{"id":3735,"date":"2020-05-26T14:13:12","date_gmt":"2020-05-26T14:13:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sloane.co.uk\/finance\/blog-post\/how-to-reopen-your-small-business-post-lockdown-what-we-know-so-far\/"},"modified":"2020-06-10T14:43:10","modified_gmt":"2020-06-10T14:43:10","slug":"how-to-reopen-your-small-business-post-lockdown-what-we-know-so-far","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sloane.co.uk\/finance\/blog-post\/outlook-blog-post\/how-to-reopen-your-small-business-post-lockdown-what-we-know-so-far\/","title":{"rendered":"How to reopen your small business post lockdown \u2013 what we know so far"},"content":{"rendered":"<section class=\"article-content post-content\" id=\"article-content\">\n<p><strong>UPDATED:<\/strong> Boris Johnson has outlined the first tentative steps to reopen small business, including the phased reopening of shops and hospitality.<\/p>\n<p>\t    \t<!-- \/14181245\/TEST-INPAGE-TEXTAD_4 --><\/p>\n<div class=\"inpage-ad\">\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-1498568931895-4\">\n\t\t\t<!-- CALLED --><\/p>\n<p>\t\t\t\t\tgoogletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display(&#8216;div-gpt-ad-1498568931895-4&#8217;); });<br \/>\n\t\t\t\t<!-- post CALLED -->\n<\/div><\/div>\n<ul>\n<li>Shops will be able to reopen on June 15<\/li>\n<li>Some hospitality services may be allowed to re-open from July<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>In his announcement last night (May 25), Boris Johnson also said that outdoor markets and car showrooms will be able to open no earlier than June 1 as long as they have social distancing measures in place.<\/p>\n<p><strong>&gt;See also: <a href=\"https:\/\/smallbusiness.co.uk\/what-is-the-average-cost-of-fit-out-my-shop-for-coronavirus-2550339\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">What is the average cost of fitting out my shop for coronavirus?<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Non-essential outlets include:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Clothes and shoe shops<\/li>\n<li>Toy shops<\/li>\n<li>Furniture shops<\/li>\n<li>Auction houses<\/li>\n<li>Tailors<\/li>\n<li>Photography studios<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>The Prime Minister said he was putting the retail sector \u201con notice\u201d, with new safety guidance in the process of being <a href=\"https:\/\/www.gov.uk\/guidance\/working-safely-during-coronavirus-covid-19\/shops-and-branches\">published<\/a>. This gives stores three weeks to introduce measures which will protect customers who may be feeling uneasy about shopping post-lockdown.<\/p>\n<p>As with stores that have been open during lockdown, businesses will be encouraged to put up signs reinforcing social distancing rules and local authorities will be doing spot checks.<\/p>\n<p>Customers will be encouraged to use hand sanitiser and to avoid touching items while they\u2019re browsing. Fitting rooms will be shut and stores will be required to hold returned stock for 72 hours before putting it back on sale. There will also be protective coverings on items that will be regularly touched like beds and sofas.<\/p>\n<p>Bosses could be fined or jailed for up to two years for persistent breaches of social distancing rules.<\/p>\n<p>Details of these measures are expected to be confirmed on Thursday, May 28.<\/p>\n<div id=\"suggestvplayer\"><\/div>\n<p>Responding to the announcement, Helen Dickinson, chief executive of the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.brc.org.uk\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">British Retail Consortium<\/a>, said: \u201cWe welcome the announcement of the government\u2019s road map for reopening a broader range of shops next month, which provides much needed clarity on the route ahead.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cNow that we know which shops can open and when, retailers can begin communicating their plans with their workforces and customers. The industry stands ready to play its part in getting the economy moving again.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>The cabinet also discussed rules that would relax social distancing rules by the end of next month so that people can meet up for outdoor gatherings like barbeques, picnics and garden parties.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/smallbusiness.co.uk\/ukhospitality-sets-out-draft-guidance-for-businesses-post-lockdown-2550389\/\">Pubs, clubs and restaurants will be closed until at least July<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>Shops planning to reopen post June 15 could badge themselves \u201cCOVID-19 Secure\u201d by following guidelines shortly to be published by government after consultation with business groups and others.<\/p>\n<p>By July, the government would like to see remaining small businesses that have been forced to close, including hairdressers and beauty salons, pubs and hotels and cinemas also reopen.<\/p>\n<p>But any phased re-opening of small businesses will be reversed if the rate of coronavirus infection creeps back upwards \u2013 as is already being seen in Germany and South Korea, which have loosened up their own lockdowns.