Coronavirus (COVID-19) – Businesses and Employers Bulletin 6 April 2020

[Nigel Burtt]

 

Coronavirus (COVID-19) – Businesses and Employers Bulletin 6 April 2020 This bulletin is issued by the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy and provides information for employers and businesses on Coronavirus (COVID-19). Organisations should pay particular attention to the guidance for employees, employers and businesses which is being updated regularly with the latest advice. The Business Support website helps businesses find the right support, advice and information to help with the impact of Coronavirus (COVID-19) and the support measures that are available. This website will continue to be updated as information becomes available.  Contents Use of facemasks in the workplace Business Secretary appeals to everyone to stay calm and carry on the good work New Updates and Guidance Requests for Business Intelligence and Assistance   Use of facemasks in the workplace The guidance for employees, employers and businesses has been updated with guidance on use of face masks in the community. The UK does not currently advise use of face masks outside of care settings, in line with PPE guidance. Therefore, PHE does not advise masks in public places and for those working in supermarkets, waste collection, schools and similar settings. PHE recommends that employers should ensure that: spaces in the workplace are optimised to allow social distancing to occur, wherever possible signs are visible in the workplace reminding employees not to attend work if they have a fever or cough and to avoid touching their eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands employees are provided with hand sanitiser for frequent use and regular breaks to allow them to wash their hands for 20 seconds.   Business Secretary appeals to everyone to stay calm and carry on the good work Business Secretary, Alok Sharma, writes thanking workers and businesses for their support during the coronavirus pandemic.   New Updates and Guidance New NHS asks people to share their coronavirus symptoms to help others A new Coronavirus Status Checker will help the NHS coordinate its response and build up additional data on the COVID-19 outbreak. It is open to anyone in the UK to use on the NHS website and in its initial phase the NHS is particularly keen for anyone who thinks they may be displaying potential coronavirus symptoms, no matter how mild, to complete it. Please share the checker with your employees and networks. You can find more information here. Slides and datasets to accompany coronavirus press conference: 5 April 2020 Help find new ways to ease global disruption: apply for funding UK businesses can apply for a share of £20 million in a fast-track competition to develop new ways to tackle global disruption such as that caused by COVID-19. Find out more here. Updates Coronavirus (COVID-19): business support grant funding - guidance for businesses Guidance for businesses setting out details of the Small Business Grants Fund (SBGF) and Retail, Hospitality and Leisure Grant Fund (RHLGF) has been updated with information about State Aid. Personal protective equipment (PPE): export control process Information for economic operators who will temporarily need a licence to export PPE outside the EU, EFTA member states and certain other territories. Added link to a question and answer document by the EU. Maintaining further education provision The operational guidance for further education (FE) providers on maintaining education and skills training provision has been updated. Annual inspection waiver for tank vehicles The notice allowing tank vehicles, with extended roadworthiness test certificates, to remain in service and on our roads without a valid ADR 1(C) certificate has been updated to say authorisation now includes class VII ADR vehicles.   Requests for Business Intelligence and Assistance Can your business offer coronavirus (COVID-19) support? UK Government is looking for businesses who can offer support in the multiple areas and has set up an online tool where businesses can register. To find the list of areas and offer support click here. Business Intelligence: share the impact Coronavirus is having on your organisation  We welcome information from businesses on impacts across supply, demand and labour markets, actions to address these impacts, and any gaps in the Government response from your perspective. Please send your intelligence to in...@beis.gov.uk. We are aware that individual company information may be commercially sensitive, and it will be treated accordingly.  Please note that this inbox is only for receiving intelligence and does not provide business advice.     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 - including schemes to help businesses through the current situation. Find your local Growth Hub here.  All previous Coronavirus Bulletins can be found here. Please note the information in previous bulletins was accurate on the date it was published and will not be updated.  Guidance, information and announcements on all aspects of Coronavirus can be found at GOV.UK.      Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy  Business Intelligence and Readiness Directorate        s...@beis.gov.uk  6 April 2020   You are receiving this bulletin because you have previously subscribed to this bulletin, the Industrial Strategy Bulletin or the Business Readiness Bulletin. Update your subscription preferences.  If you have been forwarded this bulletin, you can subscribe to receive them directly. After adding your email address click add subscriptions, tick the newsletter box and then click next.