Covid-19 Update 30.03.20
ADDITIONAL NEW GUIDANCE RELEASED TODAY
Closing certain businesses and venues – compliance
This document provides guidance on the closure of certain businesses and venues as part of further social distancing measures. As of 26 March 2020, new Regulations extending the restrictions are now enforceable by law due to the threat to public health. New information on compliance has been added to the guidance.
Rules on carrying over annual leave to be relaxed
Workers who have not taken all of their statutory annual leave entitlement due to COVID-19 will now be able to carry it over into the next 2 leave years. These measures will ensure workers won’t lose their leave entitlements and gives more flexibility to business at a time when it is needed most. Find more information here.
Ease of regulations on hand sanitiser and personal protective equipment
By easing regulations, new suppliers and businesses that produce ingredients for hand sanitiser will be able to bring their products to market in a matter of days. Easements will include asking the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) and Local Authorities to fast-track PPE through the product safety assessment process and allowing products which lack the CE mark onto the market provided products meet essential safety requirements. Find out more here.
Exemptions from Devices regulations during the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak
Guidance on the fast-track approval of medical devices during COVID-19 outbreak. In this exceptional situation, MHRA may authorise you to supply a non-CE marked device in the interest of the protection of health.
Intellectual Property Office services
Following the coronavirus outbreak, the Intellectual Property Office have made a number of alterations to their services. This includes alterations to trademarks and designs, patents and interrupted days.
Annual inspection waiver for tank vehicles
Authorisation notice allowing tank vehicles, whose roadworthiness test certificate has been extended, to remain in service on the roads of Great Britain without a valid ADR 1(C) certificate.
Renting: guidance for landlords, tenants and local authorities
This new guidance provides advice to landlords and tenants on the provisions in the Coronavirus Act 2020, and further advice for landlords, tenants and local authorities more broadly about their rights and responsibilities during the COVID-19 outbreak.
BUSINESS SUPPORT PACKAGES: LATEST INFORMATION & UPDATES
Extra protection for businesses with ban on evictions for commercial tenants who miss rent payments.
Financial assistance for employers unable to pay statutory redundancy payments.
The Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme. UPDATED GUIDANCE HERE
Deferring VAT UPDATED
Statutory Sick Pay relief package for SMEs
12-month business rates holiday for all retail, hospitality, leisure and nursery businesses in England
Small business grant funding of £10,000 for all business in receipt of small business rate relief or rural rate relief
Grant funding of £25,000 for retail, hospitality and leisure businesses with property with a rateable value between £15,000 and £51,000
Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme. Additional guidance from the British Business Bank here.
A lending facility from the Bank of England to help support liquidity among larger firms, helping them bridge coronavirus disruption to their cash flows through loans: OPEN
The HMRC Time To Pay Scheme
Technology challenge to support people who are isolating
£500,000 of funding is available for technology companies who come up with digital support solutions for people who need to stay at home because of coronavirus. Funding of up to £25,000 per company is available. For more information on the programme and how to apply, visit techforce19.uk
SECTOR SPECIFIC HELP OUTSIDE GOVERNMENT
The Government is working closely with Business Representative Organisations and Trade Associations to support the national response to coronavirus, including ensuring messages from Government are heard by all businesses and that business voices are heard by Government. This link list of organisations you can speak with to get advice. Many of these websites also include sector specific guidance and Q&A.
GOVERNMENT COVID-19 FAQS: WHAT YOU CAN AND CAN’T DO
The Cabinet Office have produced guidance around the frequently asked questions around the coronavirus outbreak that businesses might like to share with their employees. Find more information here.
