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 - Self-isolation support payment increased to £750; Changes to self-isolation for fully-vaccinated adults; If visitors staying in accommodation in Wales you feel unwell and experience any COVID-19 symptoms; Lateral Flow Tests for visitors to Wales; COVID-19 – how testing can help manage the risk to your business; Changes to Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme from 1 August 2021; Skills and Recruitment; New advice hub to help disabled people understand their rights at work; UKinbound Annual Convention 2021 Manchester 16 & 17 September (and virtual workshop 24 September); Coach Tourism Association Workshop & Membership; FSA publish new resources to support food businesses preparing for upcoming changes to allergen labelling; The impact of digital technology on Welsh tourism; Cyber security training package for charities and small businesses; Best practice for Gender Pay Gap reporting; 2021 Tour of Britain; Useful COVID-19 information.
Self-isolation support payment increased to £750
Following changes to the policy on self-isolation, the Welsh Government’s self-isolation support scheme will increase from £500 to £750.
The increase in the payment, will come into effect from the 7 August and will be reviewed by Ministers in three months. The payment is designed to breakdown some of the financial barriers faced by people who are told to isolate by the NHS Wales Test Trace Protect (TTP) service because they have tested positive, have symptoms of coronavirus or are a close contact who is not fully vaccinated.
The payment scheme, which has been extended until March 2022, helps support those who cannot work from home as well as parents and carers with children who have tested positive and are self-isolating. Visit the Business Wales website for more details.
Changes to self-isolation for fully-vaccinated adults
All adults who have been fully-vaccinated will no longer have to self-isolate if they are identified as close contacts of someone with coronavirus from 7 August, the First Minister has confirmed (29 July). Read the announcement in full on Gov.Wales.
If visitors staying in accommodation in Wales feel unwell and experience any COVID-19 symptoms:
They, and anyone travelling with them, (unless they are under 18 or have been fully vaccinated) must return home as quickly as possible, if well enough to do so. They must return home the most direct way and should not use public transport.
Lateral Flow Tests for visitors to Wales
Rapid lateral flow tests (LFTS) are for people who do not have coronavirus symptoms and are available from local collection points or ordered online for those who meet the eligibility criteria. Visitors to Wales are encouraged to take a test at home before travelling and to bring kits with them to continue testing while on holiday. Only those who have a negative test result and no symptoms of coronavirus should travel. We are not encouraging businesses to stock up on tests for their customers or guests.
Read more on getting tested and the role of Lateral flow and PCR tests.
COVID-19 – how testing can help manage the risk to your business
Regular, rapid COVID-19 testing is an essential part of helping us manage risks as we learn to live and work alongside the virus. Planning ahead can help to keep your staff, your customers and your business safe.
- Businesses with 10 or more employees who can’t work from home can get free rapid COVID-19 tests by joining the Welsh Government’s workplace testing programme.
- If your business has less than 10 employees who can’t work from home, your staff can order rapid self-test kits online or collect from their nearest collection point.
Visit the Business Wales website for more details.
A new toolkit to support businesses and organisations to help their workers get the COVID-19 vaccine is also available on Gov.Wales. The Welsh Government is encouraging employers to do all they can to support their workforce to get vaccinated.
Changes to Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme from 1 August 2021
The Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme has changed, from 1 August 2021 to 30 September 2021 (when the scheme closes), the UK Government will pay 60% of employees' usual wages for hours not worked, up to a cap of £1,875. Visit the Business Wales website for more details.
Skills and Recruitment
For information on support with recruiting and training staff please visit our Skills and Recruitment pages.
New advice hub to help disabled people understand their rights at work
A new advice hub has launched to help disabled people understand their employment rights at work.
The online hub, a joint partnership between the DBEIS and Acas, will provide clear advice to both disabled people and employers on employment rights – from discrimination in the workplace to reasonable adjustments. You can find more details on the Business Wales website.
UKinbound Annual Convention 2021 Manchester 16 & 17 September (and virtual workshop 24 September)
To support the wider inbound tourism industry in its recovery, UKinbound is opening bookings up to non-members for the first time for their annual convention (UKinbound members can enjoy preferential rates).
#UKiCon21 will feature a revamped, hybrid programme themed 'Build Back Better' that will include two days of topical industry discussions, inspirational keynotes, a themed networking evening, an extended B2B workshop, tailored content for buyers & suppliers, topical educational workshops and a fantastic range of familiarisation visits.
To maximise business opportunities for all attendees, as part of the event an additional virtual B2B workshop will be held on Friday 24 September, accompanied by exclusive virtual content including market seminars and national tourist board updates.
Visit the UKinbound website to find out more and book your place now (deadline 20 August).
Coach Tourism Association Workshop & Membership
Visit Wales is a partner member of The Coach Tourism Association which is running a Workshop and Networking event in Liverpool, 27-28 September.
New Welsh members are welcome, especially coach companies and group friendly hotels – find out more about membership and apply.
FSA publish new resources to support food businesses preparing for upcoming changes to allergen labelling
On 1 October 2021, the law on allergen labelling for pre-packed for direct sale (PPDS) foods will change. This means that any food business selling PPDS foods will have to include full ingredients on the product label with allergenic ingredients emphasised within that list. You can find more details on the Business Wales website.
The impact of digital technology on Welsh tourism
Of all industries, tourism has been hit the hardest during the COVID-19 pandemic. Welsh tourism has had a particularly rough time, with a parliamentary report stating it resulted in the immediate shutdown of 97% of businesses with 80% of staff being furloughed. Across the recent Easter bank holiday alone, it’s estimated that North Wales lost more than £100 million in revenue.
The COVID-19 outbreak has reshaped many areas of the tourism industry in Wales, but businesses shouldn’t wait for a pandemic to embrace the benefits of digital transformation. Superfast Business Wales continues to offer a host of free online workshops, backed up by a one-to-one meeting with a friendly Digital Business Adviser who can provide a tailored action plan to success. Visit the Superfast Business Wales website for more details.
Cyber security training package for charities and small businesses
Charities and small businesses have access to a free e-learning package that will boost their ability to defend against threats posed by cyber criminals.
The training, Cyber Security for Small Organisations and Charities, guides businesses through the actions they should take in order to dramatically reduce the risk of the most common cyber attacks, such as ransomware and phishing. You can find more details on the Business Wales website.
Best practice for Gender Pay Gap reporting
All organisations which employ 250 or more people must publish their gender pay gap data every year. Whilst employers have until 5 October 2021 to report data from 2020/21, business leaders are being urged to collate their data as soon as possible, so they can use this for meaningful action planning to address any gaps. Visit the Business Wales website for more details.
2021 Tour of Britain
The 2021 Tour of Britain takes place 5-12 September and includes two full stages in Wales. The race will go ahead subject to local conditions and in line with relevant national guidelines and UCI protocols. Businesses may wish to link their marketing and social media presence into the Tour:
- Stage three: Llandeilo to National Botanic Garden of Wales - Tuesday 7 September
- Stage four: Aberaeron to Great Orme, Llandudno - Wednesday 8 September
The free-to-watch event features Olympic, world and Tour de France champions, and attracts a roadside audience of over 1.5m spectators. The Tour is part of the UCI ProSeries, making it one of the most prestigious sporting events in the sport’s global calendar.
Useful COVID-19 information
As each premises is different, businesses should read all guidance. This continues 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.
|
