Track and Trace: Important Update
From Friday 18th September it will be mandatory for certain businesses to log ALL customer and visitor details, in order to assist the NHS Test and Trace system.
This supersedes the previous approach to customer detail logging, where a single lead contact was encouraged to provide details on behalf of a larger group.
Any customer data will need to be be kept securely, within GDPR guidelines, for 21 days.
Further 'Mandatory Actions' for businesses around Track and Trace
As well as asking all customers and visitors to provide contact details, certain designated venues will have a legal duty display an official NHS QR code poster, so that customers and visitors can use the unique QR code to check into that venue using the NHS COVID-19 app.
NHS Covid-19 app
The NHS COVID-19 app will launch on Thursday 24th September, just after it becomes mandatory for businesses to collect details of all those visiting premises.
There will be a wider national campaign to encourage people to download the app.
How businesses can prepare for app launch
Businesses can:
- Click 'NHS QR Poster' link below now, in order to produce their unique QR poster in advance, ready for printing and display once it becomes mandatory on 24th September.
- Actively encourage people to download the NHS COVID-19 app once it becomes available. If individual customers choose to check-in using the QR code and app combination, then the business doesn’t also need to take name or contact details separately.
- Businesses with multiple venues will need to produce a separate poster for each.
- It is a businesses responsibility to produce their unique poster.
How the QR code posters work
Once a business has been online and produced their QR code poster (link above) which is unique to their venue, visitors are asked by the business on arrival to scan the QR code using the NHS COVID-19 app. This is to help trace and stop the spread of coronavirus and is much quicker then relaying all the required logging details to a host in a bar or restaurant for example.
More information on Track and Track available via our 'Open for Business' webpage.
Stopping business evictions
The government's Communities Secretary Robert Jenrick announced yesterday, that businesses will be protected from the threat of eviction until the end of 2020.
The move will help those businesses most in need of additional support to remain in their premises without the threat of eviction for the rest of this year, giving them the chance to focus on rebuilding their business over the autumn and Christmas period.
Click 'More info' below to read the full release.
Rule of Six
People are no longer permitted to meet with others socially in groups of more than 6.
This applies to both indoor and outdoor settings, including in private and is now enforceable in law.
This new rule is likely to have a significant impact on Pubs, Cafes and Restaurants in Broxtowe.
All those establishments are advised to continue operating on a booking only basis where possible, to both reduce the risk of queues from walk-ins and help provide details to inform the Track and Track system. All Customer/Visitor detail logging becomes mandatory tomorrow.
It is also a businesses responsibility to ensure different groups that may know each other do not mix whilst on their premises. The use of screens and seating known groups well apart is also advised to achieve this.
The maximum group size of 6 will not apply to individual households or support bubbles of more than 6, who will still be able to gather together.
Guidance on Car Sharing
The government have published guidance on safer travel, which includes information on car sharing, as well as traveling on other forms of transport when commuting.
Businesses can help control coronavirus by encouraging other forms of safe travel to work for their employees, such as walking and cycling. Where this is not possible and the use of public transport or driving is required, commuters can help control coronavirus by:
- working safely - this may be working from home, or within the workplace if COVID-secure guidelines are followed closely
- observing social contact rules
- washing or sanitising hands regularly
- keeping their distance when travelling, where possible
- avoiding the busiest routes, as well as busy times like the rush hour
Businesses can access and share this travel guidance with their employees, by clicking 'Travel Info' below
Hands. Face. Space
The ‘Hands. Face. Space’ public information campaign urges the public to continue to wash their hands, cover their face and make space to control infection rates and avoid a second peak.
During the autumn and winter months, as more people would typically prefer to spend more time indoors, especially when accessing goods, services and socialising; it is vitally important this new campaign is shared to spread the important messages on how to keep others safe.
Hands
While coronavirus is not likely to survive for long periods of time on outdoor surfaces in sunlight, it can live for more than 24 hours in indoor environments. Washing your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, or using hand sanitiser, regularly throughout the day will reduce the risk of catching or passing on the virus.
Face
Coronavirus is carried in the air by tiny respiratory droplets that carry the virus. Larger droplets can land on other people or on surfaces they touch while smaller droplets, called aerosols, can stay in the air indoors for at least 5 minutes, and often much longer if there is no ventilation. Face coverings reduce the dispersion of these droplets, meaning if you’re carrying the virus you’re less likely to spread it when you exhale.
Space
Transmission of the virus is most likely to happen within 2 metres, with risk increasing exponentially at shorter distances. While keeping this exact distance isn’t always possible, remaining mindful of surroundings and continuing to make space has a powerful impact when it comes to containing the spread.
Helping raise awareness of Hands.Face.Space
Businesses can now download and print posters available on our 'Open for Business' webpage, to display in their windows and inside premises to promote the campaign and by extension, compliance of the rules for visiting businesses.
Businesses can also request pre-printed copies from our Town Center Information officers Janice and Zahid during their high street visits.
Town Centre Information Officers
Janice and Zahid have been visiting businesses in the high street this week, to ensure all remain compliant with Covid-Secure trading guidelines and updating applicable businesses on the newly published 'Priority Actions' from government.
Mandatory Track and Trace for businesses
If you have not yet prepared your businesses for collecting customer details for the NHS Track and Trace system, speak to Janice or Zahid for further assistance. Alternatively, visit our Open For Business webpage for more details.
Update on the work our officers are doing
Other measures our Town Centre Information Officers have helped businesses introduce since June include:
- Maximum capacity in premises (to give customers plenty of space)
- Mandatory face coverings worn by staff (including help with supplies)
- Leave space, face covering and clean hands reminder posters in shop windows
- Hand sanitiser and hand washing facilities (where possible)
- Track and trace processes
- General advice and guidance
Business visits
Businesses can arrange appointments directly to see either Town Centre Information Officer to discuss trading COVID-securely by emailing:
Zahid.Javed@broxtowe.gov.uk - For Beeston Businesses
Janice.Owen@broxtowe.gov.uk - For Eastwood, Kimberley and Stapleford Businesses
Alternative give either Janice or Zahid a wave when you see them in town, to beckon them into your shop!
Priority Actions for some businesses
Businesses from the following list have seen updates to their official government guidance for operating Covid-securely:
In order to assist businesses, the government has published a simplified list of 'Priority Actions' for all the above settings and these actions are in addition to the previously published guidance packs.
If your business has not reviewed their respective guidance for remaining open COVID-Securely since the 8th September, there a number of amendments your business must now read.
There are also further actions that some of those businesses must implement in anticipation of law changes, including mandatory Test and Trace data collection.
You can access the latest guidance packs with updates and Priority Actions, via the link below and selecting your businesses type.
Council Services During Coronavirus
The Council is sharing regular updates about affected Council services at https://www.broxtowe.gov.uk/coronavirus
You can also get updates on our social media accounts.
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