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.
Updated 31st October: New National Restrictions from 5 November
This is a summary of the Government announcement on 31st October. Further detailed guidance is awaited and this is subject to being passed into legislation on Wednesday 4th November.
From Thursday 5 November until Wednesday 2 December the following businesses and venues will close:
Businesses that can remain open
Working from home and furlough
Business Grants
We are awaiting more information on how grants will be issued but government grants available for businesses required to close are:
VAT reduction for certain sectors
From 15th July 2020 to 12th January 2021 the rate of VAT will reduce to 5% for the following services
Find out more here.
Kickstart scheme
The government’s Kickstart Scheme offers fully subsidised 6 month placements for 16-24 year olds claiming Universal Credit. Hampshire Chamber of Commerce are taking on the role of intermediary to being together groups of businesses who want to take on fewer than 30 people and is supporting them to bid for funding. Find out more here.
NHS COVID-19 app and QR Codes
From 24th September businesses in the following sectors will have a legal requirement to displaying the NHS QR code posters to support the NHS COVID-19 app:
• hospitality;
• leisure and tourism;
• close contact services;
• places of worship; and
• local authority venues
You can create your personalised QR poster for people to scan and check in here: https://www.gov.uk/create-coronavirus-qr-poster
Covid-19 Secure guidelines for safe working
Updated 23rd September
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.
Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (Furlough)
Updated 31st October
FLEET BID SUPPORT
Our Back in Business car packs include posters, hand sanitiser, floor and window stickers. On our website we can 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.
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.
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.
Hampshire Chamber of Commerce Training & Event
Hampshire Chamber of commerce run vents and training on a wide range of topics as well as giving you access to potential customers and suppliers, project partners and a support network.
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.
Hampshire County Council is leading the Local Outbreak Control Planning and together with District Council Chief Executives and Environmental Health Officers and have set up a business information page which aims to support businesses in Hampshire respond to a case or outbreak of coronavirus. The page includes:
Action cards are available for the following business and local community settings:
Workplaces
Retail, Hair and Beauty
Food and hospitality
Leisure and tourism