Please see the most recent COVID-19 bulletin below.
CONTENTS
NEW COVID-secure webinars for hospitality, salons, and other close contact workplaces
Join a free webinar, hosted by the Department of Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, to recap COVID-secure guidance on how to operate safely and to hear your feedback on implementing the guidance in practice, and where you would seek further clarification.
A new webinar on the Eat Out to Help Out scheme is also now available here.
Working safely during coronavirus
Guidance on safe working in education, childcare and children’s social care has been updated to clarify advice on the system of controls measures including PPE and the NHS test and trace process.
New Updates and Guidance
Changes to working time requirements for Enterprise Management Incentives (EMI)
Individuals who are furloughed or who have their working hours reduced below the current statutory working time requirement for EMI as a result of coronavirus will retain the tax advantages of the scheme. Find more information here.
New plans to ensure pubs, restaurants and cafes offer both smoking and non-smoking outdoor options
People using pubs, restaurants and cafes will soon have greater freedom to choose non-smoking outdoor areas following an amendment to legislation. An amendment will ensure that customers are given more choice by ensuring premises offer separate seating for smokers and non-smokers outside. Find out more here.
Bounce-Back plans for Northern Ireland's tech sector
Exports Minister Graham Stuart has addressed tech businesses in Northern Ireland, outlining a series of measures to help recovery from the challenges of coronavirus. The new measures will help create and support jobs by increasing exports and attracting international investment. Find out more here.
Leicester lockdown: travel and transport
Guidance for people in Leicester and affected surrounding areas about travelling during local lockdown. You should only travel into, out of and within areas under local lockdown if your travel is essential. For example: to and from work if you cannot work from home or to buy food and medical supplies. Find out more here.
Closing certain businesses and venues in Leicester
On 4 July 2020 regulations were introduced closing certain businesses and venues in Leicester. These regulations now only apply to the City of Leicester and the Borough of Oadby and Wigston. Restaurants, pubs, bars, cafes, canteens, hair and beauty salons, see the full list with exemptions here.
Guidance on pavement licences is no longer draft. The temporary pavement licences process introduces a streamlined consent route to allow businesses to obtain a licence to place temporary furniture, such as tables and chairs outside of cafes, bars and restaurants quickly, and for no more than £100.
Guidance on Construction working hours is no longer draft. The guidance sets out further detail on the new route for applicants seeking to extend construction site working hours introduced in the Business and Planning Act.
Advice for UK visa applicants and temporary UK residents
If you’re in the UK and your leave to remain expires between 24 January 2020 and 31 July 2020, your visa will be extended to 31 July 2020 if you cannot leave the UK because of travel restrictions or self-isolation related to coronavirus. Find out more here.
Apply for the Queen's Award for Enterprise
The Queen’s Awards for Enterprise are the most prestigious awards for UK businesses recognising and rewarding their outstanding achievements in the fields of: Innovation, Sustainable Development, International Trade and Promoting Opportunity (through social mobility. 90% of the 2020 winners were SMEs). The Awards can bring sustainable benefits to winners, including: increased staff morale, boosts to turnover and international trade, greater recognition and excellent marketing opportunities. Winners are also invited to a reception in Buckingham Palace.
Almost all UK businesses can apply, applications are open until 9 September. Find out more here.
