As businesses start to re-open from today (15th June), support is available to ensure premises are COVID-secure, protecting customers and staff. 

Local council regulators have produced a toolkit of resources to help businesses carry out a COVID-19 risk assessment and re-open safely. This includes practical guidance on how businesses and retailers can:

• put controls in place to mitigate the COVID-19 risk;
• implement social distancing within business premises;
• manage queues; and
• ensure effective cleaning and hygiene processes are in place.

The toolkit also provides guidance for specific sectors such as food businesses, market traders and sports clubs.

It was produced by a cross-county regulatory working group, led by the Better Business for All (BBfA) partnership, as part of a co-ordinated response to support Hertfordshire businesses to re-open with confidence.

Other resources include guidance for businesses looking to diversify their products or services, start trading online, comply with rules regarding delivery, cancellations and returns and much more.

Lauren Dovey, Better Business for All Programme Manager for Hertfordshire, said: “The BBfA partnership strives to simplify the delivery of business regulation. The toolkit was produced with this in mind, in response to feedback from businesses requesting clear guidance on how to become COVID-secure, especially in terms of carrying out risk assessments and implementing measures to trade safely in what is the ‘new normal’. 

“As we continue to produce more resources, we welcome feedback from businesses to ensure we are delivering the support that they need. We would also encourage business owners to share best practice and learn from one another, and to reach out to the expert regulatory teams at their local councils if in need of further assistance.”

For further advice and support, please contact your local Environmental Health team (contact details are available on your district/borough council website) or contact Hertfordshire Trading Standards: Business advice | Hertfordshire County Council

Hertfordshire County Council has also put in place a series of public health-led measures to support the safe re-opening of our town centres; learn more about town centre changes. 

As the lockdown is eased, signage will soon be displayed across the county, urging people to stay socially distanced, follow signs and markers, be patient and considerate towards one another and shop locally. A series of practical posters and signage to ensure that you keep yourself, your employees and your customers safe is available to:

View and download.