Coronavirus: Tourism Industry Update
Please follow the news reports and for latest advice regularly visit the Public Health Wales website and the Business Wales website
BULLETIN CONTENTS - Hospitality Guidance and resources for download, Coronavirus loan schemes and Future Fund extended to 31 January 2021, Welsh Government challenge for innovative ideas in response to coronavirus pandemic, Recovery Advice for Business, EU Transition, COVID-19 UK Tourism Consumer Tracker Survey, Deferred July 2020 Self Assessment Payment on Account, HMRC: Do you have employees working from home because of COVID-19? I’m A Celebrity…Get Me Out Of Here.
Hospitality Guidance and resources for download
Hospitality re-opening (pubs, bars, cafés and restaurants) - mitigating guidance for Wales post- firebreak is available online. It has been produced and updated in consultation with the Hospitality sector for Pubs, Bars, Cafes and Restaurants re-opening indoors and outdoors.
There are Keep Wales Safe resources available for you to use on your own social media and websites, to help give information to customers. They include GIFs, videos, and banners as well as 3 videos on hospitality, pubs and restaurants.
Coronavirus loan schemes and Future Fund extended to 31 January 2021
The schemes listed below have been extended to 31 January 2021:
- the Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme (CBILS)
- the Coronavirus Large Business Interruption Loan Scheme (CLBILS)
- the Bounce Back Loan Scheme (BBLS) – and the Future Fund
Visit the Business Wales website for more details.
Welsh Government challenge for innovative ideas in response to coronavirus pandemic
The Welsh Government is making funding available to support businesses with innovative products and services that will help communities and the public sector adapt to the ongoing impact of the coronavirus pandemic.
The Small Business Research Initiative (SBRI), which can offer up to £50,000 to promising projects able to start in January 2021 and complete by the end of March, will also be important for schemes that can support the public sector after the EU Transition period. Businesses have until 12pm on 27 November 2020 to submit their ideas. Read the announcement in full on Gov.Wales.
Recovery Advice for Business
Access free support from experts and help your business recover from the impact of Coronavirus. The Professional and Business Services Sector and Enterprise Nation, supported by the Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy, have teamed up to offer small and medium sized businesses free advice to help them recover from the impact of Coronavirus. This offer will be available until 31 December 2020. Read more on the Business Wales website.
EU Transition
The Minister for Economy, Transport and North Wales, Ken Skates, has issued a letter to assist businesses which are not yet fully prepared for changes which will occur and affect business operations from 1 January 2021. In brief the letter outlines the support available to businesses to assist them through the EU transition period and beyond. If you are engaged in trade with the EU, it will be important to consider how these changes might affect your business. Read the letter in its entirety here.
COVID-19 UK Tourism Consumer Tracker Survey
Visit Wales continues to collaborate with VisitBritain and VisitScotland in running a UK consumer tracker. The fortnightly UK findings, covering 26-30 October (Wave 18) can be found on the VisitBritain website.
The survey took place just before the month-long lockdown in England was announced. The findings indicate that 15% of adults have been on a U.K. overnight trip since the start of September, with seven in ten (69%) of these being holidays. Wales was the destination for 8% of these holidays, lower during the summer period.
Deferred July 2020 Self Assessment Payment on Account
HMRC has identified that some Self Assessment customers, who chose to defer payment of their July 2020 Payment on account due to COVID-19, may receive a Self Assessment statement, showing that payment is due and interest is accruing. HMRC have confirmed that they will not impose any late payment interest or penalties on the deferred July 2020 Payment on Account, provided it is paid in full by 31 January 2021. Visit the Business Wales website for more details.
HMRC: Do you have employees working from home because of COVID-19?
If you have asked your employees to work at home because of COVID-19 then they may have additional expenses. If you’ve not reimbursed your employees, they can claim tax relief on £6 per week or £26 per month for these extra costs. If they want to claim more, they must provide HMRC with evidence to support their claim. You can find more details on the Business Wales website.
I’m A Celebrity…Get Me Out Of Here!
As the new series of the prime time show airs this Sunday, we’re looking forward to seeing the stunning landscapes of Wales featured and Gwyrch Castle near Abergele in Conwy (this year’s location) looking magnificent. The programme will help to raise awareness of Wales across the UK and hopefully inspire the planning of future visits for 2021 and beyond.
Creative Wales has been working closely with the production team for this year’s I’m A Celebrity...Get Me Out Of Here!, to assist with preparation and also to advise cast and crew on following Welsh Government guidance to Keep Wales Safe. Filming, as work, can continue in Wales providing there is full compliance with Welsh law and that includes a legal obligation to take all reasonable measures to maintain physical distancing in the workplace.
Gwrych Castle welcomed Ant and Dec this week and the series begins on ITV One this Sunday (15 November).
Useful COVID-19 information
As each premises is different, businesses should read all guidance to understand the measures to be considered to re-open the business safely. These continue to be updated so please check back regularly for the latest information.
Stay up to date with tourism industry news
We are committed to providing the support and assurance the business community needs during these unprecedented difficult times and have issued several Coronavirus (COVID-19) related bulletins which can be found on the Tourism Industry Coronavirus (COVID-19) Bulletins page.
Business Wales is providing businesses with tailored support and advice about dealing with coronavirus, from financial and supply chain planning to advice on staffing issues. We would advise Tourism businesses and stakeholders in Wales wanting specific guidance to visit the Business Wales website or call Business Wales helpline on 03000 6 03000, and to regularly visit the Public Health Wales website for up-to-date public health information for you, your staff and your visitors.
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