Coronavirus advice for employers and businesses

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

Under the third step of the Governments Road Map Out of Lockdown, from the 17th of May:

  • Indoor hospitality can reopen for table service for groups of up to 6 people or two households.
  • Indoors, the rule of 6 or two households will apply.
  • Indoor entertainment and attractions, including cinemas, museums and children's play areas can reopen.
  • Outdoor gatherings of up to 30 people will be permitted.
  • Hotels, hostels and B&Bs are reopen for use.
  • Indoor adult group sports and exercise classes can resume.
  • Performances and sporting events in indoor and outdoor venues can resume with capacity limits.
  • Up to 30 people will be able to attend most significant life events, including; weddings, receptions, christenings and bar mitzvahs.
  • The legal limit on the number of mourners at funerals will be lifted. Venues will set limits based on individual capacity.
  • Non-essential retail can reopen.
  • Personal care services such as hairdressers and nail salons can reopen, including those provided from a mobile setting.
  • Public buildings such as libraries and community centres can reopen.
  • You should continue to work from home if you can and minimise the amount that your travel where possible.

Business Grants

Check to see if your business can qualify for a Restart 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 the 17th May the following can open: indoor hospitality can reopen for table service for groups of up to 6 people or two household; indoor entertainment and attractions, including cinemas, museums and children's play areas; hotels, hostels and B&Bs; indoor adult group sports and exercise classes can also resume.

  • From the 12th April the following can open: non-essential retail; personal care premises such as hairdressers and nail salons; and public buildings, including libraries and community centres. Indoor leisure facilities such as gyms will also reopen (but only for use by people on their own or in household groups); as will most outdoor attractions and settings including outdoor hospitality venues, zoos, theme parks, and drive-in cinemas. Self-contained accommodation such as campsites and holiday lets, where indoor facilities are not shared with other households, can also reopen.
  • From 5th January Doncaster is under national restrictions which means non-essential retail must close, along with gyms, leisure centres and personal care facilities. Pubs and restaurants are to remain closed except for takeaways.
  • 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.

Workplace Coronavirus Tests

The government is encouraging all businesses to sign up to an employer-led rapid testing scheme, through which they can receive free tests for staff members without symptoms who cannot work from home.

Doncaster Council is encouraging all businesses to register for the scheme.

To register interest in the scheme, visit the gov.uk page: Get workplace coronavirus tests 

The registration process will ask for the following:

  • Institution name
  • Email for main point of contact
  • Industry sector: food production
  • Company registration number
  • Size of company (no. of employees)

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.

Request business advice

Please complete the following form to request advice on complying with COVID-19 restrictions:

BUSINESS ADVICE REQUEST

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: 21 May 2021 16:48:32