From 19 July, England has moved to Step 4 of the roadmap.
Step 4 of the roadmap means that there are no longer any Coronavirus restrictions in place in England.
All businesses may now open.
There are no longer limits on the number of people who can meet up in public places, venues or households.
We are working with North Tyneside Council to support businesses in the borough to get back to work in a safe way.
We are supporting businesses with the Government guidance and working with Forum members to provide peer-to-peer advice.
For more information on how to stay safe can be found on the Gov.uk website here
Operating Safely
Covid Secure Guidelines
Every sector must think about how they are going to socially distance staff and customers from themselves and each other.
There’s guidance available for close contact services; construction and other outdoor work; factories, plants & warehouses; heritage locations; hotels and other guest accommodation; other people’s homes; restaurants, pubs, bars and takeaway services; shops and branches; vehicles; and the visitor economy. This can all be found here.
Here’s some of the things you may not have thought about in preparation for re-opening…don’t forget to carry out a Covid-19 risk assessment and check the guidance for your sector on the Government website
Employers should also display a notice visibly in their shop windows or outside their store to show their employees, customers and other visitors that they have followed this guidance. Any business with over 50 employees is expected to display this. You can download the poster here
There is also a leaflet which shows steps to be taken at every stage of the roadmap for hospitality businesses, this can be found here
Reporting Outbreaks
The North Tyneside Council Public Health and Consumer Protection team can offer advice on workplace testing, action to prevent an outbreak and what to do if your business does experience an outbreak.
They would also urge businesses with two or more cases to report them to our Public Health team.
You can contact the team via emergencyplanning@northtyneside.gov.uk or by phoning 07813400000.
Outbreak Support Fund
North Tyneside Council are supporting closed businesses with a grant.
This grant is aimed at businesses affected by staffing shortages due to an outbreak of Covid-19. Eligible businesses must have premises that are normally open to the public and a minimum of 3 staff.
Detailed criteria and online application form available here.
Videos
A number of short animations have been developed regionally to assist businesses to reopen safely from 12 April 2021 https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLz3yV2kde1-NDkSAeU1LjjUxWAm21JwLP
Public Health Support
North Tyneside Council’s Public Health and Consumer Protection teams continue to be available to provide free advice and support to help businesses operate safely through the pandemic.
The Consumer Protection team is also on hand to provide advice on the Government’s latest regulations, ensuring businesses are operating safely. Contact them via CorrespondenceUnit@northtyneside.gov.uk or call (0191) 643 7477.
Testing for Employees
Every sector must think about how they could control an outbreak of Covid-19 in employees, and how the business will manage if staff are self-isolating.
There are a range of testing options available for businesses.
Less than 10 employees
Employees can get a rapid lateral flow test if you’re in England and do not have symptoms.
They’re free and you get a result 30 minutes after taking the test.
The local test centre is at the Riverside Centre, bookings can be made here
More than 10 employees
You can order free rapid lateral flow tests to test your employees twice a week in the workplace.
You can order tests for your employees to collect from their workplace and use at home twice a week. You can do this if you cannot provide testing in the workplace. https://www.gov.uk/get-workplace-coronavirus-tests
We Offer Testing Endorsement Scheme
The We Offer Testing to our Staff (WOTTOS) endorsement scheme is a simple and free voluntary promotional scheme for firms who are participating in the government’s free coronavirus (COVID-19) workplace testing programme and offer regular twice weekly testing to their staff. The scheme showcases those organisations that offer regular testing for their employees through displaying an easily recognisable and NHS Test and Trace branded physical and/or virtual sticker. More information can be found here
Local Outbreak Plan
North Tyneside Council recently published an outbreak control plan for North Tyneside. The plan sets out how North Tyneside is working together to prevent outbreaks in the borough and if North Tyneside should experience an outbreak how they will respond.
You can find a letter to businesses here and an Action Card for businesses here
Support not report
We’re asking members of the public to also support businesses as they adapt to the new challenges of reopening. So, if you visit a business, whether that’s a shop, office, factory, and see a mistake around social distancing, or PPE, for example, don’t take photos and ‘shame’ them on social media. Instead speak to staff or the owner and let them know your concerns. Support them. Don’t report them.
Everything is new to businesses when reopening and business owners are trying their best to make it safe for everyone and run their business. Let’s help each other. *Of course if it is a big issue, do report it through the appropriate channels.