<\/p>\n<h3>COVID-19 Secure \u2013 what does it mean?<\/h3>\n<p><span>\u00a0<\/span><span>The government has published documents covering\u00a0<\/span><span>eight<\/span><span> business sectors setting out what small business owners can do to ensure their businesses protect employees and customers against COVID-19. <\/span><span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span>\u00a0<\/span><span>They call this being \u201cCOVID-19 secure\u201d and small businesses can display badging <\/span><span>that they have followed guidance. Partly it is a reassurance exercise for employees and customers.\u00a0<\/span><span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span>\u00a0<\/span><span>The eight business sectors covered are:\u00a0<\/span><span>\u00a0<\/span><span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.gov.uk\/guidance\/working-safely-during-coronavirus-covid-19\/construction-and-other-outdoor-work\"><span>Construction and other outdoor work<\/span><br \/><\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/www.gov.uk\/guidance\/working-safely-during-coronavirus-covid-19\/factories-plants-and-warehouses\"><span>Factories, plants and warehouses<\/span><br \/><\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/www.gov.uk\/guidance\/working-safely-during-coronavirus-covid-19\/labs-and-research-facilities\"><span>Labs and research facilities<\/span><br \/><\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/www.gov.uk\/guidance\/working-safely-during-coronavirus-covid-19\/offices-and-contact-centres\"><span>Offices and contact centres<\/span><br \/><\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/www.gov.uk\/guidance\/working-safely-during-coronavirus-covid-19\/homes\"><span>Other people\u2019s homes<\/span><br \/><\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/www.gov.uk\/guidance\/working-safely-during-coronavirus-covid-19\/restaurants-offering-takeaway-or-delivery\"><span>Restaurants offering takeaway and delivery<\/span><br \/><\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/www.gov.uk\/guidance\/working-safely-during-coronavirus-covid-19\/shops-and-branches\"><span>Shops and branches<\/span><br \/><\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/www.gov.uk\/guidance\/working-safely-during-coronavirus-covid-19\/vehicles\"><span>Vehicles<\/span><\/a><span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3 id=\"section-title\" class=\"section-title\">5 steps to working safely<\/h3>\n<div class=\"js-collapsible-collection subsection-collection\">\n<div class=\"collapsible-subsections\">\n<div class=\"gem-c-govspeak govuk-govspeak \">\n<p><strong>#1 \u2013 Carry out a COVID-19 risk assessment<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Before restarting work you should ensure the safety of your workplace by:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>carrying out a risk assessment in line with the\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.hse.gov.uk\/simple-health-safety\/risk\/index.htm\" rel=\"external\">HSE guidance<\/a>\n<\/li>\n<li>consulting with your workers or trade unions<\/li>\n<li>sharing the results of the risk assessment with your workforce and on your website<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>#2 -Develop cleaning, handwashing and hygiene procedures<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>You should increase the frequency of handwashing and surface cleaning by:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>encouraging people to follow the\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.nhs.uk\/live-well\/healthy-body\/best-way-to-wash-your-hands\/\" rel=\"external\">guidance on hand washing and hygiene<\/a>\n<\/li>\n<li>providing hand sanitiser around the workplace, in addition to washrooms<\/li>\n<li>frequently cleaning and disinfecting objects and surfaces that are touched regularly<\/li>\n<li>enhancing cleaning for busy areas<\/li>\n<li>setting clear use and cleaning guidance for toilets<\/li>\n<li>providing hand drying facilities \u2013 either paper towels or electrical dryers<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>#3 \u2013 Help people to work from home<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>You should take all reasonable steps to help people work from home by:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>discussing home working arrangements<\/li>\n<li>ensuring they have the right equipment, for example remote access to work systems<\/li>\n<li>including them in all necessary communications<\/li>\n<li>looking after their physical and mental wellbeing<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>#4 \u2013 Maintain 2m social distancing, where possible<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Where possible, you should maintain 2m between people by:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>putting up signs to remind workers and visitors of social distancing guidance<\/li>\n<li>avoiding sharing workstations<\/li>\n<li>using floor tape or paint to mark areas to help people keep to a 2m distance<\/li>\n<li>arranging one-way traffic through the workplace if possible<\/li>\n<li>switching