COVID Update 63

The ‘Additional Restrictions Grant (discretionary) (ARG)’ is now live and can be found as the first item under ‘Grants for your Business’ at this link.

ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA

Eligible businesses:

• Businesses that qualify as either a micro or a small business (as defined in the Small Business, Enterprise and Employment Act 2015 and the Companies Act 2006.)
• To qualify as a small business, applicants must demonstrate at least two of the following criteria in a year.
  • Turnover: Not more than £10.2 million
  • Balance sheet total: Not more than £5.1 million
  • Number of employees: a headcount of staff of less than 50

Businesses are eligible, where one or more of the below statements apply:

• Non-rated businesses that have been mandated to close, but are ineligible to apply for a grant under the local restrictions support grant (closed) scheme
• Businesses which have previously been awarded grants under the small business grant fund (SBGF) or local authority discretionary grant fund (LADGF)
• Businesses that are NOT mandated to close, but are adversely impacted by national restrictions and/or other factors associated with COVID-19
• Businesses that have applied for the coronavirus job retention scheme (the so called furlough scheme) are eligible to apply for a grant under this scheme
• Businesses that are eligible for the self-employed income support scheme (SEISS) are eligible to apply for a grant under this scheme as well. The council will limit this to where there are specific business related fixed costs and the business is in our priority areas
• Businesses must have been trading on 4 November 2020 to be eligible to apply for a grant under the additional restrictions grant scheme

The council will need to see proof that any business making an application was trading on the 4 November 2020 and as such was NOT in administration, insolvent or where a striking off notice has been made.

Applicants to this scheme will be required to make a legal declaration that they meet the above eligibility criteria.

Here are some new regulatory updates from Central Government which may provide helpful Guidance for people who work in or run Shops, Branches, Stores or Similar Environments. Also, please check your Bank accounts daily (personal and business) especially if you have a debit card connected to them – there is currently a 30% increase in hacking and although your bank may credit you the stolen funds it will be an inconvenient process. (I can confirm this as my wife’s Business Bank Account has just been hacked - SW).

WHEN YOU HANDLE INCOMING GOODS
Today the Working Safely during COVID-19 guidance on Handling goods, merchandise and other materials with the objective to reduce transmission through contact with objects that come in the store was amended. See here for details.

PRIME MINISTER’S STATEMENT ON COVID-19
In his statement the Prime Minister announced that the NHS is preparing for a programme of mass vaccination for COVID-19. This will begin next week and the first phase will include care home residents, health and care staff, the elderly and those who are clinically extremely vulnerable.

IF YOU ARE TRAVELLING THIS CHRISTMAS
The Department for Transport have created Christmas travel assets which can be downloaded and used in social media activity or in other communications.

Also:​​​​​​

• Between 23 and 27 December, you may travel between tiers and other nations of the UK if necessary to meet with your Christmas bubble
• Anyone travelling to or from Northern Ireland may travel on the 22 and 28 December.
  
• As people consider whether to travel to see loved ones over the Christmas period, be prepared that journeys may be busier than usual.
• Whatever way you travel, you should plan your journey carefully, book ahead, consider quieter routes and be prepared for journeys to take longer than normal.
  
• When travelling, sanitise your hands regularly, wear a face covering unless exempt, and maintain social distancing.
  
• If you are driving, avoid sharing a car with people not in your household, Christmas or support bubble. Plan ahead and check your route before you travel.
• Follow local restrictions at your location for the Christmas period.

CYBER AWARE CAMPAIGN
The National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) has today (4 December) launched the Cyber Aware campaign – a major national advertising campaign that aims to help individuals and organisations to protect themselves online.

Cyber security is more important now than ever before, especially when so many of us will do our shopping online over this Christmas period.

At the heart of the Cyber Aware campaign is six practical steps that will protect you from the majority of the most common cyber attacks, including the threats posed from shopping online. These are:

• Create a separate password for your email
• Create a strong password using three random words
• Save your passwords in your browser
• Turn on two-factor authentication
• Update your devices
• Turn on backup

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Published by Hinckley BID – 04/12/2020

Steve Wegerif - 0770 939 4841 - steve@hinckleybid.co.uk

www.hinckleybid.co.uk

We are available 7 days a week during the Covid Pandemic.