Dated December 2020

34, What are the new national lockdown rules for tier 5 in England? ● Non-essential retail, such as clothing and homeware stores, vehicle showrooms (other than for rental), betting shops, tailors, tobacco and vape shops, electronic goods and mobile phone shops, auction houses (except for auctions of livestock or agricultural equipment) and market stalls selling non-essential goods. These venues can continue to be able to operate click-and-collect (where goods are pre-ordered and collected off the premises) and delivery services.

Weddings, civil partnership ceremonies and funerals are allowed with strict limits on attendance, and must only take place in COVID-19 secure venues or in public outdoor spaces unless in exceptional circumstances.

Funerals can be attended by a maximum of 30 people.

You may only leave your home for work if you cannot reasonably work from home.

To read the latest information on Government guidelines Click here

33, What are the latest rules with regards to lockdown in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland?

Wales https://gov.wales/business-closures-alert-level-4 -Unlike in earlier lockdowns, at Level 4 all shops can offer click and collect or similar services, whether or not they are required to close their premises. To reduce the number of journeys people make, all goods and services must  be ordered in advance online, by telephone or mail order. 

Scotland CLICK HERE for further details on Scotland’s rules which has now been updated -Click and collect services and outdoor retail will also be able to operate, as will on-line retail.

Northern Ireland https://www.nidirect.gov.uk/articles/coronavirus-covid-19-regulations-guidance-what-restrictions-mean-you– The regulations apply from 12.01 am on 26 December 2020 for six weeks, with a review after four weeks. Non-essential retail closed. Home delivery allowed but collection not permitted

32, What are the government guidelines for those in Tier 4 in England? Non-essential retail, such as clothing and homeware stores, vehicle showrooms (other than for rental), betting shops, tailors, tobacco and vape shops, electronic goods and mobile phone shops, and market stalls selling non-essential goods – these venues can continue to be able to operate click-and-collect (where goods are pre-ordered and collected off the premises) and delivery services. For more information go to https://www.gov.uk/guidance/tier-4-stay-at-home

Click here for easy to read poster

31, What areas are in Tier 4 in England?

  • Kent, Buckinghamshire, Berkshire, Surrey (excluding Waverley), Gosport, Havant, Portsmouth, Rother and Hastings;
  • London (all 32 boroughs and the City of London); and
  • the East of England (Bedford, Central Bedford, Milton Keynes, Luton, Peterborough, Hertfordshire, Essex excluding Colchester, Uttlesford and Tendring). if you are unsure about your area you can find the information via postcode on https://www.gov.uk/find-coronavirus-local-restrictions

30, What are the rules for Northern Ireland, Wales and Scotland? These links will help you find the latest information. As these guidelines constantly change we suggest you check regularly.

Northern Ireland – https://www.nidirect.gov.uk/articles/coronavirus-covid-19-regulations-guidance-what-restrictions-mean-you

WALES

https://gov.wales/business-closures-alert-level-4

https://gov.wales/covid-19-alert-levels

SCOTLAND

https://www.gov.scot/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-protection-levels/

https://www.gov.scot/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-protection-levels/pages/protection-level-4/

29, If I’m going to be in tier 2, can I hold my Christmas workshops? After trawling government websites and making numerous phone calls for 2 days we are advising that members should seek advice from their local councils to gain clarity and make sure they are operating within the guidelines of their local council. The wording for tier 2 is very confusing and we will continue to seek clarity.

For more information on what you can and can not do for the Tier 1, 2 and 3 follow the links where the rules and exceptions are listed.

Tier 3 – https://www.gov.uk/guidance/tier-3-very-high-alert

Tier 2 – https://www.gov.uk/guidance/tier-2-high-alert

Tier 1 – https://www.gov.uk/guidance/tier-1-medium-alert

Please ensure at all times that you and everyone else around you comply with the rules. Stay Safe.

The tier 123 apply to England only. for more information on Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland click the links.

Scotland – https://www.gov.scot/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-protection-levels/

Wales – updated 23rd November https://gov.wales/coronavirus-regulations-guidance

N I – https://www.nidirect.gov.uk/articles/coronavirus-covid-19-regulations-guidance-what-restrictions-mean-you

28, If I sell Christmas Trees can I open as a garden centre does under essential opening? The government guidelines state the following ”Garden centres, agricultural supplies shops, and Christmas tree businesses, including Christmas tree farms. This does not include florists, nurseries, or foresters who can continue operating through click-and-collect and delivery services”

To read the reply from the Business Government Department CLICK HERE

27, What areas of Scotland are in L4 on 20th November? This very simple link explaining The Scottish L4 restrictions may be useful for clarity. The restriction will start at 6pm 20/11/20 for 3 weeks. The L4 areas are……City of Glasgow, Renfrewshire, East Renfrewshire, East Dunbartonshire, West Dunbartonshire, North Lanarkshire, South Lanarkshire, East Ayrshire, South Ayrshire, Stirling and West Lothian. Remember to check the Scottish government website to check the Level you are in if you are unsure.

