Latest updates for Southwark businesses affected by COVID-19
Southwark Council sent this bulletin at 03-07-2020 04:09 PM BST
Welcome to this latest update for Southwark businesses affected by COVID-19.
This bulletin has guidance for businesses reopening tomorrow and an important announcement about Southwark Stands Together. Please continue to share these updates with your local business networks.
For comprehensive information on available support check our business pages regularly.
Southwark Stands Together
Southwark is one of the most diverse boroughs in the country and it is our rich diversity, and the way our different communities, different ethnicities and different faiths, all live and work side by side, which makes our borough great. The disproportionate impact of COVID-19 on our residents who are from BAME communities, alongside recent tragic events in the USA and the anger they have caused, have been a huge wake-up call. We are asking businesses to join the council in standing together against racism and injustice (opens as a PDF), and to work with us to take positive action to ensure equality of opportunity and a fairer future for all.
Guidance for businesses re-opening on 4 July
From Saturday 4 July, some of the remaining businesses that have been required to close may open, including hair salons, restaurants, pubs and bars, and some leisure facilities. This will be accompanied by further changes to lockdown measures in England.
We know that lots of residents are excited about their favourite places reopening, but many also have concerns about a possible spike in COVID-19 cases and an increase in noise and antisocial behaviour as a result. Please help us to encourage considerate behaviour, and help keep customers and staff safe during reopening by downloading, printing and displaying these posters at your premises.
Businesses in the hospitality and leisure sectors, as well as ‘close contact’ services such as hairdressers, and places of worship should follow guidance on collecting details of staff, customers and visitors on their premises to support NHS Test and Trace.
Temporary changes to the licensing regime for outside tables and chairs are also coming into force to support the reopening of the hospitality industry. While there has been some delay in the legislation, we have published interim guidance for businesses who wish to apply for pavement licences under the new rules. Businesses using street furniture at the moment must ensure that the area used is cleared of litter and that the wellbeing of nearby residents are considered.
Keeping customers and staff safe
The government has produced guidance for employers on providing a safe environment for themselves, their employees and customers. The guidance covers different types of workplace including, pubs, restaurants and hairdressers.
This tool helps businesses to carry out a risk assessment and to identify the workplace adjustments that they should make.
TfL has produced guidelines to help Londoners travel safely to and from work.
Changes to the furlough scheme
From 1 July, changes to the furlough scheme have started to come into force meaning employers can now bring furloughed employees back to work for any amount of time and any shift pattern, while still being able to claim CJRS grant for the hours not worked. From 1 August, the amount you can claim will start to reduce, month on month. The scheme is due to end on 31 October.
Deadline for Self-Employment Income Support Scheme applications
If you are self-employed or a member of a partnership who has lost income since March, and have not yet made a first claim to the Self-Employment Income Support Scheme you have until 13 July to make a claim. After this date you will still be able to make a claim but only for loss of income occurring from 14 July onwards.
Thank you
Thank you for continuing to follow guidance through incredibly difficult circumstances and so helping to save lives. We remain available to help at SouthwarkBusinessDesk@southwark.gov.uk