business_continuity

Business Continuity

Returning to Work Safely

The next phase of lockdown began on 4th July. The latest Government guidance is here - Working safely during coronavirus (COVID-19) - to accompany announcements on what the situation will look like. The Government has put together an FAQ on what you can and cannot do in England here. Advice for Northern Ireland is here, advice for Scotland is here, and advice for Wales is here.

The government’s recovery plan sets out that you should go to work if you cannot work from home and your business has not been required to close by law.

Before returning to work, the government has set out 5 steps that businesses should take to ensure safe working.

In returning to work, the government has provided guidelines for workplaces

There is specific government advice on education and childcare you may want to review.

In the workplace, where possible, a 2m distance should be kept between people. This can be done by putting up signs or using floor tape to remind employees about the social distancing measures. Avoiding shared workstations. Arrange one-way traffic through the workplace.

Where it is not possible for people to be 2m apart, you should do everything possible to manage the risk of transmission. This can be done by using screens or barriers to separate people from each other. Staggering arrival and departure times. Reducing the number of people each person has contact with by using ‘fixed terms or partnering.’.

Have clear, consistent and regular communication with employees and service users to improve understanding and monitor any unforeseen impacts of changes to working environments.

St John’s Ambulance has produced a digital tool to help you find out how you can work safely during COVID-19.

Eversheds Sutherland, the law firm, has developed a business restoration planning checklist highlighting key areas to consider in returning to work.

Croner, a health and safety specialist, has developed a back to work guide for businesses.

Shielding the vulnerable

The government has updated its guidance for people who are shielding taking into account that coronavirus COVID-19 infection rates have decreased significantly over the last few weeks. This guidance remains advisory.

Plan and prepare

We advise everyone that it would be sensible to prepare and consider adjustments to your business plans with regard to the ongoing coronavirus outbreak. Consider the changes required to adjust to the current and future situation.

If you have public-facing premises then you may have to consider closing for a period of time, cancel planned events (such as outside broadcasts), or take action if staff are taken ill. We have an example community radio station action plan here.

Business Support

There is a useful eligibility checklist for Government-funded business support for coronavirus here (PDF, 44.9 KB).

Responding To The Crisis

Building Sustainability

COVID-19: support for businesses

The Chancellor has set out a package of temporary, timely and targeted measures to support public services, people and businesses through this period of disruption caused by COVID-19.

This includes a package of measures to support businesses including:

a Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme
deferring VAT and Self-Assessment payments
a Self-employment Income Support Scheme
a Statutory Sick Pay relief package for small and medium sized businesses (SMEs)
a 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
the Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme offering loans of up to £5 million for SMEs through the British Business Bank
a new 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
the HMRC Time To Pay Scheme

Check the business support website for answers to frequently asked questions.

Help from Your Local Council

Community media projects can consider contacting their local authority which will have an emergency team in place and will have a coordinating contact. Community radio stations and other community media organisations might consider liaising with their local council offices to see if they can assist with any local information and press releases.