Updated 23rd September
- Business conferences, exhibitions and large sporting events will not be reopened from 1 October.
From 28th September
- A maximum of 15 people may attend weddings, while 30 may attend funerals.
From 24th September
- Pubs, bars and restaurants must operate table-service only, except for takeaways
- Hospitality venues must close at 10 pm (which means closing, not last orders). The same will apply to takeaways, although deliveries can continue
- Retail staff will have to wear face coverings as will and staff and customers in indoor hospitality, except when seated at a table to eat or drink
- Covid-secure guidelines will become legal obligations in retail, leisure, tourism and other sectors.
- Visit the government webpage for the Covid-19 Secure guidelines for the following sectors:
- Close contact services
- Construction and other outdoor work
- Factories, plants and warehouses
- Heritage locations
- Hotels and other guest accommodation
- Labs and research facilities
- Offices and contact centres
- Other people’s homes
- Performing arts
- Providers of grassroots sport and gym/leisure facilities
- Restaurants offering takeaway or delivery
- Shops and branches
- Vehicles – for drivers working in or from vehicles
- The visitor economy
- 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
- local authority venues
- Create your personalised QR poster for people to scan and check-in here: https://www.gov.uk/create-coronavirus-qr-poster
From 23rd September
- Office workers who are able to work from home should do so
- People using taxis and private hire vehicles are required to wear face coverings
From 14th September
- People from other households cannot meet socially in groups of more than six. This applies indoors and outdoors, including in private homes. Education and work settings are unaffected.
NHS COVID-19 app. Important update for businesses
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
To complete the form you will need your email address and the address of your business. If you have more than one business premises will need a separate QR code for each location.
NHS app
From 24th September people will be able to download the NHS app to check in at venues displaying the NHS QR code and get alerts if they have visited a venue where they may have come into contact with coronavirus. Users will also get alerts if they have been near other users who have tested positive for coronavirus. The app will also enable people to book tests, get results and see the level of coronavirus in their area.
Advice for businesses from Surrey County Council
Surrey County Council have produced the following guidance for businesses as announced by the Government to suppress the spread of the COVID virus in the workplace and amongst the workforce.
Click here to download the Surrey County Council Business Toolkit for Track and Trace
Click here to download the letter from Surrey County Council to businesses about Track and Trace
Social media images
The following images have been created for your use to raise awareness of the app and checking in at venues.
- Click here to download the T&T_FaceBook_Business image
- Click here to download the TT_LinkedIn image
- Click here to download the TT_Twitter_image
Backing business – please support Tandridge District Council’s Festive campaign
Any plans you already have in place for November and December.
What additional safety measures you have in place.
If your business has a shop window or premises – let us know when your Christmas display will be in place.
If you’re offering an online and delivery, or collection facility – particularly for shielding or vulnerable residents and if the government measures become more restricted.
If your business would like to submit a quote to create any of the media, please e-mail us at communications@tandridge.gov.uk by Wednesday 23 September. We aim to award the contracts in the first week of October. The Christmas campaign includes:
A short film.
Local radio message.
Digital marketing campaign.
Print marketing such as banners and posters displayed around the district, on TDC vehicles and areas of high footfall.
For more information about the campaign, visit www.tandridge.gov.uk/backingbusiness
Click here to download the image
The situation with coronavirus, 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 14th July
From 25th July
Indoor gyms, swimming pools and sports facilities to reopen Government guidance is here.
From 24th July
Face coverings will have to be worn in shops and supermarkets. Children under 11 and people with certain medical conditions will be exempt.
From 13th July
Beauticians, tattooists, spas, tanning salons and other close-contact services can reopen. Government guidance is here.
From 11th July
Performing arts can take place outdoors in front of a socially distanced audience present. Government guidance is here.
