Coronavirus advice for employers and businesses

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

Business Grants

The Local Restrictions Support Grant (LRSG) helps businesses that have been required to close due to the temporary locallockdown restrictions imposed by the government. The Additional Restrictions Grant and Licenced Taxi Driver Support Grant schemes are now also available. Check to see if your business can qualify for a grant and apply now:

Business Support Grants

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

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 and frequently asked questions. If you require a further discussion you can phone a Business Doncaster advisor on 01302 735555.

Business Doncaster

Latest government announcements, sources of information and support for businesses

For the latest information for businesses and venues visit the gov.uk website. Businesses that are able to open should see the latest Guidance for working safely during the coronavirus pandemic. Below is a summary of announcements so far:

  • From 2 December Doncaster returns to Tier 3 Very High restrictions which means all retail can open, along with gyms and leisure centres. Pubs and restaurants are to remain closed except for takeaways.
  • From 5 November new national restrictions for businesses and venues will come into force closing non-essential retail, indoor and outdoor leisure facilities, entertainment venues and personal care facilities (such as hair, beauty and nail salons etc). Hospitality venues like restaurants, bars and pubs must also close, but can still provide takeaway and delivery services.
  • From 18 September, it is mandatory for certain businesses to have a system to collect NHS Test and Trace data, and keep this for 21 days - see Guidelines. The government has also published simplified COVID-19 Secure guidance which you are required to follow and will be enforced.
The Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme for furloughed workers will remain open until 31 March 2021. 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 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. Applications for the Fund are NOW OPEN until end of November 2020, see the following guidance: Apply for the Coronavirus Future Fund.

Guidelines for Businesses to protect staff and customers

Some businesses have a higher risk of transmitting COVID-19 because visitors spend a longer time in the premises and are more likely to come into close contact with people outside their household or support bubble. This is why businesses in the hospitality sector now have a legal obligation to collect NHS Test and Trace data and store it securely for 21 days.

By maintaining records of staff, customers and visitors, businesses can help NHS Test and Trace to identify and notify people who may have been exposed to the virus, allowing them to get the advice and support they need.

Under new regulations, you must collect:

  • the name of the customer or visitor. If there is more than one person, then you can record the name of the ‘lead member’ of the group and the number of people in the group
  • a contact phone number for each customer or visitor, or for the lead member of a group of people
  • date of visit, arrival time and (where possible) departure time
  • if a customer will interact with only one member of staff (e.g. a hairdresser), the name of the assigned staff member should be recorded alongside the name of the customer

Guidance for maintaining records of staff and customer for businesses

The locations which must collect details of their staff and visitors are:

  • Hospitality, including pubs, bars, restaurants and cafés
  • Tourism and leisure, including hotels, museums, cinemas, zoos and theme parks
  • Close contact services, including hairdressers
  • Facilities provided by local authorities, including town halls and civic centres (for events), libraries and children’s centres

Create an NHS Test and Trace QR Code which customers can scan using their phones to check in whenever they visit your business. Those businesses who are now required by law to record the details of customers, e.g. restaurants, must display an NHS QR code poster on their premises.

Further Guidance

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

Reporting breaches of the guidance

For clarification on the guidance or for concerns about business compliance email Regulation&Enforcement@doncaster.gov.uk  or use our form to report businesses breaching the restrictions.

Report a business for breach of covid-19 restrictions

Please eport domestic breaches of the restrictions to South Yorkshire Police:

REPORT A BREACH OF COVID-19 GUIDANCE TO SOUTH YORKSHIRE POLICE

Last updated: 02 December 2020 17:25:14