If you’re hoping to reopen your business on the 2nd December, you will want to know exactly how you will be affected based on the tier that you’re operating under. To help you understand more about your specific business, we’ve answered some of your FAQs below.
What businesses will reopen and will the three-tier structure affect the reopening of my business?
The way that businesses reopen and operate throughout December and into the New Year will be based on what tier that your area falls under. Most businesses will be able to operate under Tiers 1 and 2. For the areas which fall under Tier 3, pubs and restaurants will be closed but will be permitted to offer a takeaway service. Under this tier, casinos, cinemas, bowling alleys, theatres, soft play areas, museums and galleries should remain closed.
I run a pub/restaurant – how will I be affected from the 2nd December?
In Tier 1, you will be allowed to open in a similar way to how your operated pre-lockdown 2 with the rule of 6 and table service still in place, but now customers will have an hour to finish their drinks and food from 10pm. In Tier 2, you can open but your customers will need to order substantial meals if they’re drinking alcohol. In Tier 3, you should remain closed but will be able to operate a takeaway, click and collect, drive-through or delivery service.
You will be able to stay open after 11pm to operate one of the above services, such as a takeaway or delivery service and will need to close between 11pm and 5am. If you run a venue in an airport, port, transport service or in a motorway service area, you are exempt from this rule.
What are the COVID Christmas rules for food and drink businesses?
While rules will be relaxed in order for friends and families to create a bubble of up to three households, these newly formed bubbles will not be allowed to meet up in pubs, restaurants or bars. Outside of the 5-day Christmas period, you will continue to operate as per the rules of your tier.
I sell Christmas trees, am I allowed to reopen before the 2nd December?
Yes, whereas before Christmas tree sellers were seen as non-essential businesses, the Government has since changed the rules, meaning that from the 21st November, you can be open for business – permitted you stick to the usual safety guidelines.
Am I now allowed to host indoor events in my venue?
Attendance at outdoor and indoor events, including performances and shows, sports and business events will now be permitted in Tiers 1 and 2, but at a dramatically reduced capacity. The numbers that you can allow will be determined by your tier.
If your venue hosts weddings and/or funerals, these can proceed in all tiers but with restricted numbers; wedding receptions will not be permitted in Tier 3.
Do I still need to collect customer details for Test and Trace?
Your business should display the official NHS QR code poster so that your customers can check-in to your venue. If they do this, you do not need to collect their contact details. However, the current advice still stands that businesses should collect the name and contact details of at least one member of every party if they have not scanned the official NHS QR code. These records should be kept for 21 days and readily available when requested.
I run a fitness organisation; will I still be able to operate in Tier 3?
Rather than negotiating the terms of Tier 3 with individual MPs, the Government has now determined a ‘one size fits all’ approach for those impacted. This means that in this tier, gyms and leisure establishments can stay open but organised sport or classes cannot take place indoors, with the exception of indoor disability sport, sport for educational purposes and supervised sport and physical activity for under-18s.
If you have any questions about your insurance over this time, it’s worth getting in touch now to check that you have everything in order. Remember that if you need to make a claim on your policy, if your broker is temporarily closed over the Christmas period, you will need to make this directly through your insurer so ensure you have the details available.
Please get in touch with us on 01524 848506 for any questions or concerns.
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