Outdoor pools can reopen
From 4th July
From 4th July the 2m social distancing rule is reduced to 1m+, still staying 2m apart where feasible
From 4th July two households (of any size) can meet in any setting, inside or outside. Outside people form any household can meet in groups of up to six, or from two households in groups of any size
From 4th July people can stay overnight in shared facilities (hotels, B&Bs, campsites). Shared facilities must be kept clean
From 4th July
- Restaurants and pubs can open
- Table service must be offered, with minimal staff/customer contact
- Must support test and trace – must collect people’s contact details
- Hairdressers and barbers can open as long as appropriate measures are in place and must use visors
- Outdoor gyms, playgrounds, theme parks, libraries, museums, cinemas, social clubs, community centres can open
- Recreation and sport is allowed but indoor facilities such as changing rooms and courts will remain closed. You can only play contact team sports with members of the same household
- Places of worship can open and weddings can take place (up to 30 people subject to social distancing guidance)
For now
- Night clubs, indoor gyms, soft play, swimming pools and spas, bowling alleys and water parks must stay closed.
- Further advice will be provided for close contact businesses such as nail bars.
- The government is developing guidance to enable choirs, orchestras and theatres to start operating again.
Formal childcare settings will open over the summer, full attendance at schools to start in September – those who can attend now should do so.
From Monday 1 June
Outdoor markets and car showrooms can reopen, provided they meet COVID-19 secure guidelines to protect shoppers and workers.
From Monday 8 June
Dental practices can re-open
From Monday 15 June
Secondary and FE Colleges can have face to face contact with pupils in Year 10 and Year 12 in addition to online learning.
Non-essential retail can open, provided they meet COVID-19 secure guidelines to protect shoppers and workers.
Update 9th June: Businesses opening must complete a risk assessment and must display the Government poster in their window. Local Authorities may be completing spot checks.
-
- See the Risk Assessment Templates section below and download a risk assessment template here
- Copies of the poster are available free of charge for businesses in the BID area – simply email tracey@loveoxted.co.uk to get your copy.
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
House moves and viewings can take place and estate agents and letting agents can open.
Workers should continue to work from home rather than their normal physical workplace, wherever possible. Workers who cannot work from home should travel to work if their workplace is open. People are encouraged to cycle, walk or drive rather than use public transport to get to work.
Nannies and childminders can return to work.
Garden centres can open.
Workplaces should follow the Covid-19 Secure guidelines which have been published for the following sectors:
-
- Construction and other outdoor work
- Factories, plants and warehouses
- Homes – working in or delivering to other people’s homes
- Labs and research facilities
- Offices and contact centres
- Restaurants offering takeaway or delivery
- Shops and branches
- Vehicles – for drivers working in or from vehicles
Social distancing guidance on public transport must be followed (further guidance to be provided this week)
People should wear a face-covering (not face mask) in enclosed spaces where social distancing is not always possible, eg on public transport or in some shops.
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.
From 1st June the Government hopes to allow:
Non essential retail to open in phases, following COVID-19 Secure guidelines.
From 4 July the Government hopes to
Allow hairdressers, beauty salons, restaurants, pubs, accommodation, worship facilities and leisure facilities (eg cinemas) re-open, subject to meeting COVID-19 Secure guidelines.
Read our more detailed summary here.
No change from 23rd March:
All non essential shops, pubs, bars, restaurants, cafes, night clubs, gyms, leisure centres libraries, playgrounds, outdoor gyms and places of worship are to close. Restaurants / bars can offer takeaways. Online businesses can remain open.
Funerals are allowed but not weddings or baptisms.
If people do not follow the rules police have the powers to enforce them, including through fines and dispersing gatherings
https://loveoxted.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/chat.png
General advice:
Keep up to date with updates.
Do communicate with staff regularly and keep customers updated as required. Make sure information you share has come from an official source.
