Support for business

Updated 17.12.21

Move to Plan B measures

England has moved to Plan B measures to reduce the spread of the COVID-19 Omicron Variant. Updated guidance on GOV.UK.

Business grants

Information on business grants is available here.

What to do if you have cases of COVID-19 in your workplace

COVID-19 Resource pack for workplaces including templates to assist with the management of individual cases and their contacts, for recording details of staff absence/illness and letters to distribute to staff in the event of one or confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the workplace.

SMART testing in the workplace

Information on smart testing in the workplace is available here.

Covid safety and test and trace for employees

Use the guidance below to help complete your risk assessment and inform your decisions and control measures.

Businesses should:

  • support workers if they are required to self-isolate
  • support workers to follow the wider stay at home guidance to keep themselves and others safe
  • continue targeted asymptomatic testing in high-risk workplaces
  • display an NHS QR code poster and have a system for non-digital users, so that people can be notified if they may have been exposed to the virus
  • improve ventilation
  • advise those who have tested positive to identify close contacts, so they can follow the relevant public health guidance

You can find out further information in the following guidance NHS Test and Trace in the workplace

Further resources and support

The government is also supporting businesses and their employees through a package of measures.

Guidance for people who are self-employed is available on the government website.

You can also watch videos and register for free webinars to learn about the support available to help you deal with the economic impacts of coronavirus.

Omicron Social Media & Posters - Coronavirus Resource centre (phe.gov.uk)

Support offer for care providers

Support to providers that the local authority has contracts with:

  • PPE offer - same day supply of quantity and quality.
  • Trained and ready to deploy auxiliary workforce supply
  • Flexible Template for providers to request financial assistance/ submit additional costs - including changes to care packages, PPE purchases and other costs including staffing, agency staff, food supplies
  • Established weekly group for review of financial assistance claims and immediate payment.
  • Infection Prevention and Control Training Offer delivered through Health.
  • Help Hub support with food to service users and accommodation provision where individuals self-isolating or no access to food helping providers to focus on care provision
  • Co-ordinated support with health colleagues and Neighbourhood teams including Infection Prevention Control, Telemeds and virtual ward rounds.
  • BwD Online Learning portal available for all regulated care staff including training on IPC amongst many other areas.

Support being offered specifically to domiciliary care:

  • Daily payment of invoices
  • Commissioned additional crisis support hours

Support being offered specifically to residential care:

  • Moved to fortnightly payment in advance
  • Support of additional recovery beds within the system
  • Review of occupancy levels for average occupancy payments

Support being offered specifically to other provisions:

  • Block Contracts paid at commissioned levels

Support to providers that the local authority does not have contracts with:

  • PPE offer - same day supply of quantity and quality.
  • Trained and ready to deploy auxiliary workforce supply
  • Flexible Template for providers to request financial assistance/ submit additional costs - including changes to care packages, PPE purchases and other costs including staffing, agency staff, food supplies
  • Established weekly group for review of financial assistance claims and immediate payment.
  • Infection Prevention and Control Training Offer delivered through Health.
  • Help Hub support with food to service users and accommodation provision where individuals self-isolating or no access to food helping providers to focus on care provision
  • BwD Online Learning portal available for all regulated care staff including training on IPC amongst many other areas.
Reporting a business for breaching restrictions

How to report a business

If you have concerns that a retail business, office or warehouse does not have precautions in place along with current guidelines you can report them using our online form.

Open non retail premises which are failing with social distancing

Please report manufacturing businesses if they are failing to comply with social distancing using the Health and Safety Executive's online form.

The responsible persons (Owners, Managers, and Directors etc.) can be issued with a Fixed Penalty Notice or prosecuted if steps haven’t been taken to make the workplace Covid secure.

Events

If you are thinking about holding an event for the public, particularly in the lead up to seasonal activities, please register and tell us about it so that we can provide guidance.

Keeping workplaces well ventilated

Ventilation

Improving ventilation reduces the spread of COVID-19 and other viruses such as flu.

Allowing fresh or cleaned air into indoor spaces dilutes viruses and stops them from building up and infecting your staff, clients, customers and visitors.

You can increase the amount of fresh or cleaned air into indoor spaces by:

Opening windows, air vents and doors to improve natural ventilation

Windows and doors fully, or partially open can improve ventilation while remaining comfortable.

Maintaining your mechanical ventilation systems

Ensure your systems are set to maximise fresh air and minimise air recirculation.

Risk assessment priorities

Identify poorly ventilated spaces that are usually occupied by staff, customers, clients or visitors and improve fresh air flow in these areas

Balance ventilation with keeping workplace temperatures comfortable to work in, for example,

  • Higher-level windows can create fewer draughts.
  • Dress codes so people can wear extra layers and warmer clothing

For further information and advice about improving ventilation, please refer to the:

For business support and advice please refer to:

Related

COVID-19 response