Published 05 August 2020
Here is a summary of the latest Government guidance updates relevant to Businesses or your employees.
As we see the potential for a second wave starting to feature in sound bytes from Government and with the changes in travel advice and restrictions ever-present, the landscape and environment we all have to manage in now is becoming more complex. As Furlough or the Job Retention scheme runs down, business leaders have some difficult and challenging decisions to make as the balance of costs and revenue need to addressed.
You are not alone, Park City continues to review and interpret guidance from Government and present to you what you need to know. In addition, our HR teams are supporting redundancy and resource restructuring programmes for many, all benefiting from our professional teams’ sensitive but commercially minded approach, creating that emotional gap where required for business leaders. Our Health and Safety team are supporting businesses owners to return to work safely and those who are already operational or never stopped, we are reviewing arrangements to ensure that COVID-19 guidelines are being followed.
Here are the latest Government updates this week. Sorry, It’s a long list of Business relevant updates.
North of England: local restrictions
Summary
Find out what you can and cannot do if you live, work or travel in areas of the north of England.
Change made
Added that children of parents who are separated can move between households while the restrictions are in place.
Time updated
2:21pm, 4 August 2020
Please give me space’ social distancing cards or badges
Summary
Optional badges that can be used to show the carrier may have difficulties or concerns in maintaining social distancing.
Change made
First published.
Time updated
11:48am, 4 August 2020
COVID-19: guidance for households with possible coronavirus infection
Summary. This is beneficial to issue to all staff
Stay at home guidance for households with possible coronavirus (COVID-19) infection.
Change made
Updated easy read version with changes to self-isolation period.
Time updated
11:12am, 4 August 2020
Help and support if your business is affected by coronavirus (COVID-19)
Summary
Watch videos and register for the free webinars to learn more about the support available to help you deal with the economic impacts of coronavirus.
Change made
A YouTube video about the Eat Out to Help Out Scheme has been added.
Time updated
8:51am, 4 August 2020
Register your establishment for the Eat Out to Help Out Scheme
Summary
Find out how to register your restaurant or establishment for the Eat Out to Help Out Scheme.
Change made
Businesses in England, Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland are eligible to register for the scheme.
Time updated
4:55pm, 3 August 2020
Closing certain businesses and venues in England
Summary
Guidance on the closure of certain businesses and venues as part of further social distancing measures, and on the further easing of coronavirus (COVID-19) restrictions in July and August 2020.
Change made
Updated to reflect additional requirements on face coverings and amendments to 1 August 2020 easings.
Time updated
3:57pm, 3 August 2020
£20 million to improve small business leadership and problem-solving skills in the wake of coronavirus
Summary
Two new leadership programmes to help small business leaders grow their companies in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic have been launched today (3 August).
Change made
First published.
Time updated
3:03pm, 3 August 2020
PPE portal: how to order emergency personal protective equipment
Summary
Healthcare providers can order additional personal protective equipment (PPE) through the portal to top up their existing supplies for COVID-19 in an emergency.
Change made
Added pharmacies and larger social care providers to the categories of provider that are invited to order from the portal. Update to the amount of visors that GPs, domiciliary care providers and residential care homes can order. The customer service team opening hours are now 7am to 7pm.
Time updated
10:00am, 3 August 2020
Coronavirus: MOTs for HGVs, buses and trailers
Summary
You can book an HGV, bus or trailer annual test (MOT) – the deadline to get the test done depends on when the MOT was originally due.
Change made
Added information about 12-month exemptions that are being applied from 24 August 2020.Updated the table to include dates for 12-month and 3-month exemptions.
Time updated
9:54am, 3 August 2020
COVID-19: Guidance for managing playgrounds and outdoor gyms
Summary
Guidance for owners and operators of playgrounds and outdoor gyms to enable their use while minimising the transmission risk of coronavirus (COVID-19).
Change made
Updated to reflect additional requirements on face coverings.
Time updated
9:28am, 3 August 2020
Job Retention Scheme:
Check if you can claim for your employees’ wages through the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme
Summary
Find out if you’re eligible and how much you can claim to cover wages for employees on temporary leave (‘furlough’) due to coronavirus (COVID-19).
Change made
The information call out has been updated to tell employers about changes to the scheme from 1 Aug 2020. New section added on the maximum number of employees you can claim for. Information about the minimum furlough period removed throughout and from the section on minimum furlough periods.
Time updated
9:13am, 3 August 2020
Individuals you can claim for who are not employees
Summary
Find out if you can claim through the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme for individuals who are not employees.
Change made
Page updated to tell employers about changes to the rules from 1 August 2020.
Time updated
9:13am, 3 August 2020
Calculate how much you can claim using the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme
Summary
Calculate how much you have to pay your furloughed employees for hours on furlough, how much you can claim for employer NICs and pension contributions and how much you can claim back.
Change made
Deleted information about claim periods ending on or before 30 June 2020 and information about backdating claims to 1 March, as this is no longer possible.
Time updated
9:13am, 3 August 2020
Check which employees you can put on furlough to use the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme
Summary
Find out which employees you can put on furlough and claim for through the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme.
Change made
The information call out has been updated to tell employers about changes to the scheme from 1 August 2020. Out of date eligibility criteria removed about RTI submissions before 19 March, contracts expiring before 19 March 2020, consolidating PAYE schemes after 28 Feb, TUPE transfers after 28 Feb. Sections ‘If your employee is working reduced hours’, ‘If you made employees redundant or they stopped working for you on or after 28 Feb 2020’, ‘If you made employees redundant or they stopped working for you on or after 19 March 2020’ removed. Section ‘If your employee is shielding’ and ‘If your employee has caring responsibilities’.
Time updated
9:13am, 3 August 2020
Please remember to contact Park City’s team if you are in any doubt about how to interpret or apply the guidance in your business environment, our team have built up extensive knowledge and experience since March 23rd for COVID-19 related issues for HR and Health and Safety, we are here to help you. Call us on 01206 752100 or ask for a consultation.
