In Dudley borough
Please find below the latest guidance and resources for businesses and workplaces
National lockdown: Stay at Home
Coronavirus cases are rising rapidly across the country. Find out what you can and cannot do.
Certain businesses are required to close.
Businesses and venues which must close
Businesses and venues which can remain open
Useful links:
Financial support for businesses and workplaces
Local Restrictions Support Grant for closed businesses
Additional Restrictions Support Grant
Chancellor extends furlough and loan schemes
Tier 4 and National Lockdown grants: We are waiting for clarification from Government about what grants will be available to businesses which cannot operate normally due to national lockdown restrictions. We’re working as quickly as we can and will update here as soon as possible.
PLAY YOUR PART, PROTECT DUDLEY BOROUGH
Mental Health Resource Packs.
The pandemic has caused a lot of uncertainty, particularly for some workplaces. Changes and challenges such as the lockdowns, social distancing, disrupted routines, home schooling, upsetting news announcements, worry about loved ones are all impacting on our health and wellbeing.
Looking after our mental health has never been so important. As part of this year’s Blue Monday – Turning Dudley Green Campaign, mental health resource packs have been created to provide specific information and guidance for workplaces. Please follow this link to access your resource pack.
Coronavirus testing
It’s easy to get a test, local test centres are open in Dudley borough.
If you have coronavirus symptoms, no matter how mild, you need to get tested. Anyone who has symptoms of Covid-19 should immediately self-isolate for 10 days and book a test either online or by calling 119.
Recent figures suggest up to one in three people who have coronavirus have no symptoms.
From Wednesday December 16 selected pharmacies across the borough will be offering pre-booked COVID-19 tests for people with no symptoms.
Car sharing
If you are car sharing then you must not share the car with someone from outside your household or your support bubble unless your journey is undertaken for a legally permitted reason. For example, if car sharing is reasonably necessary as part of your work.
It is difficult to socially distance during car journeys. Where it is essential to car share, you can reduce the risk of transmission by:
- opening windows for ventilation
- travelling side by side or behind other people, rather than facing them, where seating arrangements allow
- facing away from each other
- considering seating arrangements to maximise distance between people in the vehicle
- cleaning your car between journeys using standard cleaning products - make sure you clean door handles and other areas that people may touch
- asking the driver and passengers to wear a face covering
Report a business
If you wish to report a business for not complying with the rules, please contact Citizen's Advice.
Face coverings
By law, staff and customers of retail settings are required to wear a face covering, unless they have an exemption.
Face coverings: when to wear one, exemptions, and how to make your own
Dudley Council have produced an exemption card for use by anyone with legitimate health reasons. This is available to download now to print or use on mobile devices.
Resources
You can view and download posters to display for both staff and customers to make them aware of coronavirus guidelines.
If you have trouble downloading them or require physical or translated copies please email: capa.admin@dudley.gov.uk.
National restrictions assets
National restrictions hands, face, space, test A4 poster
Coronavirus - act like you've got it A4 poster
View all of the posters here.
Download all posters via Dropbox
Travelling during Covid-19
Government guidance for passengers
Government guidance for operators
Hands, face, space
It is critical that everybody observes the following key behaviours:
- HANDS – Wash your hands regularly and for 20 seconds.
- FACE – Wear a face covering in indoor settings where social distancing may be difficult and where you will come into contact with people you do not normally meet.
- SPACE – Stay 2 metres apart from people you do not live with where possible, or 1 metre with extra precautions in place.
Support local
Join our campaign to support Dudley borough businesses.
Stay connected
If you want to receive the latest advice and support for your business sign up to our free email updates. It’s quick and easy and can be done here.
Pavement licenses
Temporary Licence applications for the hospitality industry to place tables and chairs on the public highway are now open. Find out more and apply here.
Health and wellbeing
Find guidance on staying well and supporting staff and colleagues with home working here.
Mental Health at Work have produced this guide: Remote working: a practical safety guide for businesses
See the CIPD Coronavirus (COVID-19) advice for UK employers
Skills and recruitment
Find out what support is available here.
Jobs advice and support for young people affected by Covid-19
Kickstart Scheme
Businesses are now able to sign up to be part of the landmark £2 billion Kickstart scheme, giving unemployed young people a future of opportunity and hope by creating high-quality, government-subsidised jobs across the UK.
Under the scheme, announced by Chancellor Rishi Sunak as part of his Plan for Jobs, employers can offer youngsters aged 16-24 who are claiming Universal Credit a six-month work placement.
The government will fully fund each “Kickstart” job - paying 100% of the age-relevant National Minimum Wage, National Insurance and pension contributions for 25 hours a week.
Kickstart Scheme opens for employer applications
Covid-19 isolation payment
From Monday 28 September, people in Dudley who have been told by the NHS to self-isolate, either because they have tested positive for coronavirus (COVID-19) or have been in contact with someone who has tested positive, may be entitled to some financial support (£500) during their self-isolation period. www.dudley.gov.uk/covidisolationpayment
Useful links
You can find further support and advice via the links below:
www.dudley.gov.uk/council-community/emergencies/is-your-business-prepared
www.businesssupport.gov.uk/coronavirus-business-support/
www.blackcountrychamber.co.uk/campaigns-projects/covid19-business-support