The CBI has compiled guidance for businesses like yours across a number of frequently asked questions. Understand more about how your business can respond and what support is available to you.
13 Oct 2020, 2 min read
In these frequently asked questions, find guidance across a range of topics and issues including:
- Government and financial support
- Emergency legislation and local restrictions
- Employment
- Meetings, travel and events
- Cleaning and health in the workplace
- Supply chain
This best practice advice is up to date as of 13 October 2020.
General
What are the most useful things that all businesses in the UK can do to prepare for coronavirus?
- Ensure governance and HR teams are familiar with government advice for employers
- Continue having a designated team to manage the response, with representatives from finance, HR, legal, governance, commercial and any international offices
- Communicate with employees in a calm fashion, providing government advice as relevant for your business
- Reach out to the CBI to communicate any specific concerns or impacts of coronavirus on your company, for communication to the government’s response teams
- Check your firm has considered all the questions on the below Frequently Asked Questions and takes proportionate actions to manage coronavirus.
When communicating with employees, what is the best approach?
- Focusing on practical, new information is important – with so much information out there, focus on the changes that are most relevant to your employees and ensure it is up to date
- Tailor information to the circumstances of individual employees where possible, for example ensuring information is appropriate for individuals’ geographies or isolation statuses
- Prioritise employees’ wellbeing in communication, ensuring they are reassured and that they have a mechanism with which to communicate any discomfort they may have, so that concerns are well understood and listened to
- Further advice on communicating with employees is available from CIPR here
- If you have temporarily closed down your business, do consider how you can support the maintenance of communication routes between employees to help them manage their mental health
- The CBI has produced a webinar which covers how businesses can support the mental health of their staff during the pandemic
- The government have also created general guidance for the public on mental health and wellbeing during coronavirus.
What can businesses do to help?
- Business’ first priority should be to their employees. The rest of this guidance covers how best to support them
- However, businesses have a role to play in helping government and society manage this crisis if they can. Every company should be asking ‘how can we help?’
- Visit the 'how you can help' tab on this site for ideas on what your business can do
- The full range of ways that companies can help can be found on the CBI’s dedicated webpage here.
Government and financial support
Where can I find details about the financial support available for my business?
- You can find information about the different financial support schemes, and see which ones your business is eligible for, here
- The government have created a coronavirus business support finder tool. By completing a simple questionnaire, the tool will signpost you to relevant government financial support available.
What support can I receive as a small business?
- For all businesses, Q1 VAT payments have been deferred with immediate effect there will be no payments between now and the end of June. On 24 September 2020, the Chancellor announced that businesses who deferred VAT due from 20 March to 30 June 2020 will now have the option to pay in smaller payments over a longer period. Instead of paying the full amount by the end of March 2021, you can make smaller payments up to the end of March 2022, interest free.
- You will need to opt-in to the scheme, and for those who do, this means that your VAT liabilities due between 20 March and 30 June 2020 do not need to be paid in full until the end of March 2022.
- Those that can pay their deferred VAT can still do so by 31 March 2021.
- All businesses that have outstanding tax liabilities as a result of cashflow issues can request extra help through HMRC’s Time to Pay system. Government advice is here and a dedicated helpline has been launched on 0800 015 9559.
- For small retail, leisure and hospitality businesses, the Business Rates retail discount in England has been raised to 100% for the 12 months of 2020-21 for all retail properties, and retail properties that have a rateable value of below £51,000 will also be eligible for a grant of up to £25,000 distributed by local authorities. Guidance can be found here. This has been updated to include other settings such as estate agents, lettings agencies and bingo halls.
- From the week of 23 March, small firms (up to £45m in turnover) will be able to apply for a loan facility of up to £5million with no interest payable for the first 12 months. This is called the Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme (CBILS) and it will offers firms both interest and fee-free loans via one of the following financial products: an overdraft, a term loan, invoice finance or asset finance. To access these loans, businesses should contact their banks or finance providers directly. You can find the CBI summary of the scheme here, or full details are available from the British Business Bank.
