the power of UK industry, scouring the world for new stocks, and creating a new distribution network to send PPE to frontline staff around the country.