Last updated: 4 February 2021 (reviewed daily)
Read the guidance for businesses and premises on GOV.UK
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Early Outbreak Management Action Cards
The government has developed quick-reference actions cards which provide instructions to anyone responsible for a business or organisation on what to do in the event of one or more confirmed cases of coronavirus (COVID-19) in your organisation.
View the action cards at gov.uk
Coronavirus tests for your employees
The government is offering rapid lateral flow tests for businesses. You can register to order tests if:
- your business is registered in England
- you employ 50 people or more
- your employees cannot work from home
Local businesses who do not meet all these criteria, can still benefit by having their employees take regular rapid lateral flow tests at community testing centres across Suffolk, if they do not have coronavirus symptoms.
Regular testing of employees who cannot work from home will help keep businesses open. The tests are free, with the results available by text or email within an hour.
Regular appointments can be booked online or by calling 0333 772 6144.
Outbreaks and cases resource pack for Suffolk businesses
In partnership with Public Health England, we have developed a resource pack to support businesses to effectively manage COVID-19 cases and outbreaks in the workplace.
The resource pack contains a simplified version of the different COVID-19 definitions, checklist for what to do during outbreak, step by step risk assessment and mitigations, sample letters and messages that can be used in communications to staff and more.
View the resource pack contents
The Suffolk Chamber of Commerce
The Suffolk Chamber of Commerce is happy to offer help and advice to any Suffolk business that has questions or concerns in these challenging times. It doesn’t matter if your business is a Chamber member or not.
- Visit the Suffolk Chamber of Commerce website to find lots of information for businesses
- Email info@suffolkchamber.co.uk if you can't find what you're looking for on their website
- Follow Suffolk Chamber of Commerce on Twitter at: twitter.com/suffolkchamber
New Anglia Growth Hub
Get free business support and advice during the coronavirus (COVID-19) crisis from qualified advisers. It's a challenging time and information is changing very quickly.
- Find latest business-related guidance or visit newangliagrowthhub.co.uk
- Call 0300 333 6536 to speak to a qualified adviser
- Follow New Anglia LEP Forum on Twitter: twitter.com/AngliaHub
Suffolk Growth Partnership Board
The Suffolk Growth Partnership Board has membership drawn from Suffolk Local Authorities, New Anglia LEP, the University of Suffolk and Suffolk Chamber of Commerce.
The SGPB website pulls together surveys, funding and economic impact analysis of COVID-19 at a local, regional and national level to support Suffolk's businesses, Local Authorities and all partners.
Federation of Small Business (FSB)
The FSB has created a hub to support businesses during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. The hub aims to answer many questions for small business owners and the self-employed.
Information is available to you regardless of whether you are a member of the FSB or not.
- Visit the Federation of Small Business website
- Email andrew.mower@fsb.org.uk
- Follow Federation for Small Business, East Anglia on Twitter: twitter.com/FSBEastAnglia
HMRC
HMRC now have a helpline for any businesses concerned about paying their tax due to coronavirus (COVID19).
- Find information online from HMRC on GOV.UK
- Call 0800 0159 559
- Follow HMRC on Twitter: twitter.com/HMRCpressoffice
Borough and District Councils
Businesses are to receive financial support in the form of grant funding announced in the government’s package of measures designed to help smaller businesses. Borough and District Councils are responsible for payment of these grants, and can support businesses through the process:
- Babergh and Mid Suffolk District Councils
- East Suffolk Council
- Ipswich Borough Council
- West Suffolk Council
Businesses and venues
In light of the government’s announcement on Thursday 9 July, the government is publishing further COVID-19 secure guidance, and more businesses and venues will be permitted to reopen from 11 and 13 July 2020.
Find advice about how to report a business if:
- a business is not closed or complying with social distancing directives
- you have concerns about coronavirus (COVID-19) related scams
- wish to report an incident of social gatherings or social distancing
Health and safety
Guidance for businesses about working safely with coronavirus (COVID-19).
Business-related links
- eastsuffolkmeansbusiness.co.uk
- ipswichcentral.com
- westsuffolk.gov.uk
- babergh.gov.uk
- ipswich.gov.uk
- businesscompanion.info