- From 4 May, small businesses will be able to access a new Bounce Back Loan. The scheme will enable businesses to borrow between £2,000 and £50,000, loan terms will be up to 6 years. No repayments will be due during the first 12 months. The government will work with lenders to agree a low rate of interest for the remaining period of the loan. You can also find out more in the CBI factsheet here.
- The CBI has also produced a webinar which shows you how to access the Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme here.
- From early April, all businesses in receipt of Small Business Rates relief and Rural Rates Relief will also be eligible to receive a £10,000 cash grant. These will be distributed through Local Authorities and details can be found here and here. Businesses should anticipate Local Authorities getting in touch with them regarding this in early April. You can also find out more information about the Small Business Grants Fund (SBGF) and Retail, Hospitality and Leisure Grant Fund (RHLGF) in the following guidance. In order to apply to for a Local Authority Grant you need to have your Business Rates Reference Number. If that paperwork has been filed away at a premises that can't be accessed, you can locate your number remotely More details on this fund can be accessed here.
- Small businesses will also be able to reclaim Statutory Sick Pay paid for sickness absence due to coronavirus, for up to 2 weeks of an employee’s salary. The rebate mechanism for this is being developed at present, and more information on eligibility can be found here.
- Extra advice can be found on the governments dedicated Business Support website. The website also has a very useful FAQs section which can be found There is also a helpline if you are unable to find the advice you need on 0300 456 3565, and UK Finance has a dedicated coronavirus hub here.
- From 15 July 2020 until 12 January 2021, VAT reduction will be applied on tourism and hospitality related activities reduced from 20% to 5% to support businesses and jobs in the hospitality sector, the reduced (5%) rate of VAT will apply to supplies of food and non-alcoholic drinks from restaurants, pubs, bars, cafés and similar premises across the UK. Further guidance can be found here, alongside further information on registering for ‘Eat Out to Help Out’ here.
- Guidance on how to access free business advice for small firms can be found here.
What support can I receive as a large business?
- For all businesses, Q1 VAT payments have been deferred with immediate effect.
- On 24 September 2020, the Chancellor announced that businesses who deferred VAT due from 20 March to 30 June 2020 will now have the option to pay in smaller payments over a longer period. Instead of paying the full amount by the end of March 2021, you can make smaller payments up to the end of March 2022, interest free.
- You will need to opt-in to the scheme, and for those who do, this means that your VAT liabilities due between 20 March and 30 June 2020 do not need to be paid in full until the end of March 2022.
- Those that can pay their deferred VAT can still do so by 31 March 2021.
- All businesses that have outstanding tax liabilities as a result of cashflow issues can request extra help through HMRC’s Time to Pay system. A dedicated helpline has been launched on 0800 015 9559
- For retail, leisure and hospitality businesses, the Business Rates retail discount in England has been raised to 100% for the 12 months of 2020-21 for all retail properties. Guidance can be found here. This also now includes estate agents, lettings agencies and bingo halls
- The Bank of England has a new lending facility for large businesses experiencing severe short-term disruption to cashflows – the Covid Corporate Financing Facility. Companies that need £5m or more will be able to contact their existing bank to request commercial paper under the Bank of England scheme. Initially available for 12 months, the CCFF will provide funding to business by purchasing commercial paper of up to one-year maturity, issued by companies that make a material contribution to economic activity in the UK. This will cover UK incorporated companies, including those with foreign-incorporated parents and with a genuine business in the UK. This scheme is open now and applications can begin being made by contacting banks on the details listed here. More information on this scheme can be found here
- The Coronavirus Large Business Interruption Loan Scheme are available from 20 April. It will provide a government guarantee of 80% to enable accredited lenders to provide finance for companies with a turnover of over £45m. More information can be found on the CBI Hub
- The CBI, banks, UK Finance and the Bank of England are working hard to ensure this scheme provides for mid-tier firms that may not have used commercial paper before.
What is the Job Support Scheme?