Review your business continuity plan and the critical priorities in your business.
https://loveoxted.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/law.png
Helpful links and Government Resources
The government has announced a package of measures to support businesses including:
a statutory sick pay (SSP) relief package for SMEs who will be able to reclaim SSP paid for sickness absence due to COVID-19. This will cover up to 2 weeks’ SSP per eligible employee who has been off work because of COVID-19. In addition, employers with fewer than 250 employees will be eligible – the size of an employer will be determined by the number of people they employed as of 28 February 2020.
increasing the Business Rates retail discount in England to 100% for the 2020 to 2021 tax year for all businesses regardless of their rateable value in the retail, leisure and hospitality sectors. Councils will apply this automatically.
the coronavirus retention scheme will be available to all businesses of any size, including charities and not for profit. Companies can apply for a grant for the wages of staff not working but still on payroll. This will be up to 80% salary and up to £2,500 per month per employee. This is backdated to 1 March and will be available for at least 3 months.
businesses in the retail, hospitality and leisure sectors with a rateable value under £15,000 have access to a grant of £10,000 and, for those with a rateable value over £15,000 and below £51,000, £25,000 grants are available. Councils will write to eligible businesses.
the Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme to support long-term viable businesses who may need to respond to cash-flow pressures by seeking additional finance up to £5m with the first 12 months interest free. Find out more here.
The next VAT quarter’s payment will be deferred and not due until the end of the financial year.
commercial tenants who are unable to pay rent because of coronavirus will be protected from eviction – if you are struggling to pay your rent please do speak to your landlord first. Read more here.
the HMRC Time To Pay Scheme – call the HMRC helpline on 0800 0159 559.
People who are self employed can claim a grant through the coronavirus (COVID-19) Self-employment Income Support Scheme which is a taxable grant of 80% of trading profits up to a maximum of £2,500 per month for the next 3 months. Read more on the government website here.
Read more about government support for businesses on their dedicated website here.
HM Revenue & Customs
HMRC are running a series of webinars providing an overview of the support available for businesses and will include information on the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme, refunding eligible Statutory Sick Pay costs, furloughed employees and more. Find out more and register here.
COVID-19 Secure Guidance
The Government have published their COVID-19 Secure guidance to enable workplaces are as safe as possible. Specific guidance is available for the following sectors:
Construction and other outdoor work
Factories, plants and warehouses
Homes – working in or delivering to other people’s homes
Labs and research facilities
Offices and contact centres
Restaurants offering takeaway or delivery
Shops and branches
Vehicles – for drivers working in or from vehicles
For the link to the Government website here.
Risk Assessment Templates
Risk Assessment Templates – download here
The Governments 5 Steps To Working Safely
The Government has published their 5 steps to working safely. The full guidance can be found here:
These are in addition to the industry-specific COVID-19 Secure Guidelines which can be found here:
1. CARRY OUT A COVID-19 RISK ASSESSMENT
Before restarting work you should ensure the safety of the workplace by:
- carrying out a risk assessment in line with the HSE guidance
- consulting with your workers or trade unions
- sharing the results of the risk assessment with your workforce and on your website
2. DEVELOP CLEANING, HANDWASHING AND HYGIENE PROCEDURES
You should increase the frequency of handwashing and surface cleaning by:
- encouraging people to follow the guidance on hand washing and hygiene
- providing hand sanitiser around the workplace, in addition to washrooms
- frequently cleaning and disinfecting objects and surfaces that are touched regularly
- enhancing cleaning for busy areas
- setting clear use and cleaning guidance for toilets
- providing hand drying facilities – either paper towels or electrical dryers
3. HELP PEOPLE TO WORK FROM HOME
You should take all reasonable steps to help people work from home by:
- discussing home working arrangements
- ensuring they have the right equipment, for example remote access to work systems
- including them in all necessary communications
- looking after their physical and mental wellbeing
4. MAINTAIN 2M SOCIAL DISTANCING, WHERE POSSIBLE
Where possible, you should maintain 2m between people by:
- putting up signs to remind workers and visitors of social distancing guidance
- avoiding sharing workstations
- using floor tape or paint to mark areas to help people keep to a 2m distance
- arranging one-way traffic through the workplace if possible
- switching to seeing visitors by appointment only if possible
5. WHERE PEOPLE CANNOT BE 2M APART, MANAGE TRANSMISSION RISK
Where it’s not possible for people to be 2m apart, you should do everything practical to manage the transmission risk by:
- considering whether an activity needs to continue for the business to operate
- keeping the activity time involved as short as possible
- using screens or barriers to separate people from each other
- using back-to-back or side-to-side working whenever possible
- staggering arrival and departure times
- reducing the number of people each person has contact with by using ‘fixed teams or partnering’
https://loveoxted.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/help.png
SUPPORT FOR BUSINESSES
Government Website
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.