to seeing visitors by appointment only if possible<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>#5 \u2013 Where people cannot be 2m apart, manage transmission risk<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Where it\u2019s not possible for people to be 2m apart, you should do everything practical to manage the transmission risk by:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>considering whether an activity needs to continue for the business to operate<\/li>\n<li>keeping the activity time involved as short as possible<\/li>\n<li>using screens or barriers to separate people from each other<\/li>\n<li>using back-to-back or side-to-side working whenever possible<\/li>\n<li>staggering arrival and departure times<\/li>\n<li>reducing the number of people each person has contact with by using \u2018fixed teams or partnering\u2019<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<h3><strong>How to make your shop Covid-19 secure<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p>Shops include all retail stores. These include:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>food retailers<\/li>\n<li>chemists<\/li>\n<li>hardware\/homeware stores<\/li>\n<li>fashion shops<\/li>\n<li>charity shops<\/li>\n<li>betting shops and arcades<\/li>\n<li>tailors, dress fitters and fashion designers<\/li>\n<li>car dealerships<\/li>\n<li>auction houses<\/li>\n<li>antique stores<\/li>\n<li>retail art galleries<\/li>\n<li>photography studios<\/li>\n<li>gift shops and retail spaces in theatres, museums, libraries, heritage sites and tourism sites<\/li>\n<li>mobile phone stores<\/li>\n<li>indoor and outdoor markets<\/li>\n<li>craft fairs<\/li>\n<li>similar types of retail.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><b><span>General\u00a0<\/span><\/b><b><span>a<\/span><\/b><b><span>dvice<\/span><\/b><span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span>A<\/span><span>ll retail<\/span><span>\u00a0business<\/span><span>es and stores<\/span><span>\u00a0must first assess how many customers can fit into their premises while observing the 2m social distancing rules.<\/span><span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span>Other general measure to ensure a Covid-19 secure shop<\/span><span>\u00a0or caf\u00e9<\/span><span>\u00a0include:<\/span><span>\u00a0<\/span><span>\u00a0<\/span><span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>\n<span>Limit the number of customers on the shop floor, paying special attention to areas that are likely to get congested\u00a0<\/span><span>\u00a0<\/span>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<span>Suspend or reduc<\/span><span>e<\/span><span>\u00a0customer services that contravene social distancing guidelines. Consider having fixed working pairs that can help assist with heavy objects rather involving the customer in the process\u00a0<\/span><span>\u00a0<\/span>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<span>Have a flexible attitude to queue management, one-way flow and social distancing procedures, adapt if certain areas are growing congested<\/span><span>\u00a0<\/span>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<span>Encourag<\/span><span>e<\/span><span>\u00a0customers to shop alone where possible, unless they need specific assistance<\/span><span>\u00a0<\/span>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<span>Remind customers who are accompanied by children that they are responsible for supervising them at all times<\/span><span>\u00a0<\/span>\n<\/li>\n<li><span>Changes to entry and exit points must take account of those who might need special assistance, including disabled shoppers<\/span><\/li>\n<li>\n<span>Us<\/span><span>e<\/span><span>\u00a0outside premises for queuing where available and safe<\/span>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<span>Regularly clean work surfaces and spaces<\/span><span>, with\u00a0<\/span><span>particular focus<\/span><span>\u00a0on busy areas<\/span>\n<\/li>\n<li><span>Barriers between customer and cashier<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span>Communicate guidelines to all customers through signage or vocal reminders<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span>Disinfect baskets and trolleys<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span>As far as possible, where workers are split into teams or shift groups, fixing these teams or shift groups so that where contact is unavoidable, this happens between the same people<\/span><\/li>\n<li>\n<span>If you are cleaning after a known or suspected case of C<\/span><span>ovid<\/span><span>-19 then you refer to the\u00a0<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.gov.uk\/government\/publications\/covid-19-decontamination-in-non-healthcare-settings\/covid-19-decontamination-in-non-healthcare-settings\"><span>specific guidance<\/span><\/a><span>\u00a0<\/span>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3>\n<b><span>How to make your clothes shop COVID-19 secure<\/span><\/b><span>\u00a0<\/span><br \/>\n<\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li>Fitting rooms should be closed wherever possible given the challenges in operating