Following consultation with our partners at VisitBritain please find below an update on COVID-19. Please do feed this back to us by email with an updates on how your business has been impacted at membership@makeityork.com. We will then pass this intelligence onto the local, regional and national level. Importantly, this means that we can inform VisitBritain and DCMS so they can continue to feed in tourism concerns to Government.
You can find out more about our Recovery Marketing Campaign, and how to get involved here.
Latest Restrictions Update
On 12 October, the Prime Minister made a statement to the House of Commons. The announcement sets out how the Government plans to standardise and simplify local lockdown measures, by introducing a three tiered system of local COVID Alert Levels in England - set at medium, high, and very high. You can view the areas in England listed as local COVID alert level high and local COVID alert level very high and the postcode checker on GOV.UK.
Please see below for more details and guidance on each alert level:
Local COVID Alert Level - Medium
Covering most of the country - this will consist of the current national measures, which came into force on 25 September. For areas where national restrictions continue to be in place, this means:
- All businesses and venues can continue to operate in a COVID-Secure manner, other than those that remain closed in law, such as nightclubs.
- Certain businesses selling food or drink on their premises are required to close between 10pm and 5am.
- Businesses and venues selling food for consumption off the premises can continue to do so after 10pm as long as this is through delivery service, click-and-collect or drive-thru.
- Schools, universities and places of worship remain open.
- Weddings and funerals can go ahead with restrictions on the number of attendees.
- Organised indoor sport and exercise classes can continue to take place, provided the Rule of Six is followed.
- People must not meet in groups larger than six, indoors or outdoors.
See the guidance and restrictions for areas where the Local COVID Alert level is Medium.
Local COVID Alert Level - High
This is for areas with a higher level of infections. The “high” alert level will reflect many current local interventions, but there will now be consistency across the country. This means the following additional measures are in place:
- People must not meet with anybody outside their household or support bubble in any indoor setting, whether at home or in a public place.
- People must not meet in a group of more than six outside, including in a garden or other space.
- People should aim to reduce the number of journeys they make where possible. If they need to travel, they should walk or cycle where possible, or to plan ahead and avoid busy times and routes on public transport.
Most areas which are already subject to local restrictions will automatically move into the “high” alert level. As a result of rising infection rates Nottinghamshire, East and West Cheshire and a small area of High Peak will also move into the “high” alert level. It has been reported on 14 October that York is now on 'High' alert level.
See the guidance and restrictions for areas where the Local COVID Alert level is High.
Local COVID Alert Level - Very High
This is for areas with a very high level of infections. The Government will set a baseline of measures for any area in this local alert level. Consultation with local authorities will determine additional measures.
The baseline means the below additional measures are in place:
- Pubs and bars must close, and can only remain open where they operate as if they were a restaurant - which means serving substantial meals, like a main lunchtime or evening meal. They may only serve alcohol as part of such a meal.
- Wedding receptions are not allowed.
- People must not meet with anybody outside their household or support bubble in any indoor or outdoor setting, whether at home or in a public space. The Rule of Six applies in open public spaces like parks and beaches.
- People should try to avoid travelling outside the ‘Very High’ area they are in, or entering a ‘Very High’ area, other than for things like work, education, accessing youth services, to meet caring responsibilities or if they are in transit.
- People should avoid staying overnight in another part of the UK if they are resident in a ‘Very High’ area, or avoid staying overnight in a ‘Very High’ area if they are resident elsewhere.
Local Authorities in the Liverpool City Region will move into the “very high” alert level from Wednesday. In addition, to pubs and bars in Merseyside and the Liverpool City Region, gyms, dance studios, leisure centres, betting shops, adult gaming centres and casinos will also close.
See the guidance and restrictions for areas where the Local COVID Alert level is Very High.
