Current situation:

• Schools in the UK closed their doors on 20 March 2020 except for vulnerable pupils or children of key workers.
• All UK bars, pubs, cafes and restaurants closed on 20 March 2020, along with nightclubs, theatres, gyms and leisure centres. A further list of shops and businesses that must close was announced on 23 March 2020.
• On 10 May, the Prime Minister announced that lockdown measures would continue, with some easing this week, and outlined the initial roadmap for lifting current restrictions.
• The reopening plans have been laid out in three phases:
  Phase 1: The Prime Minister said that people who cannot work from home should endeavor to go to work. People are now able to take unlimited exercise and use of parks for sport and recreation will be allowed as long as the public adhere to social distancing.
  Phase 2: This will address the phased reopening of non-essential retail and schools at the beginning of June.
  Phase 3: This will address the reopening of the hospitality industry and public places.
• On 12 May Chancellor Rishi Sunak announced the job retention scheme would be extended to October and confirmed that employees will continue to receive 80% of their monthly wages up to £2,500. But the Government will ask companies to “start sharing” the cost of the scheme from August onwards. Employers currently using the scheme would be able to bring furloughed employees back part-time.
• All non-essential shops can reopen in England from 15 June once they are COVID-19 secure.

Recovery:

The UK Government’s COVID-19 recovery strategy, HM Government

Working safely during COVID-19 in shops and branches, HM Government

Working safely during coronavirus, Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy

Getting your workplace ready for COVID-19, WHO

Help and information to keep people safe and healthy at work, Health and Safety Executive

COVID-19: returning to the workplace, CIPD

Social distancing for stores and warehouses, British Retail Consortium

Restoring retail confidence checklist, Cushman & Wakefield

Returning to work – Fire safety matters, London Fire Brigade

 

Support:

Business support finder, HM Government – Find out what support is available for your business.

Coronavirus Business Support, HM Government – Find out how to access the support that has been made available, who is eligible, when the schemes open and how to apply

Support for Businesses and Employers, London Growth Hub

Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme – FAQs for SMEs, British Business Bank

Job Retention scheme step by step guide for employers, HM Government

Furlough guide, CIPD

Claim for your employee’s wages through the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme, HM Government

Check if your employer can use the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme, HM Government

Business Rates – Expanded Retail Discount 2020/21: Coronavirus Response – Local Authority Guidance, Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government

Support for those affected by COVID-19, HM Treasury

Support for Businesses, HM Government

Support if you cannot pay your tax bill on time, HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC)

Emergency fund established for community and voluntary sector, Mayor of London

Scheme to support the UK’s self-employed, HM Government

 

Advice and guidelines:

Central hub with advice and guidance for employers, CIPD

FAQ for employers, CIPD

Business and continuity planning, London Growth Hub

How to negotiate a rent holiday, London Growth Hub

Terminating and renegotiating existing commercial contracts, London Growth Hub

Guidance for Employers and Businesses on Coronavirus, Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy/Public Health England

Poster for employers and businesses, Public Health England

What you need to know, Public Health Matters

Coronavirus infromation for businesses, residents and how to help, Westminster City Council

Webinars on employment law topics and employment relations, Acas

COVID-10 information leaflet, UK Government

Coronavirus Reference Scenario, Office for Budget Responsibility

Security:

Business lockdown checklist, The Retailer

Crime prevention tips, Met Police Business Crime Hub

Six top tips for securing your shop, Safer Business Network

Security and staff safety advice for Pharmacies, The Metropolitan Police

Video conferencing – Using services securely, National Cyber Security Centre

Guidance on good personnel security, CPNI

How to protect yourself against Coronavirus scams, National Trading Standards – Scams Team

Advisory: COVID-19 exploited by malicious cyber actors, National Cyber Security Centre

Covid-19 related Fraud Risk, Fraud Advisory Panel

Mandate fraud guidance, Government Counter Fraud Function

A message to businesses in Westminster, from Head of Neighbourhood Policing for Central West Basic Command Unit, Superintendent Mark Lawrence

 

Hospitality:

Resources and support for the hospitality industry, Code

Why most businesses can’t claim for Coronavirus losses, Big Hospitality

How to deal with your employees during COVID-19, UK Hospitality

Advice for licensed premises in the night time economy,  Night Time Economy Solutions

Coronavirus: Essential employee factsheet, Big Hospitality