- The Job Support Scheme (JSS) will see employees paid up to 77% of their pay, and will start on 1 November, lasting for 6 months.
- Companies will continue to pay employees for time worked, but the cost of hours not worked will be split between the employer, the government (through wage support) and the employee (through a wage reduction), and the employee will keep their job.
- The government will pay a third of hours not worked up to a cap, with the employer also contributing a third. This will ensure employees earn a minimum of 77% of their normal wages, where the Government contribution has not been capped.
- Employers using the Job Support Scheme will also be able to claim the Job Retention Bonus if they meet the eligibility criteria.
- More details about this scheme can be accessed here.
What job support can my business receive if it’s in an area where local restrictions are in place?
- The Job Support Scheme (JSS) is a new joint scheme to support workers. From 1 November, the JSS will be applicable to those who are unable to go to work in an area which still has restrictions.
- The government will pay 67% of wages (up to £2,100/month) for each employee.
- Under the scheme, employers will not be required to contribute towards wages but will be asked to cover NICS and pension contributions.
- More details can be found here.
What is happening to the Job Retention Scheme?
- The Job Retention Scheme is being phased out, and will end on 31 October 2020.
What is the Job Retention Bonus?
- The government announced on 8 July that it will introduce a one-off payment of £1,000 to UK employers for every furloughed employee who remains continuously employed through to the end to January 2021. Businesses can claim for the Bonus from 15 February until the end of March. Further details on this can be found here.
What guidance is available for businesses on operating in a Covid-secure environment?
- The government have published guidelines on how to make workplaces as safe as possible.
- Workspaces should be designed to allow safe distancing (1 to 2 metres), the staggering of start times, one-way walking systems, or other measures including opening more entrance and exit points, and changing the layout of break rooms.
- Workplaces are being advised to clean more frequently, with hand washing facilities or hand santizer at entry and exit points.
- Further details on working safely during Covid-19 can be found here.
How can businesses get extra time to make tax payments?
- HMRC’s Time to Pay system can help businesses facing short-term cash flow issues
- Companies having to access this system can find government advice here
- A dedicated helpline has been launched so businesses in financial distress with outstanding tax liabilities can get help fast on 0800 024 1222. Some firms have had challenges accessing support through the helpline, which HMRC are aware of. They are urgently assessing options to ensure the helpline is sufficiently staffed whilst many handlers are unable to take calls due to self-isolation
- Please note that businesses do not need to miss a deadline, only to have an outstanding liability with HMRC to access a TTP arrangement
- It’s important HMRC have the appropriate documentation to enter firms into a TTP arrangement and they are not intended to be automatic tax deferrals. But if businesses are struggling to access paperwork, HMRC will not charge any late payment penalties if they are told that the business will be unable to pay on time and enters the TTP scheme
- If you run a business or are self-employed and are concerned about paying your tax due to coronavirus, you can call HMRC’s helpline for help and advice: 0800 024 1222.
What support is available for the self-employed?
- In the emergency Coronavirus Legislation that is being passed at the moment, the government has stated it intends to introduce a scheme of Statutory Self-Employment Pay for the self-employed and freelancers. Details on the Self-employment Income Support Scheme have been published
- The legislation currently states that payments will be made so that the net monthly earnings of the self-employed do not fall below 80% of their monthly net earnings averaged over the last three years or £2,917, whichever is lower. No payment will exceed £2,917 per month
- Self-assessment payments are also deferred until January 2021
- Organisations like the Federation of Small Businesses are working closely with the government to ensure that this system is brought in as quickly and as effectively as possible
- The self-employment income support scheme has been extended. Any applications for the second grant should be applied for before 19 October 2020. More information can be found here.
How are the government helping businesses that trade internationally?
