Update 31 March
A full range of business support measures have been made available to UK businesses and employees.
This page helps businesses find out how to access the support that has been made available, who is eligible, when the schemes open and how to apply.
https://www.businesssupport.gov.uk/coronavirus-business-support/
Update 30 March
If you want to join the national volunteer bank, NHS Volunteer Responders has been set up to support the NHS and the care sector during the COVID-19 outbreak. They need an 'army' of volunteers who can support the 1.5m people in England who are at most risk from the virus to stay well. Doctors, nurses, those working in local authorities and other professionals, will be able to refer people to NHS Volunteer Responders and be confident that they have been matched with a reliable, named volunteer. If you want to sign up, you can do so via :
https://www.goodsamapp.org/NHS
Update 27 March
Guidance for employers on the coronavirus (COVID-19) Job Retention Scheme.
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/claim-for-wage-costs-through-the-coronavirus-job-retention-scheme
Chancellor Rishi Sunak announces world-leading scheme to support the UK’s self-employed affected by the coronavirus outbreak.
https://www.gov.uk/government/news/chancellor-gives-support-to-millions-of-self-employed-individual
Update 26 March
The Secretary of State for Health and Social Care is giving immediate financial backing for all NHS trusts to provide free car parking to NHS staff for the duration of coronavirus (COVID-19).
Update 25 March
List of businesses and premises to close:
Update 24 March
The Prime Minister's address to the nation advising we are now on Lock-down:
https://www.gov.uk/government/speeches/pm-address-to-the-nation-on-coronavirus-23-march-2020
Update 22 March
Guidance on shielding and protecting people defined on medical grounds as extremely vulnerable from COVID-19
Update 21 March
The government is asking the following businesses and other venues across the United Kingdom to close as soon as they reasonably can, and not to open for trade on Saturday 21 March:
- Food and drink venues for consumption on-site, such as restaurants and cafes – noting the exception for takeaway and delivery services discussed below
- Drinking establishments, including pubs, bars and nightclubs – noting the exception for takeaway and delivery services discussed below
- Entertainment venues, including cinemas, theatres, concert halls and bingo halls
- Museums and galleries
- Spas and massage parlours
- Casinos and betting shops
- All indoor leisure and sports facilities, including gyms
These businesses and other venues must close as they involve prolonged close social contact, which increases the chances of infection spreading.
Updated support for businesses and workers:
Government announces radical package of measures to protect renters and landlords affected by coronavirus:
https://www.gov.uk/government/news/complete-ban-on-evictions-and-additional-protection-for-renters
Update 20 March
Here is the list of key workers, parents whose work is critical to the COVID-19 response:
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-maintai…
Update 19 March
I have attached a helpful fact sheet from the Treasury below on support for businesses.
For business concerned about how the coronavirus is impacting them in Cornwall please use the following website:
https://www.ciosgrowthhub.com/business-resilience
or call 01209708660
The updated guidance on general support for businesses can be found below:
All schools are to close from the end of the school day on Friday 19 March
Update 18 March
To ensure that businesses have access to the funds they need, the Government is:
- Providing support for liquidity amongst large firms, with a major new scheme being launched by the Bank of England to help them bridge Coronavirus disruption to their cash flows through loans
- increasing the amount businesses can borrow through the Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme from £1.2 million to £5 million, and ensuring businesses can access the first 6 months of that finance interest free, as Government will cover the first 6 months of interest payments
- including new legal powers in the Covid Bill enabling us to offer whatever further financial support we think necessary to businesses
- Providing £20 billion of business rates support and grant funding to help the most-affected firms manage their cashflow through this period by:
- giving all retail, hospitality and leisure businesses in England a 100% business rates holiday for the next 12 months
- increasing grants to small businesses eligible for Small Business Rate Relief from £3,000 to £10,000
- providing further £25,000 grants to retail, hospitality and leisure businesses operating from smaller premises, with a rateable value over £15,000 and below £51,000
Mortgage lenders have agreed they will support customers that are experiencing issues with their finances as a result of Covid-19, including through payment holidays of up to 3 months. This will give people the necessary time to recover and ensure they do not have to pay a penny towards their mortgage in the interim.
