Coronavirus - Business Information
Operating safely after 19 July
From Monday 19 July, COVID-19 measures will be eased. Remaining legal restrictions on social gatherings and events will be removed and all businesses will be allowed to open.
However, COVID has not gone away – restrictions are changing, but there are still risks from COVID. After 19 July, people and businesses will need to make informed decisions about how they manage the risk to themselves and others.
To help businesses operate safely, the Government has produced guidance on the steps organisations should take to manage risks in their workplace or setting:
Key points for businesses to consider are:
- Ensure a health and safety risk assessment is carried out which covers COVID-19 – remember that organisations still have a legal requirement to manage risks to those affected by their business.
- Encourage people to use the QR Test & Trace system – whilst this will no longer be a legal requirement, it will support the NHS in tracing those that have been exposed to COVID-19.
- Do not allow those who have COVID-19 symptoms or should be self-isolating to enter your premises – you should ensure staff who have symptoms or are self-isolating do not come into work.
- Continue with good hygiene practices – provide hand sanitiser and encourage staff and customers to use it and wash their hands regularly.
- Provide adequate ventilation and, where possible, allow fresh air into premises by opening windows and doors.
- Although face coverings will no longer be required by law, the government still expects and recommends that people wear them in crowded areas
Tourism and hospitality businesses may also want to consider the visit Britain 'We’re Good To Go' Scheme, to signal that your business is following national and industry guidelines.
Working from home
The Government is no longer instructing people to work from home from 19 July, so employers can start to plan a return to workplaces. However, the Government expects and recommends a gradual return over the summer.
Regular testing
Regular testing helps to identify cases in people who don’t have symptoms and may be unknowingly spreading the virus to other people. Rapid COVID-19 tests are available to everyone for free and can be collected from local pharmacies or ordered online.
Need support?
If you have questions on how to operate safely now restrictions have lifted, contact us at regulatory.covid@bcpcouncil.gov.uk or get in touch with Public Health Dorset at publichealth-enquiries@dorsetcouncil.gov.uk.
For more information on how to manage risk and conduct risk assessments, visit www.hse.gov.uk/simple-health-safety/risk/index.htm
Conference organisers and delegates, please check directly with any venues for up-to-date information.
Visit the official UK government website for the latest information on the coronavirus outbreak and advice for travellers, or take a look at the frequently asked questions on coronavirus on the National Health Service (NHS) website
If you’d like to discuss hosting a business event in Bournemouth and the surrounding areas for 2021 and beyond, please contact our tourism events team at events@bcpcouncil.gov.uk
Further Government Advice & Resources
The Government Business & Industry Page is a great source of information with guidance advice, regulation and general new updates. From here you can navigate to more specific areas of interest.
A one stop shop for Government advice and financial support and see what financial support is available for your business.
