Swansea BID is working hard to keep stakeholders up to date with the latest news, updates and information as the coronavirus situation changes across the UK. We have created this new page to help do this which will be updated regularly as we get the information, but also keep an eye on our social media channels for updates as they come in.
We are all in this together and we can and will emerge from this crisis with dignity and with resolve. NOW is the time for us all to be strong and for us all to realise that we can and will come through this working together to turn all our firepower on the virus.
Key information
COVID-19: guidance for employees, employers and businesses – updated 26.3.2020
Guidance from gov.uk for employees, employers and businesses in providing advice about the novel coronavirus (COVID-19).
Coronavirus regulations: guidance – updated 27.3.2020
What you and businesses can and cannot do during the outbreak and what happens if you break these new laws.
Coronavirus – Information for individuals and businesses in Wales updated 30.3.2020
The latest guidance on the virus for people in Wales
Coronavirus – support for businesses updated 30.3.2020
Information from the Welsh government on business rate relief, grants and loans for businesses to help during the disruption caused by COVID-19.
ACAS advice for employers and employees reviewed 25.3.2020
Latest updates and information
6.4.2020
Coronavirus – supply and demand resources platform
Information from Business Wales on a platform that enables all companies in Wales and beyond to share supply and demand opportunities resulting from the current economic and trading situation due to the Coronavirus pandemic.
6.4.2020
Workplace social distancing set to become law in Wales
New rules to protect workers during the coronavirus outbreak will come into force on Tuesday morning, First Minister Mark Drakeford has confirmed.
6.4.2020
£5M relief fund for young entrepreneurs affected by coronavirus
The Prince’s Trust and NatWest have announced the launch of a £5million fund to help young entrepreneurs across the UK to keep their businesses afloat during the coronavirus crisis.
6.4.2020
Coronavirus – debt implication and safeguards
Article from Business News Wales on the impact of coronavirus on finances.
5.4.2020
Business Secretary appeals to everyone to stay calm and carry on the good work
Business Secretary, Alok Sharma, writes for The Sun on Sunday thanking workers and businesses for their support during the coronavirus pandemic.
5.4.2020
Testing for coronavirus
Updated information from Welsh Government on testing for coronavirus
3.4.2020
What Does it Mean to be Furloughed?
What does it mean to be furloughed? Kate Palmer, Associate Director of Advisory at global employment law consultancy, Peninsula, explains..
2.4.2020
Welsh Businesses Adapt to Covid-19 Outbreak in Variety of Ways
Interesting article from Business News Wales on how some businesses are adapting in response to the Covid-19 outbreak.
1.4.2020
Latest Coronavirus update from Swansea council
Includes information on financial support for businesses
1.4.2020
£18m support for the culture, creative and sport sector in Wales
The package of measures, which was announced by Deputy Minister for Culture, Sport and Tourism, Lord Elis-Thomas today, will help support the sector, safeguarding businesses and jobs.
1.4.2020
Business Secretary’s statement on coronavirus (COVID-19): 1 April 2020
Business Secretary Alok Sharma gave the 1 April 2020 daily press briefing on the government’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
1.4.2020
COVID-19: Check which expenses are taxable if your employee works from home due to coronavirus
1.4.2020
Development Bank Launches £100m Covid-19 Wales Business Loan Scheme
The Development Bank of Wales have launched a £100 million fund to support businesses in Wales affected by the Covid-19 outbreak.
31.3.2020
Coronavirus update from Swansea council
31.3.2020
The Coronavirus Lockdown: An Employer’s Duty of Care for Remote Workers
Employers still have a duty of care for employee well-being, so far as is reasonably practicable, even when they are working from home. Here are some important considerations for employers with remote workers.
31.3.2020
Financial Support and Grants
Information from Business Wales on the financial support available to businesses impacted by the coronavirus.
31.3.2020
Keeping empty commercial properties safe from crime
A document from Swansea BID with advice on preventing crime in relation to commercial properties that are currently empty as a result of the coronavirus outbreak.
31.3.2020
COVID-19: Rules on carrying over annual leave to be relaxed
Workers who have not taken all of their statutory annual leave entitlement due to COVID-19 will now be able to carry it over into the next 2 leave years, under measures introduced by the UK Government on Friday 27 March 2020.
30.3.2020
New £500 million Economic Resilience Fund launched for Wales
First Minister Mark Drakeford has today announced a new £500 million fund to provide extra support to the Welsh economy, businesses and charities experiencing a sharp drop in trading as a result of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.
30.3.2020
Foreign Secretary’s statement on coronavirus (COVID-19): 30 March 2020
Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab gave the 30 March 2020 daily press briefing on the government’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
30.3.2020
Coronavirus and childcare provision
Guidance from the Welsh Government on childcare for parents and childcare providers during the coronavirus pandemic.
30.3.2020
Welsh government to announce £1.1bn funding
A £1.1bn support package for the economy and public services in Wales is to be unveiled this week.
30.3.2020
Grants to Start Reaching Businesses in Wales This Week
Businesses will start receiving emergency coronavirus grants by the middle of this week, Economy, Transport and North Wales Minister Ken Skates confirmed.
30.3.2020
New Coronavirus Business Support Hub Launches
The South Wales Chamber of Commerce has created a dedicated platform for businesses to connect and support each other during the coronavirus pandemic.
