Covid-19 Information for businesses

C-19 Business support

New COVID guidance - From 8 March, step one of the Government’s roadmap out of lockdown came into force.

The regulations still require some businesses to close and impose restrictions on how some businesses provide goods and services. Further guidance can be found on the GOV.UK website.

People are also still urged to stay at home, continue to practise social distancing, wear face coverings and wash hands regularly.

April 12

From 12 April hospitality venues are allowed to serve people outdoors. There will be no curfew ands alcoholic drinks do not need to be accompanied by a substantial meal. 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 display the two posters under Hospitality below in prominent locations on your premises.

Wider social contact rules will 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 December 2020 with employees receiving 80% of their current salary for hours not worked. All claims must be submitted no later than 30 November 2020. How to apply and guidance can be found here.
Self-Employed Income Support Scheme – The grant provides critical support to the self-employed in the form of two grants, each available for three-month periods covering November 2020 to January 2021 and February 2021 to April 2021. The Government is increasing the support to the self-employed from 40% of trading profits to 80% for November. SEISS is calculated over 3 months so this increases the total grant from 40% to 55% of trading profits for November to January and the max grant increases to £5,160. The online service for the next grant will be available from 30th November 2020. Full details can be found here.
Job Retention Bonus – employers will receive a one-off payment of £1,000 for every furloughed employee who remains continuously employed through to the end of January 2021. You will be able to claim it between 15 February 2021 and 31 March 2021. Further details can be found here.

If you would like to view the Winter Economy Plan, you can do so here.

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.

Further Business Support

Asymptomatic testing

We are operating rapid community testing for eligible residents at the Hart District Council Offices, in Fleet. You can book a test if you are unable to work from home and your company (if applicable) does not offer testing, and/or you are classed as a critical worker.

You must be:

• Over 16 years of age
• Not displaying symptoms of COVID-19

More information can be found on our health and wellbeing page.

Environmental Health

The national lockdown restrictions mean that apart from some exemptions, businesses and venues must close. More detailed information is available on the Government's business and venue webpage.

April 12

From 12 April hospitality venues will be allowed to serve people outdoors. There will be no curfew ands alcoholic drinks do not need to be accompanied by a substantial meal. Wider social contact rules will still apply. 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 the new 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

Licensing newsletter to businesses - 12 April

Under the Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions)(England) Regulations 2020 many licensed premises have been forced to close. Guidance has been produced for businesses and premises to close during the ‘emergency period’. Please see our business support and guidance section on this page for more information on grants, funding and further Government support. Business and Planning Act 2020

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

We know that some drivers are continuing to work and provide a vital service to the public, and this puts you at risk. In view of the currently high rates of Covid transmission we want to support and remind you of the need to protect yourself, in addition to doing all you can to prevent the spread of the infection.

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.

Contact

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