| COVID-19 guidance and support |
| Some of the rules on what you can and cannot do changed on 29 March. However, many restrictions remain in place. You should continue to work from home if you can, minimise the number of journeys you make where possible, and follow the COVID restrictions guidance. Visit the government website for the latest guidance and support, including:Recent and upcoming changesRoadmap out of lockdownWorking safely during COVID including guidance on making your workplace COVID-secureReopening businesses and venuesClosing certain businesses and venuesNHS Test and Trace in the workplaceMaintaining records of staff, customers and visitors to support NHS Test and Trace |
| Bristol-based business COVID webinar |
| We are holding a free webinar on Wednesday 7 April from 4pm to 5.30pm, for all Bristol-based retail, leisure, hospitality, and close contact businesses (such as hairdressers). The session will be an opportunity to discuss the latest restrictions and support available, including grants, with council officers. If you have an issue or question you would like to raise, please email business@bristol.gov.uk in advance so we can provide as much relevant information as possible. Register on Eventbrite for the Bristol-based business webinar now. |
| COVID spot checks on businesses |
| All businesses need to be COVID-secure to stop the spread of COVID-19. Public Protection teams at the council are working with the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) to carry out spot checks on businesses across Bristol, to make sure they have COVID-secure measures in place. Our officers will soon be calling and visiting businesses across all sectors and sizes. If you receive a call or visit, please help us to help you by working with our officers. Make sure your business is COVID-secure by following the guidance on GOV.UK |
| Free rapid flow tests for your employees |
| If you have 10 or more employees, from early April you’ll be able to 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. You must register by 11:59pm on 12 April 2021. If your business is closed or you cannot provide tests now, you should still register so you can order tests in the future. You can register to order tests if:Your business is registered in EnglandYour employees cannot work from homeRegister to order free rapid lateral flow COVID tests for your employees on GOV.UK. Do not use this service if you or your employees have symptoms. Anyone with symptoms should order a PCR test and stay at home. For smaller organisations or the self-employed who feel the workplace testing programme may not be practical, then yourself and employees can get regular tests at the Bristol Rapid Testing Centre, 17-18 Wellington Road, BS2 9DA. It’s open Monday to Friday from 9am to 8pm, and Saturday and Sunday from 9am to 5pm. You do not need to book an appointment. Visit our website for more information on rapid testing. |
| Pavement licence applications |
| Outdoor hospitality looks set to reopen on 12 April. All businesses, including cafes, pubs, bars and restaurants, must apply for a pavement licence from the council to use tables, chairs and other temporary furniture on the road or pavement directly outside their business premises. Having a licence ensures your insurance policy is valid while trading on the highway. To help streamline the application process please email business@bristol.gov.uk if your business needs to apply for all three of the following licences: – Pavement licence – Streetscape Canopy and Awning licence – Streetscape Electrical licence |
| Quick updates |
| • The Climate Action Programme offers a suite of events, resources and peer-to-peer learning opportunities to support organisations to reduce their carbon emissions, as part of Bristol’s efforts to tackle the climate crisis. Visit Eventbrite to book your place on the Climate Action Programme launch event on 7 April at 9.30am. • Film 2021 is a year-long programme of activity, celebrating the many aspects of Bristol’s film and moving image credentials. The programme is headed by Bristol Ideas and Bristol City of Film, and supported by the city’s film studios, cinemas, filmmakers and festivals. Visit the Bristol Film 2021 Facebook page to find out more about the events. • £339m was invested in Bristol’s tech sector in 2020, the third highest in the UK. Visit the Tech Nation website to see the key statistics and read Tech Nation’s 2021 Report. • Breaking Bread was a collaboration between some of Bristol’s most established hospitality venues and key events organisers. Running from July until October 2020 it provided much needed activity for the region’s hospitality sector and supply chains. Organisers have spent the winter months analysing the project’s impact ahead of reopening in 2021, with targets for improvements in all areas. Visit the Breaking Bread Bristol website to read the full 2020 impact report. • Liz Barclay, the newly appointed first female Small Business Commissioner, will crack down on delayed invoices, helping small businesses secure the payments owed to them and build a new culture of prompt payment, tackling the £23.4 billion owed in outstanding invoices. Visit the GOV.UK website to read more about the crack down on late payments. • The government has confirmed that extended opening hours for non-essential retail will continue, helping people return to our high streets safely. When they reopen shops will have the flexibility to open until 10pm from Monday to Saturday. Visit the government website for further information on extended opening hours. • EU, EEA or Swiss citizens or their family members resident in the UK by 31 December 2020, now have less than 100 days left to apply to the EU Settlement Scheme to ensure they can continue to live, work, study, access free healthcare and benefits here after 30 June 2021. |