30.3.2020
Government cracks down on spread of false coronavirus information online
Specialist units are operating to combat misinformation about coronavirus and five to ten incidents are being identified and tackled each day.
29.3.2020
New advice to support mental health during coronavirus outbreak.
People struggling with their mental health during the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak will be offered additional online support and practical guidance to help them cope.
28.3.2020
New coronavirus smart test for Wales
Health Minister Vaughan Gething has announced plans to introduce a smart test to identify if people have had coronavirus in Wales – helping front line staff get back to work.
27.3.2020
Rules on carrying over annual leave to be relaxed to support key industries during COVID-19.
Workers who have not taken all of their statutory annual leave entitlement due to COVID-19 will now be able to carry it over into the next 2 leave years.
26.3.2020
Welsh government business grants
How to apply for the business grants created in response to the coronavirus outbreak – for businesses in city and county of Swansea.
26.3.2020
Furlough leave update – the job retention scheme
Selena Baker, Associate Director of Greenaway Scott, summarises what we know and what we do not yet know about Furlough leave.
26.3.2020
Financial support for the self-employed as a result of coronavirus
Millions of self-employed individuals will receive direct cash grants though a ground-breaking UK-wide scheme to help them during the coronavirus outbreak, the Chancellor announced today.
26.3.2020
Increase to working tax credits
As part of a number of measures to support the country during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, Working Tax Credits payments will be increased by £1,045 to £3,040 per year from 6 April 2020 until 5 April 2021.
26.3.2020
Latest coronavirus update from Swansea council
26.3.2020
New powers to enforce social distancing come into force in Wales
The First Minister has signed into law new public health regulations strengthening police enforcement powers in Wales.
26.3.2020
Grants to start reaching businesses
Businesses will start receiving emergency coronavirus grants by the middle of next week, Economy, Transport and North Wales Minister Ken Skates confirmed today.
26.3.2020
Welsh Government business grants
The Welsh Government has announced a £1.4bn support package for all businesses listed on the business rates register, covering Business Rate Relief and Business Grants
You can also find the information on these grants here.
25.3.2020
Coronavirus update from Swansea council
A round up of the latest news and changes from Swansea council in relation to the coronavirus outbreak.
25.3.2020
Advice on home working for employers during the Covid-19 outbreak
Advice from Business Wales for those who have employees working from home at the moment.
25.3.2020
Government to provide free car parking for NHS and social care staff
The Secretary of State for Health and Social Care is giving immediate financial backing for all NHS trusts to provide free car parking to NHS staff for the duration of coronavirus (COVID-19).
25.3.2020
Prime Minister’s statement
The transcript of Boris Johnson’s latest statement about the coronavirus outbreak
25.3.2020
Government launches coronavirus information service on WhatsApp
The UK Government has today launched a GOV.UK Coronavirus Information service on WhatsApp.
25.3.2020
Swansea BID work with NCP and Local Authority to provide free city centre car parking to key workers
25.3.2020
Companies to receive 3-month extension period to file accounts during Covid-19
Businesses will be given an additional 3 months to file accounts with Companies House to help companies avoid penalties as they deal with the impact of COVID-19.
25.3.2020
Vehicle owners to be granted MOT exemption due to coronavirus outbreak
Vehicle owners will be granted a 6-month exemption from MOT testing, enabling them to continue to travel to work where this absolutely cannot be done from home, or shop for necessities.
24.3.2020
Protection from eviction for commercial tenants
Commercial tenants who cannot pay their rent because of COVID-19 will be protected from eviction.
24.3.2020
Support for the third sector
Document of advice and support for the third sector and charities during the disruption caused by Covid-19
24.3.2020
Response to Covid-19 economic crisis
A written statement from Rebecca Evans, Minister for Finance and Trefnydd, and Ken Skates, Minister for Economy, Transport and North Wales addressing the impact of Covid-19 on the economy.
24.3.2020
Coronavirus – closure of businesses and premises
Link to a pdf with latest information on non-essential businesses and premises that must shut from 23.3.2020
24.3.2020
Full guidance on staying at home and away from others
Updated information on staying away from others.
24.3.2020
Business Wales launches new webinars to help SMEs manage the impact of Covid-19
Business Wales is launching a new package of support for businesses affected by the coronavirus outbreak.
23.3.2020
Prime Minister’s address to the nation
Transcript of Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s address to the nation with the latest information
23.3.2020
Extra protection for businesses with ban on evictions for commercial tenants who miss rent payments
Commercial tenants who cannot pay their rent because of coronavirus will be protected from eviction.
22.3.2020
Statement from First Minister Mark Drakeford about travelling in Wales and social distancing
22.3.2020
First Minister launches Looking Out For Each Other campaign in Wales
First Minister Mark Drakeford has launched a new campaign about how to help people who are staying at home because of coronavirus.
19.3.2020
Additional support for businesses in dealing with Covid-19
“Following our announcement of a £200 million package of support for businesses on 17 March, the Welsh Government is today announcing that we will be providing almost £1.4 billion of support for businesses during this difficult period…”
19.3.2020
Ministers announce new £1.4bn business support package
Finance Minister Rebecca Evans and the Minister for Economy, Ken Skates have announced a new £1.4bn business support package to help businesses across Wales.
17.3.2020
Support for businesses in dealing with Covid-19
A written statement from Rebecca Evans AM, Minister for Finance and Trefnydd