26, What are the latest updates on Grants? The Government announced that Non-essential’ retailers forced to shut in England’s second lockdown could be eligible for grants totalling £2.2 billion.

As a result of Covid-19, businesses will benefit from two grant schemes: one for businesses that have had to close, and another scheme for further business support. Money was transferred to councils in England on Friday, November 13, and businesses can expect to receive money covering the four-week period of national restrictions in the coming days. Pease do check your councils website for details.

The grant schemes are: The Local Restrictions Support Grants, for businesses which have had to close or have been severely impacted by local restrictions (hospitality, leisure and non-essential retail sectors):

  • business owners will receive £1,334 per 4 weeks if they have a rateable value below £15,000
  • they will receive £2,000 per 4 weeks if they have a rateable value between £15,000 and £51,000
  • they will receive £3,000 per 4 weeks if they have a rateable value above £51,000

25, Can I claim the Job Retention Bonus? The Government’s Job Retention Bonus Scheme has been withdrawn when the chancellor announced other support measures. The Job Retention Bonus was a £1,000 one-off taxable payment to the employer, for each eligible employee that was furloughed and kept continuously employed until January 31, 2021. However, the scheme was withdrawn after the enhanced furlough package was announced.

24, What can I do about employees on furlough? If an employer is considering dismissing an employee (whether for redundancy or otherwise), you are advised to give them notice before 1 December 2020. This is because the government has now confirmed that employers cannot claim for employees serving contractual or statutory notice periods for claim periods starting on or after 1 December 2020 CLICK HERE to read the very latest update

23, Can I do contactless deliveries and click and collect? Yes under the guidelines you can do both contactless deliveries and click and collect in a safe and social distancing environment. To read more on our top tips on Click and Collect – Click here!

22, Can my Christmas workshops still go ahead? Not under the new national lockdown rules in Tier 4 check with local councils for further information in other tiers.

21, Why are Garden centres allowed to open and florists not? We have written to the Minster and Government department asking for clarification on the difference between our flower wholesalers, florists and garden centres. We await their reply. In the meantime the following guidelines are :

Businesses and venues which must close.

To reduce social contact, the Government has ordered certain businesses and venues to close or restrict how they provide goods and services. These include: Non-essential retail, such as clothing and homeware stores, vehicle showrooms (other than for rental), betting shops, tailors, tobacco and vape shops, electronic goods and mobile phone shops, and market stalls selling non-essential goods. These venues can continue to be able to operate click-and-collect (where goods are pre-ordered and collected off the premises) and delivery services

20, With the new Lockdown this November what grants are available to me? Business Grants: Business premises forced to close in England due to local or national restrictions will be eligible for the following:

  • For properties with a rateable value of £15k or under, grants to be £1,334 per month, or £667 per two weeks;
  • For properties with a rateable value of between £15k-£51k grants to be £2,000 per month, or £1,000 per two weeks;
  • For properties with a rateable value of £51k or over grants to be £3,000 per month, or £1,500 per two weeks.

Business grant policy is fully devolved. Devolved Administrations will receive Barnett consequentials which they could use to establish similar schemes.

for more information go to https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/self-employment-income-support-scheme-grant-extension/self-employment-income-support-scheme-grant-extension#how-to-claim

19, What support is available to me as a business? Self-Employment Income Support Scheme Grant Extension:  The grant is being extended from 1 November 2020. The grant will be increased from the previously announced level of 40% of trading profits to 80% for November 2020. Find out if you are eligible and how much you can get.

18, Can I keep all my staff in the workroom or do I need to furlough them? As long as you and your staff are following the government guidelines with regards to social distancing there is no reason for you to not continue doing what you have been doing in the last few months. You do not need to furlough any staff if unnecessary to do so.

The Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme: The Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme, also known as the furlough scheme, has been extended to December 2020. Check to find:

UPDATE 5TH NOVEMBER.

Workers across the United Kingdom will benefit from increased support with a five-month extension of the furlough scheme into Spring 2021, the Chancellor announced.

Don’t forget to print the Furlough letters for your furloughed staff. The templates can be found in the members area.

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