- The government has announced a temporary guarantee for business-to-business transactions currently supported by Trade Credit Insurance. Further information can be found, here
- The Department for International Trade (DIT) have put together advice for UK businesses that export or deliver goods and services abroad and have been impacted by the spread of coronavirus here
- This includes, DIT support for UK business trading internationally (customs, IP, business continuity) There is also a dedicated business support team which you can contact by emailing COVID19@trade.gov.uk
- Financial support for exporters: UK Export Finance (UKEF) works with banks and insurance brokers to help companies of all sizes fulfil and get paid for export contracts. It provides guarantees, loans and insurance on behalf of the government that can protect UK exporters facing delayed payments or transit restrictions. You can find out more here and to find out if UKEF covers your region, by emailing customer.service@ukexportfinance.gov.uk
- UK Export Finance has announced it is expanding the scope of its Export Insurance Policy (EXIP) to cover transactions with the EU, Australia, Canada, Iceland, Japan, New Zealand, Norway, Switzerland and the USA with immediate effect. UKEF will offer insurance that can cover up to 95% of the value of an export contract
- The Department for International Trade has revised arrangements for processing licence applications for exporters to help businesses maintain operations across the supply chain.
What guidance is available for businesses on insurance?
- Insurance policies differ significantly, so businesses are encouraged to check the terms and conditions of their policy documentation, including the schedule of insurance and contact their providers – either their broker or the insurance firm
- Standard commercial insurance policies – which is what most businesses purchase - are unlikely to cover pandemics or specified notifiable diseases such as COVID-19 and SARS. However, those businesses which have an insurance policy that covers government ordered closure and pandemics or government ordered closure and unspecified notifiable diseases may be able to make a claim, subject to the terms and conditions of their policy and schedule
- The Association of British Insurers is now running a coronavirus information hub which is updated daily for advice, guidance and commons questions relating to travel, business, trade credit insurance and much more. Click here for the ABI’s Principles for Handling Business Interruption Claims related to COVID-19
- The British Insurance Brokers’ Association are publishing daily updates on coronavirus and the insurance industry on its website to help businesses with common questions and updates here
- Businesses can also check the government website for guidance on business insurance here.
Emergency legislation and local restrictions
My business is in an area with local Covid-19 restrictions in England. What does that mean?
- Guidance on areas with local restrictions, including the areas covered, can be found here.
My area is on a medium local alert. What does that mean for businesses?
- You must not socialise in groups larger than 6, indoors or outdoors.
- Businesses and venues can continue to operate in a COVID-secure manner, other than those that remain closed in law.
- Certain businesses are required to ensure customers only consume food and drink while seated, and must close between 10pm and 5am.
- Businesses and venues selling food for consumption off the premises can continue to do so after 10pm, as long as this is through delivery service, click-and-collect or drive-through.
- Schools and universities remain open.
My area is on a high local alert. What does that mean for businesses?
- You must not socialise with anybody outside of your household or support bubble in any indoor setting, whether at home or in a public place.
- You can continue to travel to venues or amenities that are open, for work or to access education, but should look to reduce the number of journeys you make where possible.
- Businesses and venues can continue to operate in a COVID-secure manner, other than those that remain closed in law.
- Certain businesses are required to ensure customers only consume food and drink while seated, and must close between 10pm and 5am.
- Businesses and venues selling food for consumption off the premises can continue to do so after 10pm ,as long as this is through delivery service, click-and-collect or drive-through.
- Schools, universities and places of worship remain open.
- Weddings and funerals can go ahead with restrictions on the number of attendees.
- Exercise classes and organised sport can continue to take place outdoors.
My area is on a very high local alert. What does that mean for businesses?
- You should try to avoid travelling outside the very-high alert level area you are in, or entering a very-high alert level area, other than for things like work, education or youth services.
- You must not socialise with anybody you do not live with, or have formed a support bubble with, in any indoor setting or in any private garden or at most outdoor hospitality venues and ticketed events.
- You must not socialise in a group of more than 6 in an outdoor public space such as a park or beach, the countryside, a public garden or a sports venue.
- Pubs and bars must close. They can only remain open where they operate as if they were a restaurant, which means serving substantial meals, like a main lunchtime or evening meal. They may only serve alcohol as part of such a meal.
- Schools and universities remain open.
