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COVID-19 is a pandemic severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus. This page will be updated as the situation develops.
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On 11 March WHO characterised COVID-19 as a pandemic, a global outbreak. During March it escalated quickly in Europe and elsewhere leading to several countries prohibiting international movement and ‘lockdowns’ in regions and countries, with measures for ‘social distancing’.
The WHO ended its 'public health emergency of international concern' declaration on 5 May 2023. By March 2022 then there were 470 over 750 million confirmed global cases, with over 6 nearly 7 million deaths.<ref>[https://coronavirus.jhu.edu/ Johns Hopkins University] (Retrieved 20 March 2022)</ref> Vaccines became available from late 2020, with over 10 13 billion doses given<ref>[https://ourworldindata.org/covid-vaccinations?country=OWID_WRL Our World in Data] (Retrieved 20 March 202223 June 2023)</ref>.
==COVID-19 in England==
There were restrictions on overseas travel and incoming travellers.
There was a severe recession. The 2020 decline in UK gross domestic product (GDP) of 9.7% was equal to the decline in 1921, and only in January 2022 did GDP reach the pre-pandemic level.<ref>[https://commonslibrary.parliament.uk/research-briefings/cbp-8866/#:~:text=GDP%20declined%20by%209.7%25%20in,two%20months%20earlier%20in%20February ‘Coronavirus: Economic impact’, House of Commons Library, 17 December 2021] (Retrieved 20 March 2022)</ref>Compared to the pre-pandemic level, UK GDP in the first quarter of 2023 was still 0.5% lower.<ref>[https://wwwcommonslibrary.bloombergparliament.comuk/newsresearch-briefings/articlessn02784/2022-03-11/u-k-economy-surged-past-pre-covid-size-before-war-in-ukraine Bloomberg'GDP – International Comparisons: Key Economic Indicators', House of Commons Library, 14 June, 11 March 20222023] (Retrieved 20 March 202223 June 2023)</ref>
A rapid vaccination programme commenced in December 2020 and extended by the end of 2021 to a 'three jab' programme.
By March 2022 the 2023 UK had over 20 million confirmed infections. Deaths deaths with COVID-19 on the death certificate exceeded 185227,000<ref>[https://coronavirus.data.gov.uk/details/deaths 'Deaths in United Kingdom', ONS, Updated 18 March 202222 June 2023]</ref>.
===Relief measures===
The last public trains ran on Sunday 15 March. The SVR monitored the developing situation daily and followed Government guidelines, considering the utmost importance was the safety and well-being of volunteers, staff and customers. Due to the changing situation Government advice also changed surrounding gatherings, to which the SVR responded as it felt was necessary and sensible.
===2020===
*17 March: it postponed train services for the rest of the month.
*18 March: it postponed train services and closed [[The Engine House]] and Refreshment Rooms for the rest of March and throughout April. It also cancelled the following events: Easter Holidays, [[Spring Steam Gala]], [[Open House Weekend]], Spring Diesel Festival and 50th Anniversary event.
*26 November: The Railway confirmed that Christmas services would operate as planned from 3 December, the published statement being "''The Railway is in an area that has been designated as Tier 2 in the new post-national lockdown restrictions. This means that we’re able to open December 3rd and Christmas events will go ahead as planned. If you have bought event tickets, or are interested in buying event tickets, but you live in a Tier 3 area we strongly recommend that you read the Government guidelines before you travel out of your Tier 3 area''".<ref>SVR Website (retrieved 30 November 2020)</ref>
*31 December: As a result of both Shropshire and Worcestershire moving to 'tier 3', all public services were suspended until further notice, although only 4 days running remained.
===2021===
*January 2021: February half-term services were cancelled, with the next intended services being Easter from 2 April 2021. Staff were again furloughed and non-essential voluntary work deferred. The first special event of the year was announced, the Spring Steam Up replacing the Spring Steam Gala in April, with continuing restrictions on travel such as pre-booked compartments and tables only. The Fight Back Fund total had reached £930,000. The Trust submitted a further application to round 2 of the Culture Recovery Fund.
*February 2021: The railway announced it planned to restart its public services with regular excursion services from 12 April and other facilities opening when permitted, with previous COVID-19 safe measures continuing.
2020 [[SVR Passenger numbers|passenger numbers]] dropped significantly from 239,723 to 59.950. Sales income reduced by £5.25m and, even after donations and grants, it lost £460,559 in that financial year. Its debt was nearly £2,000,000.<ref name=report20>SVR(H) annual report and financial statements for the period ended 3 January 2021</ref>
The [[SVR Apprentices|SVR Junior Club]], local branch meetings and buffet and dining services were suspended through 2020 and 2021, and much of 2022.
In 2021 its February half-term, Easter and services to early April were all lost, with later reopenings for its museums and pubs. It had restricted passenger numbers until 7 September. Passenger numbers partly recovered to 122,001, and turnover to £1.99 million. Its loss was sightly less that of 2020 at 407.453 , net of further Cultural Recovery Fund monies.<ref name=blsep21/> Repayment of the CBILS loan started in October 2021 at £28,000 per month.<ref name=report21>SVR(H) annual report and financial statements for the period ended 3 January 2022</ref> The financial position contributed to increases in shares thresholds for [[Severn Valley Railway (Holdings) PLC#Benefits_from_2022|shareholder travel benefits]].
