Coronavirus (COVID-19): Business Advice
The following information has been developed by our Public Health and Regulation department to support local businesses (food and non-food) to operate safely during coronavirus (COVID-19). It covers food safety, health and safety and infection control, with links to the latest guidance from the government:
See also:
Making your workplace safe post lockdown
Following the government's gradual easing of COVID-19 lockdown measures, new guidance has been produced for businesses to ensure workplaces are safe for employees and customers.
The guidance is divided into 12 industry sectors. Each guide provides sector-specific information. This includes information conducting risk assessments and implementing social distancing measures in the workplace.
If your business operates more than one type of workplace (eg an office, a factory and a fleet of vehicles) you will need to read all of the guides that are relevant to you:
Close contact services
Businesses and venues that must remain closed to members of the public
Maintaining records of staff, customers and visitors to support NHS Test and Trace
See also: Reopening checklists (below)
Face coverings
The government has issued guidance and advice on face coverings:
The government also explains what face coverings are, their role in reducing the transmission of coronavirus (COVID-19), the settings in which they are recommended, how they should be safely used and stored, and how to make one:
Reopening our town centres
Adur & Worthing Councils are working with local businesses and partners, such as Sussex Police, Worthing TCI and traders' organisations to ensure our town centres can reopen safely to the public from 15th June 2020.
The emphasis is on individual businesses to make sure their premises are safe places for shoppers and workers.
A range of advice for businesses is available on the GOV.UK website.
Please also see our information film below:
In early June we wrote an open letter to traders and businesses outlining the challenges they have faced and the steps that are being taken to reopen town centres. The letter can be found here:
With the government lifting some restrictions on July 4, Adur & Worthing Councils is working with West Sussex County Council (WSCC) and other partners to encourage businesses to make use of the open spaces, where possible, in our town centre. This will make social distancing easier and minimise the risks to employees and customers while supporting our local economy.
Tables and chairs:
From the end of July the government is set to give Adur & Worthing Councils powers to support local businesses such as public houses, bars, cafes and restaurants to place tables and chairs outside their premises.
If you are interested in doing this, please contact the Councils' Licensing Unit on licensing.unit@adur-worthing.gov.uk
This will allow us to make sure you have the correct permit in place when legislation is eventually passed.
Alcohol sales:
Changes to the Licensing Act 2003 that are due to come into force at the end of July will allow licensed premises such as public houses, bars, cafes and restaurants to serve alcohol to customers seated in these designated outside areas.
Anyone looking for further information or guidance can contact the Councils' licensing team on licensing.unit@adur-worthing.gov.uk
Outdoor trading:
Adur & Worthing Councils has put in place temporary road closures in Montague Place, Portland Road and Montague Street west specifically to assist the small businesses in these areas and allow limited outside trading in accordance with social distancing guidelines.
The cafes, restaurants and bars in these areas are advised to consider how best they can use this opportunity to reopen successfully. To get advice on reopening a licensed premises and/or the use of the space outside your licensed premises contact the Councils' Licensing Unit on licensing.unit@adur-worthing.gov.uk
Eat Out to Help Out scheme:
Businesses looking to register interest in the Eat Out to Help Out scheme can find details and sign up at the following link:
Pavement licences guidance:
Reopening hospitality (pubs, restaurants, cafes)
West Sussex County Council recently wrote to all hospitality businesses in the area reminding them of steps that can be taken to keep customers and staff safe. This includes keeping a temporary record of contact details for customers and visitors to your establishment for 21 days.
You can read the letter below:
5 steps to working safely
The government has has produced practical actions for businesses to take based on 5 main steps. Each guide has specific actions for businesses to take based on these steps. Further guidance will be added as more businesses are able to reopen:
See also: Reopening checklists (below)
Checklist for businesses
To help you assess your ability to implement measures to ensure employee and public safety during this pandemic, the following checklists for businesses are available. If you are unable to implement the measures required to reduce the risk of transmission, you will need to consider closing your businesses:
Checklist for food businesses:
Checklist for all businesses:
Risk assessment checklist template:
If you would like help with completing these checklists, please get in touch with the Public Health and Regulation department. Please email: publichealth.regulation@adur-worthing.gov.uk or call us on 01903 221064.
Care homes
Specific guidance has been developed for care homes, with information about how to work safely during coronavirus (COVID-19):
The government has also launched an online portal for care homes to arrange delivery of Covid-19 test kits. All care home staff and residents are now eligible for testing with priority for those in homes that look after the over-65s:
- Government launches new portal for care homes to arrange coronavirus testing - on the GOV.UK website
The government has given guidance on visiting care homes during coronavirus
See also:
Food and food business specific advice
Reopening and adapting your food business during COVID-19
This guidance is for food businesses planning to reopen and operate during coronavirus (COVID-19). It contains information on hygiene and food safety requirements for employers, employees and the self-employed working in the food sector about how to operate safely:
Please also refer to this guidance for food businesses from the Food Standards Agency about allergen management:
See also: Reopening checklists (below)
Takeaways and food delivery
Food banks and community provision guidance for food banks, charities and volunteer organisations dealing with food
This guidance provides food safety information and guidance for individuals or groups wishing to prepare meals at home for their community. This can include preparing or donating meals for:
- those in self-isolation due to coronavirus (COVID-19) symptoms
- vulnerable groups who are being shielded
- community groups and local organisations
- NHS staff
Chartered Institute of Environmental Health (CIEH)
The CIEH have produced a range of resources relating to coronavirus (COVID‑19):
Drainage and cleaning advice for food businesses
Southern Water has produced some useful guidance for food businesses about how to clean and maintain kitchen equipment during a period of closure, and what you need to think about and do before you re-open:
Food processing and production settings
Health & Safety
Legionella guidance
As a result of businesses having to close and water systems being shut down during coronavirus (COVID-19), there is an increased risk of Legionella bacteria being present when the water system is switched back on. Businesses that could be affected include hotels, B&Bs, leisure centres, gyms, clubs, spas and hairdressers.
Covid-19 could also increase the risk of waterborne infections, including Legionnaires’ disease, in nursing and care homes.
These guides set out the requirements for Legionella control to avoid the potential for Legionnaires’ disease:
Vehicle safety and social distancing
This guidance from the HSE sets out the latest advice for drivers for maintaining social distancing while loading and unloading during deliveries and collections:
PPE
Social care and education
Adult social care workforce guide
This advice is for those working in adult social care on managing mental health. It provides advice on how you can manage your own mental health and how to take care of the wellbeing of staff at work during coronavirus (COVID-19):
Educational and childcare settings
The government has outlined plans for the wider opening of education and childcare settings from 1st June. This guidance provides further information about the plans, and what educational and childcare settings need to do to prepare. It can be read in conjunction with the updated guidance and advice about coronavirus (COVID-19) for staff, parents and carers, pupils and students:
- Actions for educational and childcare settings to prepare for wider opening from 1st June 2020 - on the GOV.UK website
- Coronavirus (COVID-19): guidance for schools and other educational settings - on the GOV.UK website
Staying safe outside your home
This latest guidance from the government sets out 11 principles for staying safe when outside of your home. It applies to everyone, including customers, visitors, employees or employers:
Contact the Public Health and Regulation department
If you need extra support or have any queries, please do not hesitate to contact Public Health and Regulation.
You can send us an email at: publichealth.regulation@adur-worthing.gov.uk
You can also give us a ring on telephone number 01903 221064.