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Small businesses – re-opening post-lockdown

27 May 2020

The government has published its document fleshing out prime minister Johnson’s nationwide address, which goes deeper into its strategy to help reopen small business.

By July, the government would like to see remaining small businesses that have been forced to close, including hairdressers and beauty salons, pubs and hotels and cinemas also reopen. But any phased re-opening of small businesses will be reversed if the rate of coronavirus infection creeps back upwards – as is already being seen in Germany and South Korea, which have loosened up their own lockdowns.

From Wednesday, May 13, workers who cannot work from home, such as those in construction or manufacturing, are encouraged to back to work providing they avoid public transport. Sectors specifically mentioned in the government’s 50-page Our Plan to Rebuild document include food production, construction, manufacturing, logistics, distribution and scientific research in laboratories. And the government will be advising businesses how to prepare for customers with social distancing measures in place. The government has published documents covering eight business sectors setting out what small business owners can do to ensure their businesses protect employees and customers against Covid-19.   They call this being “Covid-19 secure” and small businesses can display badging that they have followed guidance. Partly it is a reassurance exercise for employees and customers. The eight business sectors covered are: 

  1. Construction and other outdoor work
  2. Factories, plants and warehouses
  3. Labs and research facilities
  4. Offices and contact centres
  5. Other people’s homes
  6. Restaurants offering takeaway and delivery
  7. Shops and branches
  8. Vehicles 

5 key points for your small business:

  • Work from home, if you can
  • Carry out a Covid-19 risk assessment
  • Help staff maintain 2 metres social distancing
  • Manage transmission risk where people cannot sit 2 metres apart
  • Reinforcing cleaning processes