"Got kids? If your employee is unable to work because they are ‘caring for children who are at home as a result of school and childcare facilities closing’ then they can be furloughed. This was confirmed by HMRC on 5 January 2021."

Without going into details of affected people, I've encountered some resistance to this from employees, who have to ask their employer to be furloughed. It could be that you're fearful of being first in line to be later made redundant if you take this up, in the event of the company having to contract as a result of the impact of the disease. Those who kept their heads down and muddled through somehow with their kids would be seen as braver and more loyal to the firm, if you see what I mean. So I've seen reluctance. Dunno what you could do about it...