them safely<\/li>\n<li>Where fitting rooms are essential, for example to support key workers buying critical protective clothing, they should be cleaned very frequently, typically between each use<\/li>\n<li>Creating procedures to manage clothes that have been tried on, for example delaying their return to the shop floor by 72 hours<\/li>\n<li>Storing items that have been returned, donated, brought in for repair or extensively handled, for example tried-on shoes or clothes, in a container or separate room for 72 hours, or cleaning such items with usual cleaning products, before displaying them on the shop floor. Materials used for cleaning can be disposed of normally<\/li>\n<li>Customer handling of merchandise should be kept to a minimum, consider different display methods, new signage or rotation of high-touch stock<\/li>\n<li>Put in place picking-up and dropping-off collection and returns points where possible<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3>\n<b><span>How to make your caf\u00e9 or retail shop COVID-19 secure<\/span><\/b><span>\u00a0<\/span><br \/>\n<\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li>\n<span>Frequent<\/span><span>ly<\/span><span>\u00a0clean work areas and equipment between uses, using your usual cleaning products. Frequent cleaning objects and surfaces that are touched regularly such as self-checkouts, trolleys, coffee machines, or staff handheld devices, and making sure there are adequate disposal arrangements<\/span><span>\u00a0<\/span>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<span>Clear workspaces and removing waste and belongings from the work area at the end of a shift<\/span><span>\u00a0<\/span>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<span>On premises caf\u00e9 seating areas must be closed and all hot and cold food purchased must be consumed off\u00a0<\/span><span>premises<\/span><span>\u00a0<\/span><span>\u00a0<\/span><span>\u00a0<\/span>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3>\n<b><span>How to make your takeaway or restaurant COVID-19 secure<\/span><\/b><span>\u00a0<\/span><br \/>\n<\/h3>\n<p><span>\u00a0<\/span><span>The government\u2019s advice is relatively standard in terms of workplace controls. There are some crucial things to note<\/span><span>:<\/span><span>\u00a0<\/span><span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>\n<span>O<\/span><span>nly delivery and takeaway services are permitted. That means any indoor or outdoor seating must be closed and businesses are encouraged to keep customers outside of their physical premises if or where possible<\/span><span>\u00a0<\/span>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<span>Rigorous cleaning techniques should be instituted<\/span><span>. This includes<\/span><span>\u00a0<\/span><span>the use of<\/span><span>\u00a0single\u00a0<\/span><span>use<\/span><span>\u00a0condiment packets<\/span><span>\u00a0or condiment containers cleaned after every usage<\/span><span>\u00a0and providing hand sanitiser<\/span>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<span>Contact with kitchen staff should\u00a0<\/span><span>al<\/span><span>so<\/span><span>\u00a0<\/span><span>be kept to a minimum and that extends to amount of people allowed access to the kitchen as well<\/span>\n<\/li>\n<li><span>Drivers and kitchen staff should ensure they have washed their hands before the transference of food can take place and this should be done at a distance with as minimal amount of contact as possible<\/span><\/li>\n<li>\n<span>Physical barriers\u00a0<\/span><span>are a<\/span><span>\u00a0good way to enforce social distancing and designated pass<\/span><span>\u2013<\/span><span>over stations should be established for delivery drivers and other staff<\/span>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<span>Guidance and awareness\u00a0<\/span><span>are<\/span><span>\u00a0key to the government\u2019s Covid-19 secure strategy, signage, guidelines, announcements and warnings are crucial<\/span><span>. Staff must be made aware of\u00a0<\/span><span>safe\u00a0<\/span><span>handwashing techniques, social distance spacing<\/span><span>, and cleaning standards. Customers must also be communicated to clearly about where to wait for takeaways, how service will be conducted<\/span><span>\u00a0and payment pro<\/span><span>cedures<\/span><span>\u00a0<\/span>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<span>C<\/span><span>ustomers<\/span><span>\u00a0should be urged to<\/span><span>\u00a0use card, contactless or online payments through an app or website to order food, reducing<\/span><span>\u00a0contact and<\/span><span>\u00a0transmission of material between customer and worker<\/span>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<span>Keep each person to a separate\u00a0<\/span><span>workstation<\/span><span>, especially during food preparation<\/span><span>\u00a0<\/span>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<span>Stagger work breaks,\u00a0<\/span><span>minimalise<\/span><span>\u00a0contact between staff and other people on breaks<\/span><span>\u00a0<\/span>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span>The government says there is no<\/span><span>\u00a0evidence of Covid-19 spreading on food packaging but\u00a0<\/span><span>says that you still\u00a0have to\u00a0be cautious.