C19 RETURNING TO BUSINESS UPDATE

by Rob Stokes

Published on 11th June 2020

HIGH STREET SHOPS, DEPARTMENT STORES AND SHOPPING CENTRES TO REOPEN IN ENGLAND

Shops in England selling non-essential goods will be able to reopen from Monday 15 June.

High street retailers and department stores, including book shops, electronics retailers, tailors, auction houses, photography studios, indoor markets, and shops selling clothes, shoes and toys, will be allowed to open their doors again provided they follow the COVID-19 secure guidelines set out by the government in May.

Retailers will need to take certain steps to protect customers and staff, including limiting the number of customers allowed inside at one time, placing protective coverings on large items such as sofas which may be touched by passing shoppers, and frequently checking and cleaning objects and surfaces.

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. In summary:

• All non-essential retail shops to reopen in England from Monday 15 June, provided they follow government guidelines to keep staff and customers as safe as possible
• the government issued detailed COVID-19 secure guidance for retailers and other sectors in May, following extensive consultation with businesses, trade unions and devolved administrations
• businesses should display a downloadable notice to inform customers and staff they have followed COVID-secure guidance

See: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/thousands-of-high-street-shops-department-stores-and-shopping-centres-to-reopen-safely-in-england?utm_source=c9eb05d7-a79d-4542-9de0-74563debe6cd&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=govuk-notifications&utm_content=immediate

PARENTS RETURNING TO WORK AFTER EXTENDED LEAVE ELIGIBLE FOR FURLOUGH

People on paternity and maternity leave who return to work in the coming months will be eligible for the government’s furlough scheme, HM Treasury announced 9 June.

In essence:

• Parents on statutory maternity and paternity leave who return to work in the coming months will be eligible for furlough scheme even after 10 June cut-off date
• Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme will close to new entrants at the end of June as new flexibilities are introduced to support economy
• This will only apply where they work for an employer who has previously furloughed employees
• This also applies to people on adoption leave, shared parental leave, and parental bereavement leave.

See: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/parents-returning-to-work-after-extended-leave-eligible-for-furlough?utm_source=55d26224-7200-4eed-b333-f3c4f11ce1f9&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=govuk-notifications&utm_content=immediate

TRAVELLERS EXEMPT FROM BORDER RULES IN THE UK

This guidance explains who will be exempt from new border rules in the UK introduced due to coronavirus.

Some travellers will be exempt from new border rules in the UK. This means they may not need to provide their journey or contact details or self-isolate for 14 days after they arrive.

There are different self-isolation rules and penalties depending on whether you are travelling to:

• England
• Scotland
• Wales
• Northern Ireland

If you are asked to show a letter from your employer, you do not need to show a physical copy. For example, you could show a Border Force official the letter on your smartphone.

See: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-travellers-exempt-from-uk-border-rules?utm_source=0442da9f-b07d-4769-a81c-9d2ae78cf98d&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=govuk-notifications&utm_content=immediate