NEW:Yesterday, the Prime Minister made a statement on coronavirus which you canfind here.

NEW: Stay at home guidance. The guidance for people with confirmed or possible coronavirus infection has been updated. If a person has symptoms of coronavirus infection however mild, the person should not leave home for 7 days from when the symptoms started. After 7 days, if the person feels better and no longer has a high temperature, the person can return to their normal routine. If the person has not had any signs of improvement and have not already sought medical advice, the person should contact NHS 111 online at 111.nhs.uk or call NHS 111. Cough may persist for several weeks in some people, despite the coronavirus infection having cleared. A persistent cough alone does not mean the person must continue to self-isolate for more than 7 days. Find the updated guidance here.

NEW:For individual businesses, the first port of call for advice andsupport is gov.uk. However, we are also scaling up our Business SupportHelpline so businesses in England, of all sizes, can pick up the phone andspeak directly to an advisor (Devolved Administrations have their ownequivalent services in place). The number tocall is: 0300 456 3565

NEW: HMRC have launched a tax helpline to helpbusinesses concerned about paying their tax due to coronavirus (COVID-19). Findall the information here.The number is 0800 0159 559.

NEW: Companies House has produced guidance ifcoronavirus (COVID-19) has affected your company and you need more time to fileyour accounts. Find all the information here.

NEW:Guidance for British people living or travelling overseas followingthe outbreak of coronavirus (COVID-19). Find the update guidance here.

Online resources for businesses and employers 

Forthe latest information and advice, employers andbusiness owners should visit guidance foremployees, employers and businesses. Check the pageregularly for updates and subscribe to receive emailalerts.   

Information includes: 

• Guidance on advice to provide to staff including: how to help prevent spread of COVID-19; whatto do if someone suspected or confirmed to have COVID-19 has been in aworkplace setting; advice to give to individuals who have travelled to specificareas; and advice for the certification of absence from work resulting fromCOVID19 
• Information onthe supportavailable to businesses impacted by COVID-19 
• ACAS has published information for employees and employers, including information on simplesteps to help protect the health and safety of staff, sick pay and absence fromwork 

Business Support announced in the Budget 

The Chancellor announced a packageof measures to provide support for public services, individualsand businesses affected by Covid-19. 

Anew Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme, deliveredby the British Business Bank, will enable businesses with a turnover of no morethan £41m to apply for a loan of up to £1.2m, with the Government covering upto 80% of any losses with no fees. This will unlock up to £1 billion pounds toprotect and support small businesses.  

Forbusinesses with fewer than 250 employees, the cost of providing 14 daysof statutory sick pay per employee will be refunded by theGovernment in full. This will provide 2 million businesses with up to £2bn tocover the costs of large-scale sick leave.  

Adedicated helpline has been set up to help businesses andself-employed individuals in financial distress and with outstanding taxliabilities receive support with their tax affairs. Throughthis, businesses may be able to agree a bespoke Time to Payarrangement.  

There will be a £3,000 cash grant to 700,000 of the UK's smallest businesses, delivered by Local Authorities, and worth a total of £2bn.  

Finally,the Government is temporarily increasing the Business Rates retaildiscount in England to 100% for 2020-21 for properties below £51,000rateable value. 

Public Health Advice – Business Continuity  

The Government currently advises businesses to continueto operate as usual. There?is?presently no reason businesses orindividuals should stop carrying out their daily activities asthey normally would.? 

• There iscurrently no need to close your workplace, cancelmeetings or large-scale events or initiate workingfrom home.  
• There is no need toclose your workplace or send other staff home if a suspected case has recentlybeen in your workplace, unless you have been directed to do so by the localPublic Health England Health Protection Team. 
• Businesses are notbeing advised to cancel travel, except to at risk regions. FCO traveladvice remains under constant review and the latest guidance can be found here.  
• Employeesshould continue to follow existing risk assessments and safe systems of work.There is no perceived increase in risk for handling post or freight fromspecified areas.  
• Sector specificguidance for care professionals, workers in education and other affectedsectors is available on GOV.UK and updated regularly.  

Businesses should check for daily updates atGOV.UK and subscribeto receive email alerts to ensure they are acting on themost up to date information. 

Request for business intelligence: How is COVID-19impacting businesses? 

The Government is closely monitoring developments in relation to potential economic impacts on the UK economy and individual?businesses and supply chain and we are keen that?businesses feed back any specific concerns.? 

For business advice queries, please visit the latest GOV.UK guidance.

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