Knapton Consulting Engineers have produced a report on the impact of different social distancing requirements on licensed premises that was produced for the Licensed Vintners Association. It compares the WTO recommended distancing of 1m with the UK Government’s 2m distancing to show the dramatic difference in the number of customers a property can accommodate under these different regimes. This severely impacts the business’s ability to generate revenue and therefore, its economic viability. This summary table is particularly important. This currently means keeping people 2m apart, although the industry lobby is aiming to reduce to reduce this to 1m. This means managing flows of people. This could be: – managing time (e.g. […]
The advice still stands that businesses providing holiday accommodation (including hotels, hostels, B&Bs, campsites, caravan parks, boarding houses, and short term lets) should remain closed for leisure related stays. No person should stay overnight away from their own home for a holiday or similar purpose. Included in the guidance is advice for businesses who provide holiday accommodation and how they can accommodate those required to self-isolate. Â From 8 June, certain individuals travelling from overseas will be required by law to self-isolate for a period of 14 days. Businesses providing holiday accommodation can provide rooms to those required to self-isolate because they have arrived in England from outside the UK, or […]
New cleaning protocols have been prepared for self-catering and short-term let properties by the Professional Association of Self-Caterers UK and the Association of Scotland’s Self-Caterers (ASSC) and Premier Cottages Ltd. The Wales Tourism Alliance, The Scottish Tourism Alliance and the Wales Association of Self-Catering Operators also provided input. These protocols will be updated as and when further information is provided by Government. https://www.pascuk.co.uk/standards
You can download the report from the link below. The Economy Infrastructure and Skills Committee has refocused its work to examine the impact of COVID-19. On 30 April the committee took evidence from representatives of businesses and trade unions on business and job support and worker safety. https://senedd.wales/laid%20documents/cr-ld13213/cr-ld13213%20-e.pdf
Businesses can now find out if they are eligible to apply for financial support from the next phase of the Welsh Government’s Economic Resilience Fund (ERF). The online eligibility checker has reopened today and businesses will be able to make applications for support from this phase of the fund by the end of the month. The ERF is designed to support businesses, social enterprises and charities, which are not eligible for other Welsh Government and UK Government support schemes. The next phase of the fund will enable businesses to access a further £100m of financial support. It is being targeted at microbusinesses, SMEs and large businesses of critical economic importance, […]
Further to the furore surrounding the article that appeared in the i the Forum asked for clarification on the First Minister’s position and have had the following from Visit Wales. “The comments reported do not reflect what the First Minister or Government said in regards to tourism. In fact, the First Minister reaffirmed our absolute commitment to the industry which is a backbone for the Welsh economy. The First Minister has been clear that this Government is committed to doing all we feasibly can to support the sector and to allow for a safe, phased reopening. “The feedback we’ve had from the tourism industry has been invaluable in helping to […]
As part of its investigation into Coronavirus (COVID-19) related business interruption insurance, the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) have published draft guidance on expectations for insurers and insurance intermediaries when handling claims and complaints for business interruption policies during the test case. The guidance highlights the steps firms should be taking to: identify the potential implications of the test case on decisions to reject claimskeep policyholders informed about the test case and its implications for policies, claims and any settlement offerstreat policyholders fairly when the test case is resolved https://www.fca.org.uk/publications/guidance-consultations/business-interruption-insurance-test-case-draft-firms In addition, the FCA have provided an update on where they are in terms of their legal case – they have […]
To help further clarify, no bookings can lawfully be honoured in respect of ‘stays’ during any restricted period, which is currently up to 18 June 2020 unless you are requested to re-open by the Local Authority or Welsh ministers for specific purposes only. As a reminder, businesses should also not be advertising availability during a restricted period. If you advertise via third party websites or the Online Travel Agencies, please take some time to review your entries on these sites and amend your availability accordingly. You are able to accept bookings or reschedule bookings that fall outside this restricted period, however, there is a risk the restrictions will remain in […]
From 1 July, employers can bring back to work employees that have previously been furloughed for any amount of time and any shift pattern, while still being able to claim CJRS grant for their normal hours not worked. When claiming the CJRS grant for furloughed hours employers will need to report and claim for a minimum period of a week. The scheme will close to new entrants from 30 June. From this point onwards, employers will only be able to furlough employees that they have furloughed for a full 3 week period prior to 30 June. This means that the final date by which an employer can furlough an employee […]
Plans to allow family and friends to meet outside have been unveiled by First Minister Mark Drakeford as the strict stay-at-home coronavirus (COVID-19) regulations are eased in Wales. From Monday, 2 households in the same local area will be able to meet outdoors. In doing this, however, people must follow social distancing and strict hand hygiene practices to control the spread of the virus.’Local’ means not generally travelling more than 5 miles from home to reduce the risk of coronavirus spreading from one area to another. The changes mean people can meet another household outdoors in their local area but all the other rules to protect people from coronavirus will […]