COVID-19 – Resources for Businesses

Business Support

We appreciate that information relating to the COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic is changing regularly and wanted to be able to share and signpost information for businesses working in the tourism and hospitality industry. We anticipate that this information will be updated frequently. Please visit the following pages for up-to-date information:

Not in Bath and North East Somerset?

Links to other local authority information:

Government Advice on Reporting Outbreaks

COVID-19 early outbreak management information has been created to make sure that people who run businesses or organisations:

Know how to recognise and report an incident of COVID-19.
Are aware of measures local health protection teams may advise in order to contain it.
Full details can be found here.

In addition, 'action cards' have been developed to cover a range of businesses and organisations to provide specific advice on the issues each type of organisation may face now lockdown restrictions have been eased.

You can find more details on the action cards here.

Government Guidance – Updated 22nd September 2020

From Thursday 24th September 2020:

All hospitality venues must close between 22:00 and 05:00 (they must shut at 22:00, not be calling for last orders).
All pubs, bars and restaurants will be restricted to table service only. Takeaways can continue.
Customers in indoor hospitality venues will also have to wear masks, except when seated at a table to eat or drink.
Face coverings must be worn by retail and hospitality staff.

From Monday 28th September 2020:

The number of people allowed to attend wedding ceremonies and receptions will be reduced from 30 to 15. 30 people can still attend a funeral. Organisers must follow Covid-19 Secure guidance and all legal requirements in order to ensure they are protecting their staff and customers.
In retail, leisure, tourism and other sectors, Covid-secure guidelines will become legal obligations. Businesses will be fined and could be closed if they breach these rules.

Business Events & Conferences

Business conferences, exhibitions and large sporting events were planned to reopen on 1st October 2020. This will now be paused. However, we understand that business events of up to 30 can continue – see Conference News

Live Theatre

We understand that live theatre able to continue with social distancing, though measures expected for six months - Whats On Stage

We are working hard with government and partners to get further details to you ASAP and will share further updates when available

The full speech can be found here. You will note that the PM suggested these restrictions could be in place for 6 months.

Useful links can be found here - https://www.visitbritain.org/business-advice

Test and Trace update

As you are all hopefully aware there is a legal requirement - that came into force on 18th September - for venues in hospitality, the tourism and leisure industry, close contact services and local authority facilities to:

Ask at least one member of every party of customers or visitors (up to 6 people) to provide their name and contact details.
Keep a record of all staff working on their premises and shift times on a given day and their contact details.
Keep these records of customers, visitors and staff for 21 days and provide data to NHS Test and Trace if requested.
Adhere to General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR).

From 24th September, there will be an additional legal requirement for the same venues to display an official NHS QR code poster, so that customers and visitors can ‘check in’ using this option as an alternative to providing their contact details. Any designated venue that is found not to be compliant with these regulations mentioned above will be subject to financial penalties.

The Skills Toolkit

The Department for Education have launched The Skills Toolkit, a new online platform giving people easy access to free, high-quality digital and numeracy courses to help them build up their skills, progress in work and boost their job prospects.

The platform offers a range of courses at all levels, from introductory to advanced, which were chosen in consultation with top businesses and educational experts. It’s open to everyone, whether they have recently been furloughed and want to learn new skills, are out of work and looking to build up their CV, or if they’re just keen to keep their mind healthy and busy during time spent at home.

Focussing on the skills many employers need the most, The Skills Toolkit is a first step towards recovery, helping to boost the nation’s growth and productivity.

Click here to find out more.

HMRC Webinars

Now that the Government's COVID-19 business support packages are live, they are gathering feedback on how they are being utilised and how best to help businesses to access the support. As such, HMRC are delivering a programme of webinars to support employers, employees and the self-employed through this period of disruption. Click here to watch the first recorded webinar and register for future webinars.

Expanded Retail Business Rates Discount

In the Budget, the Government announced a new Expanded Retail Discount scheme for occupied retail, leisure and hospitality premises. Under the scheme, eligible premises will receive a discount of up to 100% on their bill for 2020/21.

Click here to find out more.

Further Business Support Measures

The Government has also announced further business support measures which include a job retention scheme, new tax deferments and relaxation of Universal Credit eligibility criteria for those that are self-employed. You can find further information here.

The Council’s Invest in Bath service is coordinating support services to local businesses in light of the COVID-19 public health situation. Invest in Bath will be sharing further information about targeted business support and financial assistance that is available as and when further schemes are announced. If you do have specific concerns, questions or needs at this time, please contact Invest in Bath on info@investinbath.co.uk, and the team will respond directly. Alternatively visit the Invest in Bath website for the latest news and links to their Twitter and e-newsletters. You can also read the full government documents in response to the impact of COVID-19 on businesses.

Closures, Cancellations and Postponements

For details of venues that have closed and events that are postponed or cancelled, click here to visit our consumer COVID-19 advice page.

If your venue or event is not listed and is closed, please do let us know and we will update.