Coronavirus advice for employers and businesses

This page provides guidance for employers and businesses on the coronavirus situation.

Financial support finder tool

You can use the government's Coronavirus business support finder tool to see what financial support is available for you and your business.

Support Finder

Business Doncaster

Local businesses are encouraged to visit the Business Doncaster Website which is being updated with the latest Coronavirus information. If you require a further discussion you can phone a Business Doncaster advisor on 01302 735555.

Business Doncaster

Business Grants

For all information relating to business grants please visit our Covid-19 response - Business Grants webpage.

Further information about COVID-19 and the support available to businesses is also available on the Government website.

Latest government announcements, sources of information and support for businesses

Latest Government announcements:
  • Businesses will have a clear duty to support NHS Test and Trace. From 18 September, it will be mandatory for certain businesses to have a system to collect NHS Test and Trace data, and keep this for 21 days. Core COVID-19 Secure requirements will be mandated for hospitality businesses, and egregious breaches enforced. The government has also published simplified COVID-19 Secure guidance.
  • From 15 August, the following businesses can reopen and activities can resume provided they follow the Covid-19 Secure guidelines: casinos, skating rinks, bowling alleys, indoor play areas, including soft play areas, indoor performances, remaining close contact services (including any treatments on the face such as eyebrow threading or make-up application), wedding receptions and celebrations for up to 30 people (in the form of a sit-down meal).
  • From Monday 13 July beauticians, tattooists, spas, tanning salons and other close-contact services can reopen. Existing guidance on close contact services will be updated here: Guidance for close-contact services.
  • From Saturday 4th July all pubs, restaurants, hairdressers and accomodation sites were able to reopen, providing they adhere to COVID Secure guidelines please see the updated guidance for all workplace settings.
  • In order to begin restoring the arts and cultural sector, some leisure facilities and tourist attractions were able to reopen from Saturday 4th July, if they can do so safely – this includes outdoor gyms and playgrounds, cinemas, museums, galleries, theme parks and arcades, as well as libraries, social clubs, places of worship and community centres - guidance on opening up the visitor economy can also be found on the updated guidance for all workplace settings. Indoor gyms, swimming pools and sports facilities could reopen from Saturday 25 July.
  • Non-essential retail including shops selling clothes, shoes, toys, furniture, books, and electronics, plus tailors, auction houses, photography studios, and indoor markets were able to reopen from 15 June if the Government’s five tests are met and they follow the COVID-19 secure guidelines.
  • Businesses will only be able to open from these dates once they have completed a risk assessment, in consultation with trade union representatives or workers, and are confident they are managing the risks. They must have taken the necessary steps to become COVID-19 secure in line with the current Health and Safety legislation. Please see the updated Guidance for shops and branches working safely during coronavirus (COVID-19).
The Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme for furloughed workers will remain open until the end of October. From 1 July, employers can bring back to work employees that have previously been furloughed for any amount of time and any shift pattern, while still being able to claim the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme grant for their normal hours not worked. When claiming the grant for furloughed hours employers will need to report and claim for a minimum period of a week. Further guidance on flexible furloughing and how employers should calculate claims has been published.

Future Fund update - Eligibility details for the Future Fund, which was set up to provide government loans to UK-based companies ranging from £125,000 to £5 million, subject to at least equal match funding from private investors, has been updated. Applications for the Fund are NOW OPEN, see the following guidance: Apply for the coronavirus Future Fund.

The government has also published the following guidance:

You can also find Coronavirus advice and guidance for businesses at Doncaster Chamber of Commerce.

Businesses should remind their staff to follow Public Health England advice to:

  • always carry tissues and use them to catch your cough or sneeze, then bin the tissue, and wash your hands with soap and water
  • wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after using public transport
  • avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands
  • avoid close contact with people who are unwell 
Last updated: 10 September 2020 18:08:35