The situation with coronavirus, officially Covid-19, is changing daily. The future situation is unknown but there are resources and advice available which will change as the situation changes.
As of 11th May
The Government published its COVID-19 recovery strategy on 11th May with the aim of the plan to “return life to as close to normal as possible, for an many people as possible as fast and fairly as possible in a way that avoids a new epidemic, minimises lives lost and maximises, health, economic and social outcomes.”
More announcements will be made over the coming weeks and restrictions may be tightened if data suggests virus is spreading.
Social contact is still limited and good hygiene practices: hand washing, social distancing and regular disinfecting of surfaces touched by others are still essential.
If you have symptoms or are diagnosed with Covid-19 you must self isolate for 7 days (longer if you still have a temperature). If someone in your household has symptoms must self isolate for 14 days. Read more here.
The clinically vulnerable, those over 70 with pre-existing conditions and pregnant women should take particular care to minimise contact with those outside their household. The clinically extremely vulnerable, anyone who has received a letter from the NHS, their GP or clinician should continue to shield.
From Wednesday 13th May
From 1 June the Government hopes to allow:
From 4 July the Government hopes to
Read our more detailed summary here.
No change from 23rd March:
on 2nd May the Government announced additional fund is aimed at small businesses with ongoing fixed property-related costs. £617m has been made available to councils in England and the fund will be distributed via Local Authorities, in Fleet this is Hart District Council. The government have asked local authorities to prioritise businesses in shared spaces, regular market traders, small charity properties that would meet the criteria for Small Business Rates Relief, and bed and breakfasts that pay council tax rather than business rates. But local authorities may choose to make payments to other businesses based on local economic need.
Read more about government support for businesses on their dedicated website here.
APPLY FOR CASH GRANT
Businesses eligible for Small Business Rates Relief, Rural Rates Relief can apply for the £10,0000 government grant.
Businesses in the Retail, Hospitality and Leisure sectors with a rateable value under £51,000 can apply for one of the the Government’s cash Grant of £10,000 or £25,000.
Apply via Hart District Council’s website here.
APPLY FOR A BOUNCE BACK LOAN
From 4th May businesses can apply for Bounce Back loans, new 100% government backed loan scheme for small business to borrow between £2,000 and £50,000.
The loans will be interest free for the first 12 months.
Apply here.
GOVERNMENT SUPPORT
The Government has a dedicated Business Support website with information on all the Government Support available to businesses and how to you can access it.
FLEET BID SUPPORT
We have developed new pages on our website to list businesses who offer online ordering, home delivery or click and collect. We can also create a dedicated page for any business who does not have an e-commerce operation but would like to have some products available online.
You can also access information on suppliers of protective equipment here.
To find out more or to get involved email us.
Covid-19 Secure guidelines for safe working
Updated 11th May
The Government have published their Covid-19 Secure guidelines to enable workplaces are as safe as possible. Specific guidance is available for the following sectors:
Read the guidance here.
Which businesses must remain closed and what are the exceptions?
Updated 13th May
The government has published more guidance today on businesses which must remain closed with more detailed guidance, for example click and collect is allowed.
Read the guidance here.
Risk Assessment Templates HSE
Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme
Updated 20th April
The HMRC portal for businesses to claim for furloughed employees through the Coronavirus Job Retention scheme opened at 8am on Monday 20th April.
The government have published guidance on the Coronavirus Job retention Scheme including detailed guidance on what you can claim and who is eligible, calculating what you can claim and a Step by Step guide on the information you need to make the claim:
Letters from Government Ministers
Here are links to Government Letters to specific sectors
Links to other websites
Bank Support
The major banks are among the 40 accredited lenders for the Business Interruption Loan Scheme. Banks are also offering specific support:
Hampshire County Council
Hampshire County Council have a dedicate page on their website with information on coronavirus. Read more here.
MP Support
Our local MP, Ranil Jayawardena, has a specific page on his website with links to support for businesses and individuals, as well as information on school exams and how you can volunteer to support.
Read more here
Advice for Food Business Offering Takeaways
Updated 16th April
The Chartered Institute of Environmental Health have issued guidance for bars, restaurants and cafes who want to offer a takeaway service and trade safely. Download the guidance here.
For food businesses who want to offer takeaways but do not normally provide this service. If you are already registered with Hart District Council as a food business, complete the food registration form on Hart District Council’s website here . You do not need to wait for the usual 28 days to start operating but can trade straight away.
Industry Specific Advice
Take Five Business Toolkit
Take Five is a national campaign led by the finance industry with advice to preventable financial fraud.
Download their toolkit here.
Kirk Rice
Hampshire Chamber of Commerce webinars
A series of four ‘Chamber of Solutions’ Ask the panel sessions:
All sessions are from 9.30am to 11am and are FREE.
Find out more here.
HMRC Webinars
HMRC have a free webinars to learn more about the support available to help you deal with the economic impacts of coronavirus.
Find out more here.
HR Webinar
Our HR Webinar is at 2pm on Tuesday 7th April with Karen Sanders from the HR Dept who will be there to answer questions on furloughing staff (what are the rules, who to furlough, how to furlough), managing staff working remotely, looking after the mental health of your staff at this time and an HR perspective on how you may want to use government grants.
Book now here.