Government guidance for tourism businesses
The guidance is aimed at business owners, operators and workers:
- From 18 September, hospitality venues in England are legally required to enforce the rule of six or face a fine of up to £4,000. Also these venues will also be legally required to log details of customers, visitors and staff for NHS Test and Trace and from Thursday 24 September they are required to display official NHS QR code posters under law and use the new NHS COVID-19 app, launched on 24 September.
- Hotels and other guest accommodation (including self-catering accommodation, B&Bs, hostels, camping, holiday homes, caravan parks, boats and other types of accommodation including short-term letting). This guidance should be read in conjunction with the working safely in hotels and other accommodation guidance.
- Indoor and outdoor attractions (e.g. arcades, walking tours, theme parks, family entertainment centres, static funfairs, zoos and aquariums). The events and entertainment guidance may also be useful for attractions that move around (e.g. roving funfairs) to be published shortly.
- Business events and consumer shows (e.g. events taking place in meetings, conference, convention and exhibition centres) Business conferences, events, exhibitions and trade fairs are not currently allowed to take place in England.
- See the updated guidance for restaurants, pubs and bars.
- Also see guidance for people who work in or run shops, branches, stores or similar environments.
Guidance on working safely during COVID-19 in England has been updated following the national measures announced for:
The visitor economy guidance has also been updated. We specifically wanted to highlight:
- Coach Tours: If it is possible to ensure that groups of more than six (or larger if they are from one household) do not mingle on a tour, it can go ahead. People must stay in their own group on all parts of the tour - for example whilst in hospitality settings and when visiting attractions as well as whilst on the coach. Legislation does not place any capacity constraints on public transport services, private hire vehicles or leisure tours. Operators should continue to provide COVID Secure transport services which can accommodate multiple groups of six people. DfT will update the transport guidance shortly to clarify and assist passengers and operators.
- Guided tours: If it is possible to ensure that groups of more than six (or larger if they are from one household) do not mingle on a guided tour, it can go ahead. People must stay in their own group at all times throughout the tour. Tours may take place indoors or outdoors provided businesses undertake risk assessments in line with this guidance document and put any necessary mitigations in place.
‘We’re good to go’ - new industry standard launched
The ‘We’re Good To Go’ industry standard and supporting mark means businesses across the sector can demonstrate that they are adhering to the respective Government and public health guidance, have carried out a COVID-19 risk assessment and check they have the required processes in place.
The scheme is free to join and open to all businesses across the sector.
To obtain the mark businesses must complete a self-assessment through Visit Britain's online platform including a check-list confirming they have put the necessary processes in place, before receiving certification and the ‘We’re Good To Go’ mark for display in their premises and online.
Funding & Business support
- Businesses can now check if they are eligible for the Local Restrictions Support Grant (LRSG). The grant is for businesses that were open as usual, providing services in person to customers from their business premises, but which were then required to close for at least 3 weeks due to local lockdown restrictions imposed by government. The grant is for businesses that pay business rates on their premises. Local councils may at their discretion also provide funding for businesses that don’t pay business rates.
- The new Job Support Scheme starts in November (for six months) to subsidise wages for staff on shorter hours and has been expanded to support businesses that are asked to close due to restrictions by covering two thirds of each employees’ salary. The current furlough scheme will continue until the end of October.
- Those businesses legally required to close can claim a cash grant of up to £3,000 per month depending on the value of their business premises, the grants can be used to cover any business costs.
- Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme guidance updated. Guidance has been published outlining the changes to the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme following the Chancellor’s announcement on 29 May. These include:
- From 1 July employers can only claim for employees who have previously been furloughed for at least 3 consecutive weeks between 1 March–30 June.
- Flexibly furlough employees, meaning employees can come back to work for any amount of time and any work pattern.
- Still be able to claim the furlough grant for the hours your flexibly furloughed employees do not work, compared to the hours they would normally have worked in that period
- From 1 August, the level of the grant will be slowly reduced. No grant will be available for Class 1 employer NICs or pension contributions from 1 August although these contributions will remain payable by the employer.
