CORONAVIRUS – A MUST READ FOR BUSINESS OWNERS

Announced in yesterdays budget, the chancellor a created measures to provide support to businesses should the need arise due to coronavirus.  The Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme will enable businesses who turnover less than £41million to apply for a loan of up to £1.2 million, with the government covering up to 80% of losses with no fees.  Businesses with fewer than 250 employees who may have to provide 14 days of statutory sick pay to employees will be refunded by the government in full.  £2billion has been made available to cover the costs of large scale sick leave.

Under normal circumstances employees who are off work due to sickness have 3 waiting days which are the first 3 days of their sick leave with statutory sick pay only being paid to them on their 4th day of sickness, which is paid by the employer.  The government has announced that employees that are told to self isolate will get paid statutory sick pay from day one of their leave.

A helpline has be made available to help businesses and self employed people in financial distress and with outstanding tax liabilities receive support with their tax affairs.  If you are concerned about paying tax on time due to Coronavirus the HMRC number to call is 08000159559.

The government is also temporarily increasing the business rates retail discount in England to 100% for 2020-21 for properties below £51,000 rateable value.  Nearly half of all business properties will not pay any business rates.

What to do in your business.

  1.  Ensure all surfaces and objects are thoroughly cleaned with antibacterial cleaner on a regular basis.  Toilets, door handles, telephones are high contact areas that must be keep clean.
  2. All waste to be placed in a plastic rubbish bag and tied when full
  3. Wash your hands with soap and water often and use hand sanitizer gel if available
  4. HMRC strongly advise employers to use discretion around the need for medical evidence when an employee has been advised to self-isolate.
  5. Facemasks are not recommended to be worn to protect against the virus.

If yourself, an employee or client becomes unwell and they believe they have been exposed to Coronavirus the procedure is –

  1. Aim to isolate them in a separate room behind a closed door – if possible open a window for ventilation
  2. Call NHS 111 from a mobile or 999 if an emergency and outline current symptoms
  3. Remain at least 2 meters from other people and if a toilet is needed they are to use a separate one if available.
  4. Wait while they receive advice from NHS 111 or for an ambulance to arrive

Should you wish to get email alerts about Coronavirus you can do so by following the instructions in this link

Thankyou for taking your time to read this blog and we hope you stay unaffected.

The CDC Team