- Exercise classes and organised sport can continue to take place outdoors.
- You should avoid staying overnight in another part of the UK if you are resident in a very-high alert level area.
Employment
How should businesses support flexible working for employees who can work from home?
- The government has asked all employees to work from home unless it is impossible for them to do so. Businesses should therefore support flexible working as much as reasonably possible when working remotely
- Employers should encourage managers and employees with caring responsibilities to speak about any additional flexibility they may need during the day. This could be allowing employees to work reduced hours or flex their hours to work around their caring arrangements
- Employers should be sympathetic to any distractions that may arise at home, such as children or pets moving around or making noise
- Employees’ performance and productivity should be reasonably appraised while working at home, and businesses should consider relaxing performance management where appropriate
- The CIPD have published top tips for managing remote teams, which can be found here.
How should businesses support flexible working for employees who cannot work from home?
- Where it is not possible for individuals to work from home, employers should adapt their practices to observe a distance of at least 1-2 metres between individuals wherever possible.
- Employers should consider staggering shifts and processes to enable staff to continue operating both effectively and at a safe distance wherever possible. More information can be found here
- As well as ensuring the health and safety of staff, these practices can increase opportunities for more flexible working. Depending on the nature of the business, employers are considering the following practices:
- Time-banking to allow workers to ‘accrue hours’ to take as time off at a later date, outside of their usual shift pattern
- Introducing condensed shift patterns whereby employees are able to work their total contracted hours over fewer working days
- Leveraging annualised hours contracts, by allowing workers to reduce the number of hours they’re working during the pandemic but still work the same number of total hours over the year
- Splitting teams so that operations run below full capacity at any given time
- Enabling individuals to take annual leave during this period.
How should firms be managing their pension schemes in light of cashflow problems?
- The Pensions Regulator has issued COVID-19 guidance on different issues that trustees, employers and their advisers are facing as a result of the virus. The guidance is being updated regularly and can be found here
- For defined benefit (DB) schemes, the regulator has announced that DB scheme trustees should be open to employer requests to reduce or suspend deficit recovery contributions (DRCs) if there is a good reason to do so. Such requests could be honoured for up to three months as employers deal with the consequences of the virus
- Schemes will also be able to delay the submission of their recovery plans by up to three months in certain circumstances, and TPR will not act on failure to submit these documents
- For defined contribution (DC) schemes, the government has announced that employers can apply for a grant to cover minimum automatic enrolment contributions under the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme. This is 3% of income above the lower limit of qualifying earnings. Employers are still responsible for any voluntary automatic enrolment contributions above the minimum
- New guidance from The Pensions Regulator has clarified that, for certain employees, employers will be able to reduce DC pension contributions to the statutory minimum without the normal process of consultation. More information can be found here.
How can businesses help employees manage their holiday entitlement?
- The government has announced amendments to the Working Time Regulations that will allow all workers to carry over up to four weeks’ paid holiday over a two-year period
- This will be possible in cases where it has not been reasonably practicable for a worker to take some or all of this leave as a result of the effects of coronavirus (including on the worker, the employer or on the wider economy or society)
- These amendments do not impact on the 1.6 weeks of Additional Leave that the WTR provides or on any other leave that a worker may be contractually entitled to. Both can be carried over, subject to agreement between the employer and the individual
- Employers retain the ability under the WTR to require their employees to take or not take leave at specific times, although the government is yet to clarify whether this will be the case for workers furloughed via the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme
- Employers should always consider the employee relations of changes to holiday entitlements, and discuss any planned changes as a result of the coronavirus with staff as soon as possible
- To enable these changes, the government will relax employers’ obligation to ensure that their workers take their statutory entitlement in any one year
- It remains good practice for employers to still encourage workers and employees to take their paid holiday as time off from work is important to people’s wellbeing, especially in these challenging times
- Further GOV.UK information can be found here.
How can employers help employees stay mentally healthy while working from home or self-isolating?
