COVID-19 Business Hub

23 July 

Guidance

• The list of sectors whose workers may be exempt from COVID isolation has been released by ministers this morning.
• The Government has launched a new campaign to encourage people in England to continue to wear face coverings in crowded public spaces, to make sure rooms are well ventilated and to take up the offer of twice-weekly free testing.
• The Minister for COVID Vaccine Deployment, Nadhim Zahawi, updated Parliament on the NHS COVID Pass and vaccine effectiveness. The Pass was rolled out this week for domestic use to allow people to demonstrate their COVID status (including vaccination status, test results or natural immunity). Businesses in England can adopt the pass as a means of entry where suitable for their venue or premises where they can see its potential to keep their clients/customers safe.
• New guidance has been published on coronavirus (COVID-19) measures for grassroots sport participants, providers and facility operators in England.
   

22 July

Guidance

• As part of the move to step 4 in England on 19 July, guidance has been updated on when to wear face coverings. Whilst there is no longer a legal requirement to wear one in indoor settings or on public transport, people are expected and recommended to continue to wear face coverings in crowded and enclosed spaces where they come into contact with people they don’t normally meet. Businesses, including transport operators, can also ask their employees and customers to wear face coverings.
• Guidance to accompany the pavement licence provisions has been updated to note that where licences are deemed to have been granted, to allow these licences to remain in place for a year but not beyond up to 30 September 2022.

21 July

Guidance

• Existing guidance applying to local areas with additional  COVID-19 measures in place has been updated, including the removal of advice to keep 2 metres apart and minimise travel into and out of the areas, but local residents are urged to remain cautious and follow the national guidance – currently no councils in North East England are affected. In these areas, government is providing a support package including the option to deliver extra testing within targeted areas, the provision of logistical support to maximise vaccine and testing uptake, further help for local campaigns and the option to work with secondary schools and colleges to temporarily reintroduce on site testing and proportionate use of face coverings in areas of high prevalence. Areas that have recently started to receive this support package will continue to do so for five weeks, and those that have been receiving it for longer will be reviewed.
• As part of the move to step 4 in England, advice for pregnant employees has been updated.

20 July

Guidance

• In yesterday’s press conference, the Prime Minister advised that the Government reserves the right to mandate Covid certification at any point and gave notice now that by the end of September - when all over 18s will have had the chance to be double jabbed – of the intention to make full vaccination the condition of entry to nightclubs and other venues where large crowds gather. At that point proof of a negative test will no longer be sufficient.
• Fully vaccinated critical workers are to be able to leave self-isolation in exceptional circumstances under new plans to prevent serious disruption to vital public services.
• Guidance reflecting the change to step 4 in England has been updated on maintaining records of staff, customers and visitors to support NHS test and trace.
• Guidance on cleaning of non-healthcare settings outside the home has been updated following the move to Step 4
• Guidance reflecting the change to step 4 in England has been updated on safer travel guidance for passengers who are walking, cycling and travelling in vehicles or on public transport during the coronavirus outbreak. The safer transport guidance for operators has also been updated.
• Guidance reflecting the change to step 4 in England has been updated on how to stay safe and prevent the spread of coronavirus.
• Guidance reflecting the change to step 4 in England has been updated on wedding and civil partnership ceremonies, receptions and celebrations in England.
• Advice on the new rules for passengers arriving into England from Amber countries has been updated
• Advice for local authorities, owners and operators in England has been published to support the safe use and management of outdoor public places, such as urban centres, green spaces, outdoor playgrounds, outdoor gyms, tourist hotspots (including beaches, the countryside and coastal areas) while the risk of COVID-19 transmission remains.
• The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has raised the UK to the highest threat level – Level 4: Very High and advised Americans against travelling to the UK.

Research

• New statistics have been published on the impact of coronavirus on UK hospitality between January 2020 to June 2021.

19 July

Finance

• Updated information and examples on how to calculate your turnover in 2020-21, 2019-20 and other tax years so you can claim the fifth SEISS grant.

Guidance

• Today, England moves to Step 4 of the roadmap with most restrictions on businesses being lifted. However, the government is advising employers to still take reasonable steps to keep staff and customers safe.
• Durham County Council has updated information on accessing and using key services following changes to COVID restrictions today -  the Council is encouraging and recommending members of the public to continue to wear face coverings, unless exempt, in all council buildings and venues to protect each other and staff, helping to reduce the spread of coronavirus and enable the continuing provision of services for those who need them most.
• Actions that drivers, operators and owners of taxis or private hire vehicles (PHVs) can take to protect against coronavirus have been amended following changes to rules on face coverings and social distancing to reflect Step 4 of roadmap out of lockdown.
• Anyone arriving from France to England must continue to quarantine for 10 days at home or in other accommodation, even if they are fully vaccinated against COVID-19.
• VisitEngland is working in partnership with the Caterer to deliver a staffing summit webinar on Thursday 22 July. The summit will explore how the industry can better promote the career options available in the sector and highlight the organisations that can assist businesses in finding new recruits. This webinar will be dedicated to equipping operators with the tools to attract new employees and revealing ways to keep staff in long-term sustainable careers. You can register for free here.

16 July

Finance

• Changes to the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme mean that from 1 August 2021, the government will pay 60% of wages for furlough employees up to £1,875.
• A new video is available about what you can do to prepare a claim for the fifth Self-Employment Income Support Scheme (SEISS) grant.

Guidance

• A new strategy to ensure England’s pubs, bars, restaurants and other hospitality venues can thrive long-term and adapt to consumer demands has been launched by Business Minister Paul Scully today (16 July). The Hospitality Strategy focuses on reopening, recovery and resilience.