Coronavirus News
Further support announced for small businesses F
ollowing the announcement on Monday, January 4 that England and Scotland would be placed in lockdown, further support for small businesses has been unveiled. To support businesses through this period, Chancellor of the Exchequer, Rishi Sunak has announced £4.6bn of grant funding. This includes a one-off top-up grant for leisure, hospitality and retail businesses of up to £9,000.
They’ll be granted to closed businesses as follows: £4,000 for businesses with a rateable value of £15,000 or under. £6,000 for businesses with a rateable value between £15,000 and £51,000. £9,000 for businesses with a rateable value of over £51,000. A £594m discretionary fund is also being made available to support other businesses affected by the lockdown. As with the other grant funding, small businesses will need to apply through their local authority.
This new lockdown support is in addition to existing funding, as listed below.
Additional Restrictions Grant (ARG) Available for businesses that are not covered by other grant schemes or where additional funding is needed. Bounce Back Loan Scheme (BBLS) Loans of between £2,000 and £50,000, up to 25% of turnover. The government guarantees 100% of the loan with no fees
BSI issues new face mask requirements
B
SI has issued new specification on minimum performance requirements and test methods for community face coverings.
The new specification is designed to help UK manufacturers, testing houses, retailers and consumers to ensure single use and reusable face coverings are safe and fit for purpose.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, people are wearing face coverings to reduce the projection of exhaled air and the spread of infection. They are designed to offer protection for those around the wearer, but they can also limit penetration by respiratory droplets from another person into the wearer’s nose and mouth. A face covering can also minimise the amount wearers touch their nose and mouth. BSI brought together UK stakeholders to create an agreed specification for community face coverings. For speed, they built on an existing document, the CEN WORKSHOP AGREEMENT CWA 17553 (2020) Community face coverings – Guide to minimum requirements, methods of testing and use, and refocussed the document for the UK market.
The new specification aims to provide: Minimum performance requirements for manufacturers with regard to filtration and transmission, and use of materials. General information on single and multi-use face coverings, plus cleaning requirements for multi-use coverings. A method of test for testing houses. Reassurance for retailers and consumers. The Community Face Coverings – Specification does not cover PPE or medical face coverings, nor does it address DIY coverings or transparent face coverings.
To view the new standard visit
www.bsigroup.com | 18 | February 2021
or interest to pay for the first 12 months. After 12 months the interest rate will be 2.5% a year. Companies can now apply for a top-up in cases where they initially did not borrow the full amount available. Available until the end of March. Business rates relief Businesses in the retail, hospitality and leisure sectors in England will not have to pay business rates for the 2020-2021 tax year.
Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme (CBILS) Offers access to loans of up to £5m. 80% of the loan is guaranteed by the government. Government pays interest and any fees for the first 12 months. Available for businesses with annual turnover of up to £45m. Available until the end of March. Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (CJRS) 80% of employees’ monthly salary covered for hours not worked, up to a maximum of £2,500. Employees do not have to be furloughed full-time to qualify. Employers will have flexibility to use the scheme for employees for any amount of time or shift pattern, furloughing employees on either a full-time or part-time basis. No employer contribution for hours not worked, employers only have to cover National Insurance and employer pension contributions. Available until end of April 2021.
Alexandra wins £1m-plus contract to provide winter uniforms for COVID testing centre staff
A
lexandra has secured a £1m-plus winter uniform contract for staff at more than 100 Sodexo-managed drive and walk-through centres. That involves supplying around 80,000 items ranging from thermals, boots and body warmers to hi-vis jackets, coats and fleeces.
Janette Bowman, sales manager for national accounts at Alexandra, said: “This is a major order, the bulk of which is the
winter uniform replacements for people who will be outside in all weathers this winter helping in the frontline fight against coronavirus.
“The uniforms are going to all Sodexo-managed sites and, given the quantities and tight turnaround time, it has been a massive operation across the organisation and I am so proud of what our team has achieved. “We have worked closely with all our suppliers to ensure the quality and design requirements are met. Achieving this is a testament to the excellent relationships we have, in some cases built over many years but in others developed during the current pandemic.”
The largest network of diagnostic testing facilities created in British history now includes more than 78 drive-through and more than 200 walk-through Coronavirus testing sites, plus 258 mobile units. Neal Gisborne, Sodexo Healthcare divisional director, added: “We are proud to be playing our part in the national fight against COVID-19. Our employees are at the heart of our organisation so we wanted to ensure they were warm and comfortable as they help people across the United Kingdom in all weathers this winter.”
www.printwearandpromotion.co.uk
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72