- Supporting employees’ mental wellbeing has never been more important at a time where many people are working from home or are self-isolating. The government has provided advice for how to look after yourself during the pandemic, available here
- Employers should clearly communicate to their employees about where they can receive support if they are experiencing mental ill health by:
- Sign-posting to all available resources, employee assistance programmes or in-house mental health first aiders
- Making all information available in one place and accessible to all employees
- Asking managers to regularly check-in on the wellbeing of individuals in their teams
- Encouraging peer support through existing employee resource groups.
- Leaders and managers can demonstrate compassionate leadership by:
- Having positive conversations with their teams about what they can do to support their mental health
- Developing a better understanding of individual’s stress triggers when working from home or self-isolating and how they can be mitigated
- Establishing new practices such as regular team catch-ups via video calls, including opportunities to connect about non-work issues, e.g. virtual ‘tea-breaks’.
- The CBI has a webinar recording with more ways businesses can support the mental health of their staff during the pandemic available here.
What changes have been made to statutory sick pay (SSP)?
- The government has updated Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) rules to help ensure staff stay at home and do not go to work if they or someone in their household is sick, as required by the latest Public Health guidance
- Employees who are sick or cannot work from home whilst self-isolating are eligible for SSP, even if they themselves are not ill
- The government has suspended ‘waiting days’ so employees are entitled to SSP from day one, rather than after the fourth day of sickness absence
- Employees can self-certify for the first seven days they are absent from work. Thereafter, online isolation notes have replaced the need for employees to contact their doctor or GP
- Employers that offer contractual sick pay should continue paying this to individuals that are sick or have to self-isolate and cannot work from home
- Guidance on claiming back SSP can be viewed here
- Guidance on claiming back SSP can be viewed here
- Further guidance is available at GOV.UK – Statutory Sick Pay; ACAS - Self-isolation and sick pay.
What financial support has the government pledged for businesses paying SSP?
- The large numbers of people self-isolating places an additional financial burden on employers. The government has announced measures to support some businesses
- Employers with fewer than 250 employees on 28 February 2020 will be eligible for a rebate covering up to two weeks’ SSP costs per employee if they have been off work because of COVID-19
- Employers can claim SSP relief for employees with all types of employment contracts, including employees on flexible, agency or zero-hours contracts
- An online portal for SMEs to claim SSP relief is expected to be operational in late April
- Smaller employers are not able to reclaim SSP costs where employees are required to self-isolate for more than 14 days, either in one or a subsequent period(s)
- Larger employers, with more than 250 employees, are not eligible for any relief on SSP costs
- See further guidance at GOV.UK – Support for businesses who are paying sick pay to employees.
Is there any flexibility on conducting right to work checks as new starters now commence work at home?
- Yes. The government has updated its guidance to enable employers to carry out checks over video calls, and individuals can send scanned copies or photos of documents rather than originals
- For further guidance see GOV.UK – Coronavrius: right to work checks
Meetings, travel and events
What is the current advice on employees attending external meetings?
- The government’s current advice is that people who can work from home, should continue to work from home
- Firms are using emails, phone calls and video-conferencing wherever possible to hold meetings – for example using Zoom, Microsoft Teams, Google Hangouts and Cisco WebEx. Zoom has removed time limits for its meetings in areas of outbreak, there are free version of Teams and WebEx, and Google Hangouts has always been free
- Face coverings are mandatory for those using public transport, and from 24 July, in shops too.
What is the current advice on travel, both nationally and internationally, for employees in the UK?
- See further government advice here
- From 8 June 2020 new rules will be in place for travelers returning to the UK. A 14 day period of sel-isolation is required for those entering the UK, with exceptions for road haulage or passenger transport workers, registered health care professionals and those with specific technical skills. A full list of those excluded from the rules can be viewed here
- Further guidance on the exemption rules around quarantine for England, Scotland, and Northern Ireland can be found, here. Similar rules are expected to apply in Wales.
- Information for transport providers about passengers travelling to England can be found, here
- Guidance on travel corridors can be found here. Rules regarding travel corridors and inward travel applies to England only.
