Association update

EXTENDED OPENING HOURS

The government has announced that it is to allow shops to stay open until 10pm in England once retailing is allowed from 12 April. This should also give a boost to trade for foodservice businesses. Details of the temporary relaxation in opening hours have not yet been released.

APPROVED TESTING

The government has published a list of private testing systems that they have approved.

HOME TESTING

From 6 April, the government is to make free home COVID test kits available to all employers with over 10 workers. Employees will be able to do rapid and regular testing at home, thus avoiding a lengthy journey to a test centre.

See https://www.gov.uk/ government/news/workplacetesting-programme-expandsto-offer-free-rapid-hometesting?utm_medium=email&utm_ campaign=govuk-notifi cations&utm_ source=8067c0f1-f1f5-44b2-b1527125e6351e2b&utm_content=daily

WHAT CAN YOU DO IF AN EMPLOYEE REFUSES TO BE TESTED OR HAVE A VACCINE?

There seems to be some confusion over the legal position if an employee refuses to be tested or to have a COVID vaccination and, thereby, puts other workers at risk. The Association has taken views from two sets of legal advisors on this question and the message seems to be to tread carefully.

According to ACAS “if an individual unreasonably refuses to take a test, in some situations it could result in disciplinary action” such as where there is a workplace policy to test staff and it is necessary to do their job. However, this may not stand up if there are genuine reasons (not just an opinion) – such as pregnancy or religious beliefs – for not having a vaccination. So, the best advice currently is to seek legal guidance before taking any such action. Members can obtain free advice from HR consultants Ellis Whittam on Tel. 0345 226 8393, email enquiries@elliswhittam.com.

RESTART GRANT (ENGLAND)

The Restart Grant scheme supports businesses in the non-essential retail, hospitality, leisure, personal care and accommodation sectors with a one-off grant to reopen safely as COVID-19 restrictions are lifted. Eligible businesses in the hospitality, accommodation, leisure, personal care and gym sectors may be entitled to a one-off cash grant of up to £18,000 from their local council which have been told to use their discretion to determine whether businesses meet the criteria. To be eligible, businesses must be based in England, be rate paying and must have been trading on 1 April 2020.

The grants are:

A one-off grant of up to £18,000 in the hospitality, accommodation, leisure, personal care and gym sectors.

A one-off grant of up to £6,000 in the non-essential retail sector.

Visit your local council’s website to fi nd out how to apply.

RESTRICTIONS ON TEMPORARY STRUCTURES EASED AGAIN

The Communities Secretary has also announced that businesses such as pubs and restaurants, including those in listed buildings, are to be allowed to use their land more fl exibly to set up marquees throughout the summer and provide more outdoor space for diners as restrictions ease.

VAT DEFERRAL SCHEME GUIDANCE UPDATED

HMRC has updated the guidance on the VAT Deferral Scheme to clarify that the maximum number of instalments that a business can make is related to when they joined the scheme. Here’s the table from the guidance that clarifi es this:

If you join by Number of instalments available to you

19 March 2021 11 21 April 2021 10 19 May 2021 9 21 June 2021 8