Prime Minister Boris Johnson made a statement on 9 September regarding new measures to suppress the virus and keep the number of infections down.
What has changed for businesses in England:
- Rule of six: From Monday 14 September, you must not meet with people from other households socially in groups of more than six. This will apply indoors and outdoors. COVID-19 Secure venues, such as restaurants and hospitality venues, can still host larger numbers in total but groups of up to six must not mix or form larger groups. Education and work settings are unaffected, and organised team sports will still be able to proceed.
- Mandatory collection of customer data for hospitality businesses: Businesses will have a clear duty to support NHS Test and Trace. From 18 September, it will be mandatory for certain businesses to have a system to collect NHS Test and Trace data, and to keep this for 21 days. Core COVID-19 Secure requirements will be mandated for hospitality businesses, and egregious breaches enforced.
- More policing: The Government will support Local Authorities and police forces to respond to breaches of COVID-19 Secure guidelines. Simplified COVID-19 Secure guidance for various business types is available here.
- Pilot schemes: The Government will review plans to pilot larger audiences in venues this month.
- Opening hour restrictions: The Government will restrict the opening hours of premises, initially in local lockdown areas, with the option of national action in the future. This will seek to restrict activities that may lead to a spread in the virus.
These measures apply to England – but there may be different rules for areas under local lockdown.
Read details here and link to the different rules for Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales.