A new video has been produced in Kent specifically to advise retail businesses in Kent on the new COVID-19 regulations concerning re-opening safely.
The video, produced by the Kent and Medway Growth Hub in partnership with Kent County Council (KCC) Trading Standards, Dartford and Sevenoaks Environmental Health Partnership, Kent Fire and Rescue Service and South East Water, summarises the key points of the guidelines for retail businesses.
It offers guidance on which types of business are allowed to reopen, which COVID-19 social-distancing and safety guidelines they should follow, fire regulations, how to make sure a store is safe as they re-open and how to make changes to the layout.
There are also links to tools for businesses, such as a sign they should clearly display in their store to show their employees, customers and other visitors that they have followed COVID-19 guidance. There will also be signposts and links to further guidance.
The COVID-19 Business Support Hotline number is 03333 602300 and phone lines are open from 8:30am – 5pm, Monday to Friday.
The COVID-19 Business Support Hotline, run by the Kent and Medway Growth Hub, has received many enquiries from businesses asking about the new guidelines and how they can make sure they are following them correctly.
Businesses who are looking to diversify or trade differently, for example start selling new products that maybe imported from abroad or start selling their goods online, should seek free advice from Trading Standards.
To request free COVID-19 related advice from Trading Standards go to www.kentpublicprotection.info/free-business-advice.
Live Q&A session
Further help and advice will be available during a live Question and Answer session today at 1pm (Tuesday 16 June). On the panel for the event, titled “Helping business to re-open and trade safely”, are: Nathan Martin from Kent County Council Trading Standards, Annie Sargent from the Dartford and Sevenoaks Environmental Health Partnership and Tudor Price from the Kent and Medway Growth Hub.
It will be hosted online and businesses can sign up for the free event here: kentpublicprotection.info/trade-safely
Mike Whiting, KCC’s Cabinet Member for Economic Development, said: “The past few months have obviously been a particularly worrying time for many businesses. They have not only had to cope with the impact of COVID-19 on their businesses, but they have also had to contend with planning for the future as the lockdown is gradually eased.
“I hope this video will give them some guidance on how to cope with the latest situation and that bosses will also take advantage of the Q and A session if they have any specific concerns.”
Mike Hill, the Cabinet member for Community and Regulatory Services said: “Over the past few weeks our Public Protection Group, including KCC Trading Standards, have been busy offering free advice to businesses about how to follow the various rules and regulations around their operations.
“The situation is now changing on a regular basis and it is important the businesses continue to keep up with those changes and take advantage of the advice on offer.”
Further information for business can be found on the Covid-19 business advice page of this website.