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: Applications open for emergency financial support from Economic Resilience Fund; Emergency Business Fund now open; Plan to ease alert level 2 protections announced; Alert level 2; COVID-19 Safety reminders; COVID-19: Employers duties on pregnancy and maternity; Automatic enrolment – workplace pension duties; Free Cyber Tool for Businesses – Police CyberAlarm; Joint Fisheries Statement; Be a frontline lifesaver. Become an RNLI lifeguard; Useful COVID-19 information.
Applications open for emergency financial support from Economic Resilience Fund
Businesses in Wales impacted by the rapid spread of the Omicron virus can now apply for emergency financial support from the Welsh Government’s Economic Resilience Fund (ERF). Read the announcement in full on Gov.Wales.
Economy Minister Vaughan Gething previously said £120 million would be available for retail, hospitality, leisure and tourism business and their supply chains affected by the move to alert level 2 announced by the First Minister on Wednesday 22 December.
Eligible businesses can apply for grants of between £2,500 to £25,000, with grants dependent on their size and number of employees.
Applications for this fund are now open and will close at 4pm on 1 February 2022.
Apply for Economic Resilience Fund support here: COVID-19 Support for Business.
Emergency Business Fund now open
Local Authorities will deliver a discretionary fund for businesses ineligible for Non Domestic Rates support with a turnover of less than £85,000 via a short application process. Sole traders, freelancers and taxi drivers will be able to apply for £1,000 and businesses that employ people can apply for £2,000. This funding is also available to freelancers in the creative sectors.
Visit the Business Wales website for more details.
Plan to ease alert level 2 protections announced
A plan to return Wales to alert level 0 measures was set out by First Minister Mark Drakeford on 14 January.
The phased plan sees measures on outdoor activity removed first as Wales gradually moves out of alert level 2 and fully back to alert level 0 from 28 January.
The full move to alert level 0 will be dependent on the public health situation continuing to improve.
Further details are also available on: Written Statement: Review of the Health Protection (Coronavirus Restrictions) (No.5) (Wales) Regulations 2020 (14 January 2022) | GOV.WALES.
Alert level 2
The measures that apply at alert level 2:
COVID-19 SAFETY REMINDERS:
Reasonable Measures to Minimise Coronavirus
Advice for businesses and organisations about reasonable measures to take to minimise the risk of coronavirus can be found on Gov.Wales.
Includes information on ventilation, limiting capacity, preventing crowding, cleanliness, noise levels and helping Test, Trace and Protect.
Keep Wales Safe at Work
When considering what you need to do to keep your workforce safe at work, visit the Business Wales website for detailed guidance, examples and resources.
NHS COVID Pass: promotional pack
Information on how businesses and event organisers must check the COVID-19 status of their customers is available on Gov.Wales.
The NHS COVID Pass: promotional pack can be downloaded from Gov.Wales. Businesses are encouraged to display and share these posters, images and videos to promote and explain the NHS COVID Pass.
COVID-19: Employers duties on pregnancy and maternity
Unless a pregnant employee needs adjustments to working conditions for health and safety or pregnancy related reasons, you should treat them the same as any other employees.
The Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) guidance offers simple do's and don'ts for employers to help them ensure they don't discriminate against those who are pregnant or on maternity leave.
Visit the Business Wales website for more details.
Automatic enrolment – workplace pension duties
Under the Pensions Act 2008, every employer in the UK must put certain staff into a workplace pension scheme and contribute towards it. This is called 'automatic enrolment'. If you employ at least one person you are an employer and you have certain legal duties.
It's important that you understand what to do and by when, so you can meet your automatic enrolment duties on time.
You can find more details on the Business Wales website.
Free Cyber Tool for Businesses – Police CyberAlarm
The Police CyberAlarm is a free tool to help your business understand and monitor malicious cyber activity. Police CyberAlarm acts as a “CCTV camera” monitoring the traffic seen by your businesses’ connection to the internet. It will detect and provide regular reports of suspected malicious activity, enabling your business to minimise your vulnerabilities.
Visit the Business Wales website for more details.
Joint Fisheries Statement
Welsh Government is seeking your views on the draft Joint Fisheries Statement (JFS).
Consultation ends: 12 April 2022.
This consultation has particular relevance to:
- Individuals, groups, or businesses who are engaged in the fishing, seafood, or aquaculture sectors
- Other individuals, groups or businesses who are sea users, for example, marine industries such as oil and gas, offshore renewables and sailing bodies
- National and local interest groups such as environmental and recreational non-governmental organisations, and industry federations
Further details are available on: Joint Fisheries Statement | GOV.WALES.
Be a frontline lifesaver. Become an RNLI lifeguard
Are you a keen water person looking for a summer job with like-minded people? Want to work outdoors at some of the most beautiful locations in Wales?
2021 was one of the RNLI’s busiest seasons ever and in preparations for another busy year, the RNLI are currently recruiting for RNLI beach lifeguard positions across the country. For more information visit the RNLI website.
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.
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Stay up to date with tourism industry news
Take a look at our latest Visit Wales industry newsletters and bulletins: Tourism Newsletter/Bulletin | Business Wales (gov.wales)
These include the latest tourism industry news from Wales and information for the industry on Coronavirus (COVID-19).
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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