COVID-19: Reopening your business safely guidance
From Monday 15 June 2020, businesses that are COVID-19 secure and comfortable managing requirements that will keep customers safe are able to reopen to the public.
Below is a range of government guidance to help employers, employees and the self-employed understand how to work safely during the coronavirus pandemic
Reopening businesses from 4 July
Pubs, restaurants and hairdressers can reopen from 4 July.
The government has published practical guidelines to help restaurants, pubs and hairdressers reopen safely, provided they meet government criteria for keeping staff and customers as safe as possible.
The government has produced FAQ on what you can and can't do after 4 July 
(pdf, 158 KB).
Risk assessment template
The Risk Assessment template
(MS Word, 876 KB) has been developed to help businesses implement the Government COVID-19 secure guidelines.
Signage
Here are some signs for businesses to print off and put on display to remind customers to adhere to social distancing.
- 2 metres from counter (pdf, 202 KB)
- 2m queues (pdf, 201 KB)
- Queue and contactless payment (pdf, 207 KB)
- Takeaway advice (pdf, 443 KB)
- Read before entering (pdf, 380 KB) (numbers entering stores)
- Deliveries only (pdf, 382 KB)
- Deliveries and collection only (pdf, 381 KB)
Staying COVID-19 Secure in 2020 notice
The Government recommends that businesses and employers display the Staying COVID-19 Secure in 2020 notice in their workplaces to show they have followed the 'Working safely during coronavirus (COVID-19)' guidance. This notice includes an HSE contact number for workers to report any concerns that they may have.
Guidance for workplaces
Richmond Council has produced a guidance leaflet on how to safely operate your business (pdf, 62 KB).
See further guidance on how to be safe at work:
- General coronavirus advice
- Working safely during coronavirus
- Construction and other outdoor work
- Factories, plants and warehouses
- Labs and research facilities
- Offices and contact centres
- Other people's homes
- Restaurants offering takeaway or delivery
- Shops and branches
- Vehicles
- Hotels and other guest accommodation
- Helping employers, employees and the self-employed understand how to work safely during the coronavirus pandemic
- Guidance for small businesses on reopening (pdf, 316 KB)
- Health and safety guidance for food businesses
- Guidance for employers and those who are self-employed and work with or near other people
- HSE working safely guide
- Managing risks and risk assessments at work
- HSE latest information and advice
- HSE guidance on working safely during the coronavirus outbreak
- Guidance for close contact services
Businesses that must remain closed
Community Toilet Scheme for local businesses
Earn £350 for up to three months by opening your toilets up to non paying customers.
- View the poster for the Community Toilet Scheme.
Food
- Re-opening and adapting your food business - Food Standards Agency
- Community cooking and foodbanks - Food Standards Agency
- Guide for consumers - coronavirus and food - GOV.UK
Water and legionella
- Guidance for organisations on supplying safe water supplies
- Water safety in buildings - Water Sanitation and Health website
- ESCMID Study Group for Legionella Infections - European Society of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases website
- ESGLI Guidance for managing Legionella in building water systems during the COVID-19 pandemic
Swimming pools
- Swimming pools - Guidance on temporary pool closure - Pool Water Treatment Advisory Group
Dentists
Social distancing
How to keep social distancing at work:
- Staying alert and safe (social distancing)
- Social distancing, keeping businesses open and in-work activities during the coronavirus outbreak
Travel advice
For help and advice on how to protect people from coronavirus (COVID-19) in your workplace contact the HSE.