\u00a0<\/span><span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3>\n<b><span>How to make your office COVID-19 secure<\/span><\/b><span>\u00a0<\/span><br \/>\n<\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li>\n<span>A good place to start is reviewing layouts and processes to allow people to work further apart from each other\u00a0<\/span><span>\u00a0<\/span>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<span>Consider using floor tape to mark areas to help workers keep to a 2m distance<\/span><span>\u00a0<\/span>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<span>Where it is not possible to move workstations further apart, using screens to separate people from each other<\/span><span>\u00a0<\/span>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<span>Manage occupancy levels to enable social distancing\u00a0<\/span><span>\u00a0<\/span>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<span>Avoid use of hot desks,\u00a0<\/span><span>however<\/span><span>, for instance in<\/span><span>\u00a0call centres or training facilities<\/span><span>\u00a0where this might not be possible<\/span><span>, clean workstations between different occupants including shared equipment<\/span><span>\u00a0<\/span>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<span>Frequently clean objects and surfaces that are touched regularly, such as door handles and keyboards, and making sure there are adequate disposal arrangements<\/span><span>\u00a0<\/span>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span>The government has laid out some key areas for offices to focus their efforts on. These include:<\/span><span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b><span>For meetings<\/span><\/b><span>\u00a0<\/span><span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>\n<span>Use remote working tools to avoid in-person meetings, if possible<\/span><span>\u00a0<\/span>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<span>Only\u00a0<\/span><span>absolutely necessary<\/span><span>\u00a0participants should attend meetings and should maintain 2m separation throughout<\/span><span>\u00a0<\/span>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<span>Avoid sharing pens and other objects<\/span><span>\u00a0<\/span>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<span>Providing hand sanitiser in meeting rooms\u00a0<\/span><span>\u00a0<\/span>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<span>Holding meetings outdoors or in well-ventilated rooms whenever possible<\/span><span>\u00a0<\/span>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<span>For areas where regular meetings take place, use floor signage to help people maintain social distancing<\/span><span>\u00a0<\/span>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span>\u00a0<\/span><b><span>Lunch and work breaks<\/span><\/b><span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>\n<span>Stagger break times to reduce pressure on break rooms or canteens\u00a0<\/span><span>\u00a0<\/span>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<span>Use safe outside areas for breaks\u00a0<\/span><span>\u00a0<\/span>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<span>Create additional space by using other parts of the workplace or building that have been freed up by remote working<\/span><span>\u00a0<\/span>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<span>Install screens to protect staff in receptions or similar areas<\/span><span>\u00a0<\/span>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<span>Provide packaged meals or<\/span><span>\u00a0something similar\u00a0<\/span><span>o\u00a0avoid fully opening staff canteens\u00a0<\/span><span>\u00a0<\/span>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<span>Encourage workers to bring their own food\u00a0<\/span><span>\u00a0<\/span>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<span>Reconfigure seating and tables to maintain spacing and reduce face-to-face interactions<\/span><span>\u00a0<\/span>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<span>Encourage staff to remain on-site and, when not possible, maintaining social distancing while off-site<\/span><span>\u00a0<\/span>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><b><span>Delivers and office supplies<\/span><\/b><span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>\n<span>Restrict non-business deliveries, for example, personal deliveries to worker<\/span><span>s<\/span><span>\u00a0<\/span>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<span>Identify areas where people directly pass things to each other, for example office supplies, and finding ways to remove direct contact, such as using drop-off points or transfer zones<\/span><span>\u00a0<\/span>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><b><span>Office visitors and <\/span><\/b><b><span>c<\/span><\/b><b><span>ommunication\u00a0<\/span><\/b><span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>\n<span>Determine if schedules for essential services and contractor