Updates for businesses affected by the Lockdown starting November 5th

Visit England have shared the following updates which should be of interest to Northamptonshire businesses. 

National restriction guidance 

The national restriction guidance has been updated with further information and clarifications. Below please find areas that will be of interest to tourism businesses.

1. The guidance for those currently on holiday has been updated: if you were already on holiday, you should return to your home as soon as practical and comply with the ‘stay at home’ requirements in your holiday accommodation in the meantime. 

Further updates to businesses and venues that can remain open, these now include:

1. Car parks, public toilets and motorway service areas. 
2. Outdoor grounds of botanical gardens, heritage homes and landmarks (indoor attractions at these venues must close).

The full list of venues that must close/can remain open can be found on page 29-32 of the regulations.

Further clarifications on weddings and funerals:

1. Funerals can be attended by a maximum of 30 people. Linked ceremonial events such as stone settings and ash scatterings can also continue with up to 15 people in attendance. Anyone working is not counted in the 15 or 30. Social distancing should be maintained between people who do not live together or share a support bubble.
2. Weddings and civil partnership ceremonies will not be permitted to take place except where one of those getting married is seriously ill and not expected to recover (‘deathbed wedding’). These weddings are limited to 6 people.

Support for the self-employed 

Self-Employment Income Support Scheme - the Government has announced it is increasing support through the third instalment of the UK-wide Self-Employment Income Support Scheme, people will receive 80% of their average trading profits for November. The claims window is also being brought forward from 14 December to 30 November. New guidance on how to claim is due to be published shortly.

Other financial support available to self-employed people who are getting less work due to coronavirus has been updated in the guidance including: 

1. Test and Trace Support Payment
2. New Style Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
3. New Style Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA)
4. Universal Credit
5. Pension Credit

Loan schemes application deadlines extended to 31 January 2021

The application deadlines for the following schemes have been extended until 31 January 2021:

1. Coronavirus Bounce Back Loan
2. Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan 
3. Coronavirus Large Business Interruption Loan Scheme
4. Coronavirus Future Fund 

Extension of the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme

The Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme is being extended until December 2020.The current guidance on GOV.UK is due to be updated shortly and will include the rules relating to the extension and when you will be able to claim.

Other Government updates

1. New guidance on how to repay Eat Out to Help Out Scheme payments if your business over claimed or needs to payback some or all of the payments.
2. New guidance is available for local authorities on paying grants to support businesses during the November to December 2020 national lockdown and periods of local restrictions.

We are expecting further guidance to be available from Visit England shortly. We will continue to keep you updated.