We are now in a period of national lockdown. To reduce social contact, the regulations require some businesses to close and impose restrictions on how some businesses provide goods and services.

The government has published the 'COVID-19 Response - Spring 2021' setting out the roadmap out of the current lockdown for England. This explains how the restrictions will be lifted over time.

Check lockdown restrictions.

Check here to find out if your business or venue can open.

If your business is permitted to open you must follow the Government Working Safely Guidance for your sector (click on the drop-down menu below) and complete a Covid-19 Risk Assessment just as you would for other health and safety hazards. You may need to use more than one of these guides as you think through what you need to do to keep people safe.

The full range of guidance is available at gov.uk/guidance/working-safely-during-coronavirus-covid-19

This downloadable Covid-19 toolkit and risk assessment template and intended to help you get your business ready to re-start during the Covid-19 pandemic:

• Covid-19 toolkit

•  Risk Assessment Template for Small and Lower Risk Businesses [23kb]

These documents are not exhaustive and should be used in conjunction with Government guidance and general advice (links below). You will also need to consider any other needs which may be specific to your business. 

Test and Trace requirements for business

The NHS COVID-19 app launched on 24 September and helps businesses meet new legal requirements.

It is a legal requirement for certain businesses (see link below) to display the QR code poster so customers can check in with the app on their mobile phone.  Businesses must also have an alternative check-in method to collect the contact details of those who don't have the app, for example a handwritten register.

• Create and download your venue-specific NHS QR poster  
• Further information on test and trace  

It is a legal requirement for employers to not knowingly allow an employee who has been told to self-isolate to come into work or work anywhere other than their own home for the duration of their self-isolation period.  Further information on Test and Trace in the Workplace at  https://www.gov.uk/guidance/nhs-test-and-trace-workplace-guidance

Here are some useful posters you may wish to download and display at your premises to help staff and customers:

•  FACE COVERING COVID POSTER [191kb]
•  Outdoor shop poster [230kb]
•  Indoor shop poster [228kb]
•  Please do not enter if you have symptoms [237kb]