Covid-19 Information for businesses

C-19 Business support

From 17 May further restrictions have been eased for businesses, including the hospitality sector:

Indoor hospitality reopens - venues do not have to serve a substantial meal with alcoholic drinks but customers must order, eat and drink while seated.
Indoor adult group sports and exercise classes allowed
Indoor entertainment venues such as cinemas and children’s play area can open
The rest of the accommodation sector reopens, including hotels, hostels and B&Bs

All hospitality venues are required to log the details of all of their customers, either through a written log or via the NHS' test and trace app. Please display the two posters under Hospitality below in prominent locations on your premises.

Wider social contact rules still apply. Read the Newsletter for Businesses Re-opening post lockdown for a detailed guide on how to open your business safely.

Hospitality venues

To ensure that the Test and Trace system can continue to operate effectively, all hospitality venues will be required to log the details of all of their customers either through a written log or via the NHS' test and trace app. Please find 2 posters to display in prominent locations on your premises:

Hospitality Fact Sheet Venue Check-In Regulations Poster for Staff

Hospitality Check-In Poster for Customers

Business funding

For full details of all business grants and funding support and to apply, please visit our Grants & Funding page

Please contact BusinessGrants@hart.gov.uk with any queries.

If you would like to receive our electronic Hart for Business newsletter, please sign up here

Schemes to protect jobs

Job Retention Scheme – This has been extended to September 2021. Find out how more information on the job retention scheme.

Kickstart Scheme – a new to fund the creation of jobs for young people aged 16-24 at risk of long-term employment. You can find out how to access Kickstart funding and how the scheme works here and you can read the Plan for Jobs Policy Paper here.

Apprenticeship Employer Incentives - Employers will receive £3,000 for new apprentices of any age who join their organisation from 1 April 2021 to 30 September 2021 - plus an additional £1,000 for hiring an apprentice aged 16-18 years old or an under 25 year old with an education, health and care plan who has been in the care of their local authority. Further information can be on the Government's apprentice website plus for support recruiting an apprentice, contact The Apprenticeship Hub.

Further Business Support

Environmental Health

From 17 May hospitality venues are allowed to serve people outdoors and indoors, with strict guidelines:

Groups of up to six - or two households of any size - will be allowed inside
Groups seated outside may have up to 30 people
Every customer aged 16 and over must check in with NHS test and trace, or provide contact details
People will still need to order, eat and drink while seated, where alcohol is served
When not seated - for example being shown to a table, or going to the toilet - customers must wear face coverings
Social distancing of one metre plus will remain

Read the Newsletter for Businesses Re-opening post lockdown for a detailed guide on how to open your business safely.

Fixed Penalty Notices

Any business that continues to operate outside restrictions will be formally warned and may be eligible for fixed penalty notices and/or more formal action from regulating bodies such as Environmental Health following the hierarchy of enforcement principles.

Working safely

The UK government, in consultation with industry, has released its ‘COVID-19 secure’ guidance to help ensure workplaces are as safe as possible. This sets out practical steps for businesses to follow.

The Coronavirus (COVID-19) checklist for businesses will help you to put in place measures in your workplace to keep both employees and customers safe.

Safety for take-away food traders

The Chartered Institute of Environmental Health has issued guidance to ensure you trade safely. There is also information on the Government’s food guidance website, further Covid-19 food business guidance and the Food Standards Agency Here to help food businesses campaign also contains useful resources.

Contact

For more information about environmental health issues, please email eh@hart.gov.uk

Licensing

Off sales provision

The Business and Planning Bill 2020 allows a temporary relaxation of the off sales provision. Please read the full guidance on new temporary off sales permission. This provision will be in place until 30 September 2021.

Section 172F Statement for displaying in premises.

Tables & Chairs Pavement Licence

To support businesses with social distancing the Government has passed a bill to allow tables and chairs to be placed on the pavement in front of premises serving food and drink. Please read more details on guidance and how to apply on our street trading page.

Taxis and private hire vehicles

Drivers are strongly recommended to wear a face mask whilst carrying passengers in their vehicle (unless it affects your ability to drive safely) and having a window open for ventilation.

Passengers must wear a face mask at all times, unless exempt. We appreciate that this is hard to enforce but you are permitted to refuse a customer if you are not satisfied that they are exempt from having to wear a mask.

There is full guidance for taxi and private hire drivers and operators on the Government’s taxis webpage.

Events guidance

For any businesses wishing to run events, there is still a requirement to provide an event specific Covid Risk Assessment. For further up to date guidance on organising and running events and for information on applying for a Temporary Event Notice, please see our alcohol and entertainment page.

Contact

For more information, please email the Licensing team licence@hart.gov.uk