VISIT THE GOVERNMENT BUSINESS SUPPORT WEBSITE
FSB Coronavirus Covid-19 Hub:
Please click the link for the FSB Coronavirus Covid-19 Hub update here.
BOUNCE BACK LOANS FOR SMALL BUSINESSES
From 4th May businesses can apply for Bounce Back loans, a new 100% government backed loan scheme for small business.
Businesses will be able to borrow between £2,000 and £50,000 and access the cash within days and loans will be interest free for the first 12 months.
The scheme was announced by the Chancellor, Rishi Sunak on 27th April and has been designed to ensure that small firms who need vital cash injections to keep operating can get finance in a matter of days
The government will provide lenders with a 100% guarantee for the loan and pay any fees and interest for the first 12 months and no repayments will be due during the first 12 months.
The loans will be easy to apply for through a short, standardised online application. The loan should reach businesses within days- providing immediate support to those that need it as easily as possible.
The Chancellor of the Exchequer, Rishi Sunak, said, “Our smallest businesses are the backbone of our economy and play a vital role in their communities. This new rapid loan scheme will help ensure they get the finance they need quickly to help survive this crisis. This is in addition to business grants, tax deferrals, and the job retention scheme, which are already helping to support hundreds of thousands of small businesses.”
Business Secretary Alok Sharma said, “Our small businesses are vital in ensuring our communities thrive and will be crucial in creating jobs and securing economic growth as we recover. This rapid loan scheme offers additional protection so small companies across the country can get access to the finance they need immediately, as part of the unprecedented package of support we have put in place.”
The scheme will launch for applications on Monday 4 May. Firms will be able to access these loans through a network of accredited lenders.
The government will work with lenders to ensure loans delivered through this scheme are advanced as quickly as possible and agree a low standardised level of interest for the remaining period of the loan.
Apply for a Coronavirus bounce back loan here.
Read more information from British Business Bank
Find a summary of support for businesses in our Coronavirus information hub here.
https://loveoxted.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/mobile-retina.png
BID Support
The Oxted app by Loyal Free includes information on businesses who offer online ordering, home delivery or click and collect. To find out more or to get involved email us.
https://loveoxted.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/preview-full-Tandridge_District_Council.png
Tandridge District Council
Tandridge District Council have a dedicated page with information and advice on coronavirus which includes a section for businesses. Read more here.
For email updates from the council sign up for their newsletter here.
https://loveoxted.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/www.png
Links to other websites
Government website with latest information, advice and action plan here.
Government dedicated website support for businesses here.
Government updates here.
Public Health England website here.
Advice from ACAS for employers here
Guidance for small businesses from the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) here.
NHS Poster encouraging people to wash their hands here.https://loveoxted.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/supermarket.png
Advice for specific sectors
Pubs, restaurants, bars and hotels may find the following guidance from UK Hospitality helpful.
Read the guidance here.
The government announced that planning laws will be relaxed to allow pubs and restaurants to offer takeaways. Read more here.
The Association of Corner shops has produced helpful guidance for retailers looking to sell home delivery here.
https://loveoxted.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/alarm.png
Crime and Fraud Prevention Advice
The National Business Crime Centre have produced Crime Prevention Tips in relation to Coronavirus – download the Guidance here.The National Crime Agency have issued guidance relating to fraud during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Read it here.A recent update by the UK’s National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) and the United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) reported no overall increase in cyber crime but more crimes relating to coronavirus, particularly government-branded scams in the UK.
