Coronavirus (COVID-19):
information for businesses

From 5 November, all non-essential shops, leisure and tourism venues, and close contact services (such as hairdressers and tattooists) are required to close by law.

Bars, pubs and restaurants must stay closed except for delivery or takeaway services. 

Non-essential retail venues can continue to operate click-and-collect, where goods are pre-ordered and collected off the premises, and delivery services.

We'll update this page as and when restrictions change. 

Read about the current national restrictions on GOV.UK.

Tell us about a business that isn’t following the government’s order to close or isn't following the COVID secure guidance:

• call 0117 922 2500
• email health.safety@bristol.gov.uk

• Read guidance for working safely during coronavirus (GOV.UK) to prepare now for reopening your business in a COVID-secure way.
• Report a suspected coronavirus outbreak

Test and Trace in the workplace

Read government guidance for NHS Test and Trace in the workplace on GOV.UK, including:

• what should happen if a worker develops coronavirus symptoms, tests positive or is told to self-isolate
• collecting customer or visitor data

You must display an NHS Test and Trace QR code in your workplace. Create a QR code on GOV.UK.

Specific sector guidance

Make sure your business reopens in a COVID-secure way when restrictions change by reading our guidance for:

• hospitality businesses
• outdoor events: restarting outdoor events and activities

GOV.UK has information about support for businesses, including:

• the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme ('furloughing' workers), which has been extended until March 2021
• deferring VAT payments that were due between 20 March and 30 June 2020 to March 2021
• deferring Self Assessment payments on account that were due by 31 July 2020 to 31 January 2021
• applying for more time to file your company's accounts with Companies House
• paying sick pay to employees (statutory sick pay relief package for SMEs)
• what to do if you can't pay your tax bill on time
• support for larger firms through the COVID-19 Corporate Financing Facility
• protecting high street businesses from aggressive rent collection and closure until the end of 2020

Use the GOV.UK coronavirus business support finder to find out what support your business is eligible for.

You may be able to apply for a loan or grant through the:

• Local Restrictions Support and Additional Restrictions grants
• Bounce Back Loans scheme (GOV.UK), government-backed loans of £2,000 to £50,000 for small and medium businesses, interest free for 12 months
• Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme (GOV.UK)
• COVID-19 Corporate Financing Facility, help for large businesses through the purchase of their short-term debt (GOV.UK)
• government Future Fund
• Musicians' Union Coronavirus Hardship Fund
• Innovate UK funding opportunities to test ideas and develop innovative products and services
• National Lottery Community Fund, for organisations supporting people and communities affected by COVID-19

• Retail, leisure and hospitality business can ​​​apply for a business rates holiday for the 2020 to 2021 tax year
• Nurseries will get a business rates holiday for the 2020 to 2021 tax year. We’ll send revised bills to eligible businesses. 

Read guidance for:

• working safely during coronavirus on GOV.UK
• health professionals on GOV.UK
• adult care providers
• suppliers to the council
• hospitality businesses
• which retail can remain open and which must close during national lockdown restrictions (GOV.UK)

Local

• Business West
• West of England Combined Authority
• Black South West Network
• Voscur
• Bristol Food Union

National

• The Federation of Small Businesses
• Enterprise Nation
• Creative England 
• National Council of Voluntary Organisations
• Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service (ACAS)
• Bectu: the union for creative ambition
• Musicians' Union
• UK Hospitality
• Night Time Industries Association
• The British Institute of Innkeeping
• Equity 

Find out about:

• ‘furloughing’ staff through the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme on GOV.UK
• support with paying sick pay for staff who've been off work because of COVID-19, if you have fewer than 250 employees 
• the Test and Trace Support Payment scheme of £500 for eligible low paid workers whose earnings are affected by staying at home and isolating for 14 days

Mental health support

• Thrive at Work has guidance for helping your employees stay mentally and physically well during coronavirus and beyond
• Business in the Community has a 'COVID-19: employee health and wellbeing' toolkit

If you can’t work because you’ve had symptoms of COVID-19 or have self isolated, you can apply for:

• Universal Credit (UC) (GOV.UK)
• new style Employment and Support Allowance (GOV.UK)

If you’ve lost income because of COVID-19, you can apply for:

• the Self employment Income Support Scheme (GOV.UK)
• Universal Credit (UC) (GOV.UK), if you’re not eligible for the Self-employment income support scheme

GOV.UK has information about:

• deferring Self Assessment payments due on 31 July 2020 until 31 January 2021 
• support with tax that's due

Future Bright offers careers coaching, training and support to self employed workers whose ability to earn has been affected by COVID-19.

If you're looking for temporary or new staff, email ways2work@bristol.gov.uk with information about the vacancy and we'll help promote it on the Ways2Work website.

Offer a work placement to people aged 16 to 24 through the Kickstart scheme.