COVID-19 support for business - advice and guidance

We support businesses and know that many are affected by COVID-19. There is national and local advice as well as financial support for businesses.

Grants

Information and guidance on grants for businesses can be found on COVID-19 support for business - grants

Further guidance and support

The latest guidance following the Government announcement of national lockdown from 4 January 2021

This new guidance meant some businesses had to close or others operate in other ways. It is the responsibility of businesses to make sure their premises, if open, operate in a COVID secure way:

Businesses can contact the New Anglia Growth Hub, hosted by Suffolk Chamber of Commerce, to receive the most up to date advice and guidance as issued by Government. Visit New Anglia Growth Hub website or 0300 333 6536.

Help is also available for employees and staff who may need financial help if they have been asked by NHS Test and Trace to quarantine with the introduction of the Test and Trace Support payment

Fraud advice

In an initiative between Government and the independent charity Crimestoppers, the public can now call a new COVID Fraud Hotline (0800 587 5030) anonymously and free of charge to report suspected fraudulent activity. The COVID Fraud Hotline is open 24/7, 365 days a year on 0800 587 5030 or fill in the simple and secure anonymous form at www.Covidfraudhotline.org

Wearing face masks

There is strict guidance on the use of facemasks by businesses and their employees as well as the public. Detailed information can be found at: GOV.UK - Face coverings: when to wear one, exemptions, and how to make your own

  • Staff are required to wear a face covering in areas that are open to the public or where they are likely to come within close contact with a member of the public.
  • People are strongly encouraged to wear face coverings in any other enclosed public spaces where there are people they do not normally meet.
  • You do not need to wear a face covering if you have a legitimate reason not to.

QR codes for Test and Trace

Government requires certain businesses and facilities to display a QR code for Test and Trace as there is a legal requirement to log customer, visitor and staff details.

These organisations and businesses must display official NHS QR code posters under law. Businesses are expected to make sure their customers are aware of the rules around QR codes by displaying posters and speaking to customers directly.

It is now mandatory for a wider range of businesses and organisations to collect customer, visitor and staff contact details. This is vital for the NHS Test and Trace service in England to contact the necessary people if coronavirus outbreaks are identified in venue.

For guidance on who should display a QR code and how to create one visit: GOV.UK - Create a coronavirus NHS QR code for your venue or visit the NHS website

Businesses and venues opening

The change to lockdown guidance from 4 January 2021 has meant that some businesses are closed while others can remain open. The full guidance can be found at: GOV.UK - Businesses and venues which can remain open

For up to date advice and guidance on coronavirus visit:

For more advice and support, please contact West Suffolk Council’s Commercial Environmental Health team at food&safety@westsuffolk.gov.uk

Our economic development team

Any business in the West Suffolk area concerned about their specific circumstances or confused about where they can go for support can contact: economic.development@westsuffolk.gov.uk or phone 01284 757114.

Pavement licences

For more information about pavement licenses, street trading and vending visit: Street trading and vending