These fall into three main categories:
– Phishing emails or Texts to get you to download a link or give away your details
-Vulnerabilities in networks as people work from home
– Online conferencing
Phishing emails or Texts to get you to download a link or give away your details
These emails or texts often masquerade as trusted entities. It is relatively easy to fake an email for example to appear to come from a legitimate authority such as the UK Government, World Health Organisation or the FD of your company.
Beware anything that asks you to download file or app and be aware that any webpages you click through to may look genuine. Coronavirus updates or trackers in your town / county or promised government rebates or fines have been used as lures to get people to click on links.
NCSC’s top tips for spotting a phishing email:
– Authority:Is the sender claiming to be from someone official (like your bank, doctor, a solicitor, government department)? Criminals often pretend to be important people or organisations to trick you into doing what they want.
– Urgency: Are you told you have a limited time to respond (like in 24 hours or immediately)? Criminals often threaten you with fines or other negative consequences.
– Emotion: Does the message make you panic, fearful, hopeful or curious? Criminals often use threatening language, make false claims of support, or tease you into wanting to find out more.
– Scarcity: Is the message offering something in short supply (like PPE, money or a cure for medical conditions)?
Vulnerabilities in networks as people work from home
Criminals have been seen to exploit vulnerabilities in Citrix, Pulse Secure, Fortinet and Palo Alto as more people work from home.
There is also an increased risk of fraud being committed with emails requesting quick payments of invoices exploiting that people are working from home.
Online conferencing
There has been a reported increase in people hijacking zoom meetings and of phishing emails which appear to come from Microsoft Teams or Zoom.
FBI tips for defending against online meeting hijacking:
-Do not make meetings public. Instead, require a meeting password or use the waiting room feature and control the admittance of guests.
-Do not share a link to meeting on an unrestricted publicly available social media post or on Eventbrite. Provide the link directly to specific people.
-Manage screensharing options. Change screensharing to “Host Only.”
-Ensure users are using the updated version of remote access/meeting applications.
Links to NCSC Guidance
– Phishing and suspicious emails: https://www.ncsc.gov.uk/guidance/suspicious-email-actions and https://www.ncsc.gov.uk/guidance/phishing
– Malware and Ransomeware: https://www.ncsc.gov.uk/guidance/mitigating-malware-and-ransomware-attacks
– Home working: https://www.ncsc.gov.uk/guidance/home-working
This update is based on the UK’s National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) and the United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) provided an update on 8 April 2020 of cyber crime exploiting the coronavirus pandemic. Read the full report here.
The Government have launched guidance to avoid Mandate Fraud, where fraudsters encourage businesses to change the accounts money is paid into.
https://loveoxted.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/preview-full-logo.png
Coast to Capital Local Enterprise Partnership
The Coast to Capital Growth Hub Team are providing the following support to businesses in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Support and signposting to the latest information and support during this testing time.
Growth Hub Advisers are available to talk through business issues and will be able to refer businesses to specialist financial and other advice and potentially fund an initial day’s support.
One to one video clinics, webinars and specialist advice with growth champions. Future clinics on key topics are below:
Wednesday 15 April | Innovation
–diversification, new ideas and new business opportunities | Click here to register
Thursday 16 April | Technology
– home working, communication, collaboration & productivity | Click here to register
Friday 17 April | Mental Resilience
– coping with home life, fitness, health and mental wellbeing | Click here to register
Visit the website here
https://loveoxted.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/download.jpg
Surrey Chambers of Commerce
Surrey Chambers of Commerce are hosting free weekly business Q&A sessions on Thursdays at 1pm via Zoom session at 1pm. Events are listed here.
Visit the Surrey Chamber of Commerce Coronavirus Hub here.
