COVID-19 Update 1st December 2020
- Updated Xmas Guidance
The Xmas guidance has been updated to provide a number of clarifications
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- Hotels, B&Bs and similar accommodation in tier 3 can open between 22 and 28 December in order for people to stay near their Christmas bubble. Customers can’t, however, you can stay in a hotel, as long as you’re staying by yourself or with other members of your household, or support bubble. You cannot gather as a Christmas bubble in the accommodation unless a member of the bubble lives there permanently.
- Christmas bubbles can stay together in self-catering accommodation
- Christmas bubbles can attend outdoor events together
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/guidance-for-the-christmas-period
The Christmas bubble guidance has also been updated accordingly and has specific guidance for accommodation providers who live onsite (eg B&B operators) to not mix with their Christmas bubble in any areas shared with customers such as the restaurant.
- New LRSG Guidance
BEIS has produced new LRSG (Closed) for Local Authorities to help them provide support for businesses that are required to close under the new Tier 2 or Tier 3 restrictions. The support available is:
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- £667 per 14-day period for businesses with a rateable value of £15,000 or under
- £1000 per 14-day period for businesses with a rateable value of £15,001 – £50,999
- £1500 per 14-day period for businesses with a rateable value of £51,000+
Other points to note:
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- Businesses have to be closed for the entire 14 day payment cycle period to receive the grant
- Businesses that are open and then close have to wait until the next 14 day payment cycle starts
- Businesses that are required to close their main, in-person service but adapts to operate takeaway, click and collect or online with delivery services are eligible
- Businesses need to notify the Local Authority if they are no longer eligible
- Updated Primary Guidance for Hotels and Other Guest Accommodation
The primary Guidance of Working Safely During Coronavirus for the accommodation sector has been updated to incorporate the new rules and restrictions that apply to within each Tier Level including holding business meetings and events. The guidance with regard to Business Events states:
In Tier 1 – Business meetings and events such as conferences, exhibitions, conventions, and consumer/trade shows are permitted at a cap of 50% of the venue’s capacity or 4000 people outdoors / 1000 people indoors, whichever is lowest.
In Tier 2 – Business meetings and events such as conferences, exhibitions, conventions, and consumer/trade shows are permitted at a cap of 50% of the venue’s capacity or 2000 people outdoors / 1000 people indoors, whichever is lowest.
However, it is important to note that multi-day events in Tiers 1 and 2 are not permitted, which will significantly reduce the viability of holding many exhibitions, trade shows and conferences.
- In Tier 3 – Large business events such as conferences, exhibitions and trade shows are not permitted (with the exception of drive-in events) but smaller business meetings, although advised against, can take place with up to 30 people if reasonably necessary.
- Prime Minister’s Statement
In a statement to parliament today, the Prime Minister announced a number of measures including:
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- A one-off December payment of £1000 to wet-led pubs
- The restrictions coming into effect tomorrow would be reviewed on 2nd February
- That Liverpool City Region and Warrington will be in Tier 2 tomorrow
- Lastminute.com to refund £7m
The Competition and Markets Authority issues a press statement today saying that it has reached an agreement with Lastminute.com that it will pay £7m to customers for cancelled holidays as part of their broader investigation on suspected breaches of consumer protection law in the package holiday sector.
https://www.gov.uk/cma-cases/covid-19-cancellations-package-holidays
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