Uk Hospitality Update

The Government has today published detailed guidance setting out their approach to local outbreaks together with PHE support tools to help businesses identify and report cases in their premises.

The Government is adopting a 5 stage approach to local spikes in infection numbers:

Monitoring: The Joint Biosecurity Centre (JBC) and Public Health England (PHE) share local coronavirus data with directors of public health in local authorities

Engagement and communication: if monitoring highlights problems, JBC and PHE will work with local authority to understand source and develop solutions

Testing: mass testing at a local level and contract tracing via NHS Test and Trace

Local restrictions: only if the virus continues to spread despite this will the LA or Govt move to restrict activities at particular locations or close premises deemed source of outbreak

National intervention: if this does not work govt will move to close schools, ask people to stay at home, restrict movement. Closing premises en mass or ending activities will be a matter of last resort. Measures will be tailored to the circumstances of each outbreak and will be reviewed at least every 2 weeks.

PHE has launched a campaign to encourage Business to Report Outbreaks where there are more than two confirmed cases linked by the workplace or social space. Where a staff member of customer lets the business know of a positive test result, the business should report the outbreak to the local health protection team and work with them on contact tracing. As part of the campaign, PHE have produced a series of different action cards for different business types, including tourism & hospitality. These are available here.

 

Government Updates

Following the publication of the Code of Practice on Commercial Leases, the Government is conducting a survey of its use and application as part of its consideration of whether additional measures are required. 

The Government today published consumer facing messaging on the Eat Out to Help Out Scheme, including a video on how the scheme works. The new restaurant locator has been expanded to provide a list of premises within 5 miles rather than 2, but will restrict the initial search to the 100 closest venues. In addition, HMRC has provided updated guidance to businesses participating in the scheme on how to make a claim. Advice for businesses with fewer than 25 sites is available here and for larger companies advice is here

Updated weekly data for the Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme (CBILS), Coronavirus Large Business Interruption Loan Scheme (CLBILS), Bounce Back Loan Scheme (BBLS) and Future Fund Scheme is available.