How are other companies managing employees who are stuck abroad or quarantined abroad?
- It is important that firms encourage employees quarantined abroad to follow health advice from local authorities
- Some firms with employees stuck abroad have been reaching out proactively to those members of staff to ensure they understand policies with regard to annual leave and sick leave, and are supporting them to work from abroad if at all possible
- Some firms with employees quarantined abroad are highlighting access to mental health and wellbeing support.
Cleaning and health in the workplace
What guidance is available for businesses and workplaces where employees are unable to work from home?
- The advice on social distancing measures applies to everyone and should be followed wherever possible. Workplaces need to avoid crowding and minimise opportunities for the virus to spread by maintaining a distance of at least 2 metres (3 steps) between individuals wherever possible. This advice applies both to inside the workplace, and to where staff may need to interact with customers
- Staff should be reminded to wash their hands regularly using soap and water for 20 seconds and particularly after blowing their nose, sneezing or coughing. Where facilities to wash hands are not available, hand sanitiser should be used. Workers should cover any coughs or sneezes with a tissue, then dispose of the tissue in a bin and immediately wash their hands
- The government have produced this tailored advice for different scenarios as an example of how social distancing and other measures might be implemented by employers in England to help protect their workforce and customers from coronavirus while still continuing to trade.
What should a company do if an employee or visitor becomes unwell while at work?
- If anyone becomes unwell with a new, continuous cough or a high temperature in the business or workplace they should be advised to follow the stay at home guidance for households with possible coronavirus (COVID-19) infection. If these symptoms develop whilst at work they should be sent home, they should return home quickly and directly. If they have to use public transport, they should try to keep away from other people and catch coughs and sneezes in a tissue. In addition, from 15 June, face coverings will be mandatory for those using public transport in England
- If you, or an employee, need clinical advice, they should go to NHS 111 online, or call 111 if they don’t have internet access
- If the member of staff lives in a household where someone else is unwell with symptoms of coronavirus (COVID-19) then they must stay at home in line with the stay at home guidance.
If an employee within the workplace tests positive for the virus, should anything specific be used for cleaning purposes?
- The government has issued this advice for cleaning in non-healthcare settings after someone with suspected coronavirus has left
- To clean the workspace where someone with confirmed coronavirus has visited – all surfaces and objects visibly contaminated and all potentially contaminated high-contact areas should be cleaned. Pay particular attention to frequently touched areas and surfaces, such as bathrooms, grab-rails in corridors and stairwells and door handles. The virus is easily broken down with proper application of standard cleaning products: disposable cloths and household detergents should be used to clean these areas, and disposed of in doubled-up plastic bags under the guidance of the PHE Health Protection Team
- If an area has been heavily contaminated, such as with visible bodily fluids, from a person with coronavirus (COVID-19), consider using protection for the eyes, mouth and nose, as well as wearing gloves and an apron
- Current PHE guidance is that public areas where a symptomatic individual has passed through and spent minimal time in (such as corridors) but which are not visibly contaminated with body fluids can be cleaned thoroughly as normal
- If an area can be kept closed and secure for 72 hours, wait until this time has passed for cleaning as the amount of virus living on surfaces will have reduced significantly by 72 hours.
Supply chain
How are other companies managing disruption to their supply chains as a result of coronavirus?
- A number of manufacturing and logistics firms in specific sectors are facing difficulties with delays in deliveries from Asia, as a result of the effect of quarantines in China
- Some firms are utilising their no deal Brexit stockpiles, having utilised their stockpiles for Chinese New Year
- Some firms are reviewing the smaller businesses in their supply chains to understand their exposure to China and other disrupted markets
- Some firms have been able to source replacement components from elsewhere, but have had to consider cashflow, timing and margins of projects
- Where impacts on supply chains are being experienced, companies are encouraged to communicate the details to the CBI at coronavirussupport@cbi.org.uk.
Decisions about actions to take will be different for every company, and this guidance cannot substitute legal advice or that of the government.
