Coronavirus (COVID-19) Businesses and Employers Bulletin - 24 June 2020

This bulletin is issued by the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy and provides the latest information for employers and businesses on coronavirus (COVID-19). All coronavirus business support information can be found at gov.uk/business-support

• Easing of lockdown restrictions in England – reopening of further businesses
• Change to the two-metre social distancing rule
• New Updates and Guidance
• Requests for Business Intelligence and Assistance

Easing of lockdown restrictions in England – reopening of further businesses

From Saturday 4 July 2020, all businesses and venues in England can reopen, except for a small number of ‘Close proximity’ venues such as nightclubs, soft-play areas, indoor gyms, swimming pools, water parks, bowling alleys and spas, which will need to remain closed for now. The UK Government is continuing to work with these sectors to establish taskforces to help them to become COVID Secure and reopen as soon as possible.

Pubs, restaurants and hairdressers and accommodation sites will be able to reopen, providing they adhere to COVID Secure guidelines. Some leisure facilities and tourist attractions may also reopen, if they can do so safely – this includes outdoor gyms and playgrounds, cinemas, museums, galleries, theme parks and arcades.

COVID Secure guides cover a range of different types of work:

• Find the new hotel and guest accommodation guidance here.
• Find the new close contact services (hairdressing, barber shops, beauty, nail bars, make up, tattooing, spray tanning, spas, sports and massage therapy, dress fitters, tailors, fashion designers) guidance here.
• Find the new visitor economy (hotels, guest accommodation, indoor and outdoor attractions, business events and consumer shows) guidance here.

Find the updated restaurants, pubs, bars and takeaway services guidance here.

Change to the two-metre social distancing rule

From 4 July 2020, newly updated guidance recommends that you keep two metres away from people as a precaution or one metre when you can mitigate the risk by taking other precautions. Find the updated guidance and further details on mitigating risks here.

New Updates and Guidance

New:

Corporate Insolvency and Governance Bill Webinars

The Corporate Insolvency and Governance Bill will reform the insolvency and corporate governance framework in light of the COVID emergency. The Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy has planned two webinars to explain different aspects of this new legislation.

• To find out how provisions on AGMs and filing extensions will affect companies, please join us for our Corporate Governance session at 10.30am on 30th June. You can register here.
• To find out how the new rules on moratoriums, restructuring and winding-up petitions will affect companies and their associated parties, register to join our Insolvency session at 10.30am on 7th July. You can register here.

New plans to get Britain building in coronavirus recovery

New measures to help the construction industry boost building and return to work safely have been announced. Planning permission deadlines will be extended, planning appeals will be sped up and builders will be allowed more flexible working hours following agreement with their local council. You can find more information here.

The Department for Digital, Media, Culture and Sport have contributed to guidance on partner websites

• UK broadcasters: TV Production Guidance: Managing the risk of Coronavirus (COVID-19) in production making
• British Film Commission: Working Safely During COVID-19 in Film and High-end TV Drama Production
• National Youth Agency: Managing youth sector activities and spaces during COVID-19
• UK Cinema Association Working Safely During COVID-19 in Drive-in Cinemas

Updated:

Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme: step by step guide for employers

This guide has been updated with more information about flexible furlough and overpayments

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, including information and feedback on the safer workplace guidance, 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.

Other useful links

Some aspects of business support are devolved. Specific information for businesses and employers in Northern Ireland, Scotland, and Wales is available. In England, Growth Hubs can advise on local and UK Government business support. You can also find helpful business case studies and other useful information on the Coronavirus Business Support Blog.