Reopening your business or venue

The country has now moved to Stage 4 of the Government’s roadmap and many of the national lockdown restrictions we’ve been living with during the pandemic have lifted. This mean businesses and venues that have remained closed can reopen, and hospitality businesses such as pubs, restaurants and bars are no longer required to only provide table service or adhere to social distancing measures.

Find more information on the latest government guidance at: gov.uk/coronavirus

COVID-19 cases are continuing to rise in Camden and across London so we strongly advise you to be cautious and to keep following the ‘hands, face, space, fresh air and testing’ advice as closely as you can.

Steps to reopen your business or venue safely

While many national lockdown restrictions have lifted, COVID-19 is still very much part of our lives. As business owners and employers you still have a legal duty to manage risks from your business or venue to help keep staff and visitors safe.

1. Carry out a COVID-19 risk assessment and share this information with staff. Access the Health and Safety Executive’s risk assessment guidance at hse.gov.uk/coronavirus/working-safely
2. Encourage customers and visitors to check-in using NHS Test and Trace app. To download and print QR code posters for your business or venue at gov.uk/create-coronavirus-qr-poster
3. Encourage staff without symptoms to get lateral flow COVID-19 tests twice a week if coming into work.   For more information on testing visit camden.gov.uk/rapidtest
4. Identify poorly ventilated areas in your premises or venue and take steps to improve air flow
5. Put in place cleaning, hand washing and hygiene procedures
6. We recommend staff and customers continue to wear face coverings on public transport and when in busy indoor and outdoor spaces, unless exempt

View or download our reopening safely posters to put up in and outside your business here

Financial support

Find out more about:

• business grants
• the Government's furlough scheme
• self-employment grants
• business loans
• rent support for business tenants in council owned properties

NHS Test and Trace

To support outbreak management, businesses must request that all staff, customers and visitors check-in before entering a premises using the NHS Test and Trace smartphone application. If people do not have the NHS Test and Trace app, businesses must have an alternative system in place to collect name and contact details. To find out more and to create a NHS QR code for your business or venue, visit gov.uk/create-coronavirus-qr-poster

How to download a free NHS Test and Trace QR code poster

• Go to gov.uk/create-coronavirus-qr-poster and register your details including your name and email address.
• Enter the verification code sent to your email address into the web form and follow the instructions adding contact details for the person responsible for the venue.
• Once you have confirmed your details are correct you can download your venue’s QR poster. You will need to print copies for every entrance of your venue. If you have more than one venue, you will need a separate QR poster for each.

If your customers or visitors check-in using your NHS QR poster then they do not need to provide any further test and trace details to your staff. However, it is important that you continue to offer a manual option for recording visitor’s contact details for those without a smartphone or the app.

The NHS have released a set of Frequently Asked Questions to support both businesses and residents ahead of the launch of the NHS COVID-19 app. You can find these online at faq.covid19.nhs.uk. You can also find further information about the NHS COVID-19 app at camden.gov.uk/nhs-test-and-trace.

Self-isolating and supporting your staff

If you or a member of your staff develop symptoms of COVID-19, you must self-isolate and get tested via nhs.uk/coronavirus or by calling 119. This can help prevent the spread of the virus, keeping Camden safe and open for business. If a member of your staff does test positive or is told to self-isolate by NHS Test & Trace, we ask that you do all that you can to support them to stay at home.

Staff who are required to self-isolate may also be able access the Test and Trace Support Payment – a one-off payment of £500 to support people on low incomes to self-isolate. More information is on our website camden.gov.uk/apply-for-test-and-trace-support-payment