Please see the most recent COVID-19 bulletin below.
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Register your establishment for the Eat Out to Help Out Scheme
Restaurants and other establishments serving food for on-premises consumption can now register for the Eat Out to Help Out Scheme. You can register if your establishment:
Posters, images and other promotional materials for use by establishments who are taking part in the Eat Out To Help Out Scheme are available here.
Mandatory face coverings in shops
The Government has announced that face coverings will be mandatory from 24 July when shopping. This is to protect those who work in shops and to give people more confidence to shop safely. Those who do not wear a face covering in shops will face a fine of up to £100. Shops can refuse entry to someone not wearing a face covering and can call the police if someone fails to comply. You can make face-coverings at home. The key thing is it should cover the mouth and nose. Further guidance for business will be available on GOV.UK soon.
FREE Online webinar: Digital security following Covid-19 and keeping your business secure online
Join a free webinar on Wednesday 22 July at 11am to find out more about the most common cyber threats faced by businesses and how to mitigate being the victim of a cyber incident. A representative from the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) will provide an overview of the cyber security risks facing businesses during and after COVID-19, as well as a look at the range of resources freely available from the NCSC for businesses. Please register here.
How to dispose of your business waste, including face coverings and PPE
Find out more here.
New Updates and Guidance
Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (CJRS): A number of updates have been made to guidance on the CJRS:
Self-Employment Income Support Scheme
The scheme is now closed for the first grant. The scheme allows you to claim a second and final taxable grant. You can make a claim for the second grant if you are eligible, even if you did not make a claim for the first grant. Find out more here. A number of updates have been made to the scheme guidance:
Working safely during coronavirus
Providing apprenticeships during the coronavirus outbreak
Guidance has been updated to confirm that from 13 July 2020 providers can welcome back 19+ apprentices into educational settings, that the flexibility to suspend level 2 functional skills for level 2 apprentices has been extended, and to provide more information on support for redundant apprentices.
UK Transition
The UK has left the EU, and the transition period comes to an end on 31 December 2020. Business need to act now to get ready for new rules that will come into force from 1 January 2021.
The UK Government has launched a major new Transition public information campaign called “The UK’s new start: let’s get going” to give everyone the facts that they will need to be ready for 1 January 2021. A straightforward checker tool at gov.uk/transition will quickly identify the specific steps any business or individual needs to take to be ready. The government has also announced:
Further details on the new points-based immigration system from 1 January 2021.
Requests for Business Intelligence and Assistance
Offer coronavirus support
Tell us how your business might be able to help with the response to coronavirus by using our online service
Share the impact coronavirus is having on your organisation
Let us know how the outbreak is impacting your business. Please send your intelligence to intel@beis.gov.uk. Commercially sensitive information will be treated accordingly. Please note that this inbox is only for receiving intelligence and does not provide business advice
Help us shine a light on the stories of key workers
Tell us about key workers you know that are helping to keep the UK moving during the Coronavirus pandemic. Please fill in this online form for key workers in the following sectors: manufacturing, construction, consumer goods, scientists/researchers, servicing, postal workers, and oil/gas/electricity/water/sewage/chemical workers.