Dear Sir or Madam,
Covid 19 cases are rising rapidly in the whole of the UK and as you will be aware we have entered a new National Lockdown.
The key message to control the spread of Coronavirus is to ‘Stay at Home’. Employers should make arrangements for employees to work at home wherever possible.
There are new restrictions for businesses. Unless you are an essential retailer such as a; food shop, supermarket, pharmacy, building merchant, petrol station, vehicle repair/MOT garage, taxi business, bank, medical and dental service, or veterinary surgery you must close.
Businesses and venues which must close includes the following:
•Non-essential retail, such as clothing and homeware stores, car washes (except for automatic ones), betting shops, tailors, tobacco and vape shops, and mobile phone shops. These venues can continue to be able to operate click-and-collect (where goods are pre-ordered and collected off the premises) and delivery services.
•Hospitality venues such as cafes, restaurants, pubs, bars and social clubs; with the exception of providing food and non- alcoholic drink for takeaway (between 5am and 11pm). Between 11pm and 5am food and drink can be provided via pre ordered click-and-collect (the person collecting the items must not enter the premises), drive-through or delivery. Alcohol may only be provided via delivery services and the business must have the appropriate licence.
•Accommodation such as hotels, hostels, guest houses and campsites. Except for specific circumstances, such as where these act as someone’s main residence, where they cannot return home, for homeless people, or where it is essential to stay there for work purposes.
•Leisure and sports facilities such as indoor and outdoor leisure centres and gyms, swimming pools, fitness and dance studios, sports courts/grounds.
•Entertainment venues such as theatres, concert halls, cinemas, museums and galleries, casinos, bingo halls, bowling alleys, skating rinks, go-karting venues, soft play centres and areas.
•Personal care facilities such as hair, beauty, tanning and nail salons. Tattoo parlours, spas, massage parlours, body and skin piercing services must also close. It is also prohibited to provide these services in other peoples’ homes.
Full guidance on the new restrictions is available via the following link: lockdown-stay-at-home-guidance
The Government has announced additional support measures for businesses, more information on the support and how to apply for it can be found on our Slough Borough Council website here .
Local Authorities now have enhanced powers to issue Restriction Notices and Fixed Penalty Notices (on the spot fines) for various breaches of the legislation and so please be aware that both Council Officers and Covid Marshalls are making regular spot checks of businesses to check compliance.