Businesses
We are experiencing a high volume of calls at Newham Business Desk so it may take longer than usual to get back to you. We will endeavour to respond to you as soon as possible but if you are unable to get through to us, please leave us a message on the phone or in the first instance please email us at OurNewhambande@newham.gov.uk. We thank you in advance.
Keeping your customers and visitors safe
For smaller, lower risk businesses, enforced for health and safety by local authorities and who don’t have dedicated health and safety advice we suggest using the guidance and templates from the Health and Safety Executive.
Living with COVID-19 Safely
Stay safe
- Face masks are advised but not required in public indoor venues.
- Use outside space where practical.
- Open windows and doors for fresh air into indoor spaces.
- Ensure any mechanical ventilation system is set to maximise fresh air and minimise air recirculation.
- Wash hands and clean surfaces regularly.
- Update risk assessments.
Stay home
- It is no longer a legal requirement to self-isolate if people test or have COVID-19 symptoms.
- Close contacts are not required to isolate.
- If employees have COVID-19 symptoms they are advised to stay at home for 10 days, until their symptoms end.
- Businesses should support employees to self-isolate.
- Ensure employees and customers who feel unwell do not come in.
- Pay your employees where you can, including using statutory sick pay.
- It is possible to end self-isolation after 5 full days, following two negative lateral flow tests (LFT) taken 24 hours apart on day 5 and 6. The first LFT should not be taken before the fifth day. Find out more on the government website.
- Information about support to isolate including food, money, befriending and more can be found on our COVID-19 Support webpage. For more information, contact the COVID-19 Helpline on 020 7473 9711 between 9am and 7pm every day or email covidhelp@community-links.org
Get tested
- Free testing is no longer available in the UK except for a few high risk groups.
- It is advised that employees take a lateral flow test (LFT) regularly if possible.
- PCR tests are no longer required if employees have COVID-19 symptoms. Employees can take a lateral flow test (LFT) to confirm if they have COVID-19 when they are displaying symptoms, however it is best to assume it is COVID-19.
Get vaccinated
- Encourage employees to get their vaccines – first, second and booster doses. You will need all the doses, including a booster, to get the best protection form the worst effects of COVID-19.
- Give employees time off to get their vaccine if they need it.
- Provide sick pay to employees who have side effects.
- You can book by calling 119 or by using the NHS booking service, which now allows those eligible for a booster vaccine to pre-book their vaccine five months after their second dose. Find out more at www.newham.gov.uk/bookyourvaccine
Be kind
- Look after yourself and those around you – see www.newham.gov.uk/healthylife for more information.
- Support each other and check how people in the team are doing.
- Refresh employee training around COVID-19 controls.
- Understand that some people will require their responsibilities to be adjusted if they are affected by the impact of COVID-19 long term.
Coronavirus business support grants
COVID-19 Additional Relief Fund
- On 16 December 2021 the Government announced a new COVID-19 Additional Relief Fund (CARF) of £1.5 billion. The fund will be available to support those businesses affected by the pandemic but that are ineligible for existing support linked to business rates.
Hospitality Support Grant
- On 21 December 2021 the Chancellor announced a £1billion fund to support businesses in the hospitality sector as the UK tackles rising cases of the Omicron variant. We are currently waiting for details on funding allocations and will update you as soon as we have more information.
For additional information on wider business support measures please visit our support for businesses website page