Good afternoon,
Specific guidance for workplaces continues to be released daily, but there are five key points that all business must follow:
- Work from home, if you can
- Carry out a COVID-19 risk assessment, in consultation with workers or trade unions
- Maintain 2 metres social distancing, wherever possible
- Where people cannot be 2 metres apart, manage transmission risk
Employers should look into putting barriers in shared spaces, creating workplace shift patterns or fixed teams minimising the number of people in contact with one another, or ensuring colleagues are facing away from each other. - Reinforcing cleaning processes
Workplaces should be cleaned more frequently, paying close attention to high-contact objects like door handles and keyboards. Employers should provide handwashing facilities or hand sanitisers at entry and exit points.
The Government has said that it will not hesitate to "put on the brakes" if its current measures result in a rise in virus transmission rates.
HOUSING SECTOR TO BE RE-OPENED
From today, renters and buyers can now move home in line with public health guidance. Estate agents and removal firms can now open and operate, with physical viewings for potential buyers.
Some key points:
- Estate agents should conduct more of their procedures online, such as virtual initial viewings
- Homeowners should leave their property when someone else is being shown around.
- Show homes can reopen as long as physical viewings are done by household appointment rather than as open showings.
- Houses should be thoroughly cleaned before viewing.
- Developers can ask for permission to extend site hours to at least 9 pm to accommodate staggered start times
You can also read the Housing Secretary's letter to MPs which sets out the points above here.
GUIDANCE FOR DISCRETIONARY COUNCIL GRANTS RELEASED
Last evening the Government released further guidance for the “Local Authority Discretionary Fund”. I have lobbied for this with the Government and have been corresponding daily with NLC for updates.
This is good news indeed - I know that NLC is looking very closely at the guidelines at the moment, let's give them some time to go through it first.
SELF-EMPLOYED
Individuals eligible for Income Support Scheme can start making claims today. Please make your claim on the date that HMRC gave you when checking eligibility to avoid a backlog.
KEY INDUSTRY UPDATES
MOVING HOME? New guidance published for home moving during Coronavirus.
URBAN CENTRES AND GREEN SPACES: Covid-Secure Guidance Released. Here’s the guidance for the public on spending time outdoors and accessing green spaces in particular.
HOLIDAY ENTITLEMENT AND PAY DURING CORONAVIRUS: This new government guidance will answer quite a few questions.
CONSTRUCTION: Safe Working Charter has been released by the Home Builders Federation in cooperation with the Ministry of Housing. This is on top of Third Version Standard Operating Procedures from the Construction Leadership Council.
TRADE CREDIT INSURANCE: The Government is temporarily guaranteeing that business-to-business transactions currently supported by Trade Credit Insurance will be maintained with government support.
Take care,
Holly