visits can be revised to reduce interaction and overlap between people, for example, carrying out services at night<\/span><span>\u00a0<\/span>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<span>Maintain a record of all visitors, if this is practical<\/span><span>\u00a0<\/span>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<span>Provide clear guidance on social distancing and hygiene to people on arrival<\/span><span>\u00a0with<\/span><span>\u00a0signage or visual aids and before arrival, by phone, on<\/span><span>\u00a0your<\/span><span>\u00a0website or by email<\/span><span>\u00a0<\/span>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<span>Establish host responsibilities relating to C<\/span><span>ovid<\/span><span>-19 and providing any necessary training for people who act as hosts for visitors.\u00a0<\/span><span>\u00a0<\/span>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<span>Review entry and exit routes for visitors and contractors to minimise contact with other people<\/span><span>\u00a0<\/span>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<span>Provid<\/span><span>e<\/span><span>\u00a0clear, consistent and regular communication to improve understanding<\/span><span>\u00a0of Covid-19 security measures<\/span><span>\u00a0<\/span>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3>How to handle\u00a0deliveries and orders<\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li>\n<span>Companies are advised to overhaul their current pick-up and drop-off collection points, introduce spaces where<\/span><span>\u00a0keeping<\/span><span>\u00a0social distancing<\/span><span>\u00a0measures<\/span><span>\u00a0is possible and\u00a0<\/span><span>make sure they are followed<\/span><span>\u00a0<\/span><span>with signage and markings\u00a0<\/span><span>\u00a0<\/span>\n<\/li>\n<li><span>Electronically processing deliveries with a pre-booking system can also help reduce contact at security points<\/span><\/li>\n<li>\n<span>The government<\/span><span>\u00a0<\/span><span>also says<\/span><span>\u00a0that, when safe to do so, single employees should unload or load vehicles<\/span>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<span>By altering frequency of deliveries, such as ordering a larger quantity of goods less often<\/span><span>,<\/span><span>\u00a0can help reduce contact with workers outside of your business\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><span>\u00a0<\/span>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3>\n<b><span>Ventilation<\/span><\/b><span>\u00a0<\/span><br \/>\n<\/h3>\n<p><span>\u00a0<\/span><span>The\u00a0<\/span><span>business department\u00a0<\/span><span>has\u00a0<\/span><span>underlined the importance of properly ventilated spaces in each of its<\/span><span>\u00a0eight\u00a0<\/span><span>report<\/span><span>s<\/span><span>.\u00a0<\/span><span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>\n<span>C<\/span><span>heck whether you need to service or adjust ventilation systems<\/span><span>\u00a0<\/span>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<span>Most air conditioning system do not need adjustment, however where systems serve multiple buildings or you are unsure, advice can be sought from your heating ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) engineers or advisers\u00a0<\/span><span>\u00a0<\/span>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<span>Opening windows and doors fre<\/span><span>quently can also help improve ventilation of buildings and offices<\/span><span>\u00a0<\/span>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p><span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p><!--\n                --><\/p>\n<\/section>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p class=\"article-intro secondary-text-colour\">How to reopen your small business &#8211; a SmallBusiness.co.uk guide to reopening your small business post coronavirus lockdown. All the official guidance so far<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":5720,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[27],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/sloane.co.uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3735"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/sloane.co.uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/sloane.co.uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sloane.co.uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sloane.co.uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=3735"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/sloane.co.uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3735\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sloane.co.uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/5720"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/sloane.co.uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=3735"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sloane.co.uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=3735"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sloane.co.uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=3735"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}