Confirmation that government advice to avoid pubs, clubs and theatres etc. is sufficient for businesses to claim on their insurance where they have appropriate business interruption cover for pandemics in place.
To support the food industry and help provide meals for people who need to self-isolate, we will relax planning regulations to allow pubs and restaurants to start providing takeaways without a planning application.
Update 17 March
The Prime Minister's latest statement on COVID19 is linked to below:
Now is the time for everyone to stop non-essential contact with others and to stop all unnecessary travel," the prime minister says.
Here are some key points:
Anyone who lives with someone who has a cough or a temperature should stay at home for 14 days
People should start working from home where they possibly can
Avoid pubs, clubs, theatres and other such social venues
Only use the NHS when we really need to
From today government will no longer be "supporting" mass gatherings using emergency workers
https://www.gov.uk/government/speeches/pm-statement-on-coronavirus-16-m…
Information about coronavirus - COVID-19
Coronaviruses are a ‘type’ of virus. The coronavirus we are all hearing about is called COVID-19, but you may also hear it called - coronavirus.
How serious is COVID-19?
The evidence shows us that the vast majority of people who get this virus have relatively mild symptoms and make a full recovery. But in a small percentage of cases, the virus can cause more severe symptoms. This is particularly true for people with a weakened immune system, for older people and for those with long term conditions like diabetes, cancer and chronic lung disease.
A lot of false information about this virus is being shared - it’s very important that you make sure that the information you use comes from a trusted source - all of the information on this page has been sourced from the NHS.
How can you avoid getting and spreading the virus?
Scientists are not yet 100% certain about how this virus spreads but it's likely it's via droplets from coughs and sneezes. The virus spreads easily and can stay on surfaces, it's possible that a lot of us will get it and be affected by it, but if you follow the advice below you will reduce your risk and the risk to others.
- Clean hands - wash hands with soap and water often and for at least 20 seconds. Do this before leaving home and after returning home, before eating and drinking, and after coughing or sneezing
- Cover your mouth and nose - with a tissue or your sleeve (not your hands) when you cough or sneeze - tissue in the bin and wash, or disinfect, your hands immediately
- Don't touch your face - keep your hands away from your face - especially your eyes, nose and mouth
- Clean surfaces - disinfect surfaces around you - especially mobiles, computers, keyboards, worktops, desks, handles...
- Avoid ill people - stay away from people who have symptoms
What are the symptoms?
If you are infected you may have very minor symptoms, minor symptoms or more severe symptoms, but the NHS cites two symptoms to look out for as:
- A new continuous cough
- A fever or high temperature
What should I do if I have either of the above symptoms?
- Protect others - don't call NHS 111
- Protect others - don't call, or go to your GP
- Protect others - don't go to your local hospital
Isolate yourself immediately
However if:
- You are, or become, unable to manage with your symptoms at home
- Your conditions get worse
- Your symptoms do not get better after 7 days
You should use the online 111 service or if you can't use the online service call 111
Isolating yourself
- Stay at home for 7 days - this means not going out at all - do this even if you think your symptoms are mild
- Ask for help - if you're finding it hard to stay at home - text, email, phone, friends, family, employers or your local community to get help - but they mustn't come into your home
- Keep your distance - keep 2 metres (around 3 steps) away from others - including family - for the full 7 days - do not go to your GP surgery or hospital
- Sleep alone - if you can sleep alone you must - it will help ensure people you live with aren't infected
- Keep washing your hands - often and for 20 seconds with soap and water helps minimise the spread
- Drink plenty of fluids - and take everyday pain killers like paracetamol
- Keep cleaning - keeping surfaces clean helps minimise the spread
- Avoid people at risk - people over 65 and those with underlying health conditions are more likely to be affected help keep them safe
- For health information and advice, read NHS pages on coronavirus: NHS.uk/coronavirus
- Learn about the government response to coronavirus: gov.uk/coronavirus
- Find the UK coronavirus dashboard here: bit.ly/UKCOVID19Dashboard
- Public Health England’s coronavirus campaign is here: bit.ly/PHECVCampaign
Attachments
| Attachment | Size |
|---|---|
| COVID Fact Sheet for businesses | 197.68 KB |