- From 1 September, you will also be asked to contribute towards the cost of your furloughed employees’ wages to ensure they continue to receive at least 80% of their wages for the time they’re on furlough. Find more information on how the amount of grant available through the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme is changing.
- The Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme (CBILS) extended to ensure all viable small businesses affected by COVID-19, rather than just those unable to secure regular commercial financing, will now be eligible should they need finance to keep operating during this difficult time - Read more
- The UK Government’s Business Support Website has a list of upcoming webinar events from Government and non-government partners. This includes webinars from HMRC, you can also watch a video of HMRC’s webinar on the HMRC YouTube channel Coronavirus – (COVID-19): helping employers to support employees.
- Update on the deferral of VAT payments due to coronavirus (COVID-19) page, clarifying that import VAT payments are not included.
- FAQ page has been added to guidance to help local authorities and partners deliver activities supported through the Reopening High Streets Safely Fund.
- The Government has announced that Trade Credit Insurance, which provides cover to business-to-business transactions, will receive up to £10 billion of government guarantees.
- The Government has announced the new Reopening High Streets Safely Fund, making £50 million available for councils to support the safe reopening of local high streets and other public spaces. More here.
- Updates made to the Coronavirus (COVID-19): apprenticeship programme response guidance including new information on continuing training and end point assessment for furloughed apprentices, and pausing new funding audits.
- The Government has announced that Working Tax Credits payments will be increased from 6 April 2020. As part of a number of measures to support the country during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, the basic element of Working Tax Credit has been increased by £1,045 to £3,040 from 6 April 2020 until 5 April 2021.
- A number of other measures have been introduced, full details can be found here:
- All retail, hospitality and leisure businesses in England will receive a 100% business rates holiday for the next 12 months.
- Increase in grants to small businesses eligible for Small Business Rate Relief from £3,000 to £10,000.
- Further £25,000 grants to retail, hospitality and leisure businesses operating from smaller premises, with a rateable value over £15,000 and below £51,000.
- Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden has announced details of a Cultural Renewal Taskforce, with representatives from the arts, culture and sports, aimed at helping to get the country’s recreation and leisure sector up and running again
Tourism Industry Campaigns to get involved in
- The Professional Association for Self-Caterers UK is sharing regular COVID-19 updates and advice for self-catering businesses including Government information and support, deferring bookings and other tips. Businesses can sign-up to their newsletter on the PASC website.
- ABTA is calling for industry-wide action to ‘Save Future Travel’. Individuals and businesses can get involved by visiting savefuturetravel.co.uk and emailing their local MP to highlight industry asks. The online system is automated so it’s very easy and quick to use. ABTA also want supporters to use social media to contact their local MPs and Government Ministers using #savefuturetravel and calling for action.
- Tourism Alliance, The British Holiday & Home Parks Association and UKHospitality have been leading a new social media campaign to #ProtectTourismJobs. The campaign is to raise awareness and give a voice to tourism businesses and professionals who are suffering due to COVID-19. Key areas that are being focussed on include helping ensure seasonal workers are included in the furlough scheme, broadening the furlough scheme to include essential maintenance and security staff and making sure businesses survive the winter period. You can join the conversation on twitter using #ProtectTourismJobs
- As the tourism delivery partner for the GREAT campaign, VisitBritain have developed a £5 million UK-wide domestic marketing campaign to inspire consumers to travel and enjoy the country’s amazing tourism offer from this autumn. They offer businesses and destinations the opportunity to be part of this multi-million pound domestic marketing campaign. Escape the Everyday will reassure consumers and build their confidence to book travel across the nations and regions by tapping into their pent-up desire to escape and for freedom following months of lockdown. The campaign will highlight UK's unique tourism offer by focusing on three key themes – Discovery, Freedom to Explore and Treat Yourself. Content will showcase both our vibrant cities and breath-taking countryside and coastal locations that make the UK a brilliant place to explore this autumn and winter. Find out how to get involved here
- Learn more about our Tourism Recovery Marketing Camoaign and find out how you can get involved in promoting York in a safe way.
