As coronavirus escalates, the government announces trading restrictions and further financial support
The government has said that cafes, pubs, bars, restaurants, night clubs, gyms and leisure centres must close after they finished trading tonight (Friday). The chancellor clarified that this list represents businesses whose main purpose is for social gatherings.
The new restrictions do not currently apply to hair salons, barbershops or beauty salons. However, the government website has been updated since the Chancellor’s announcement and the list has been extended to include ‘spas, wellness centres and massage parlours.
We are seeking urgent clarification from the government about hair salons, barbershops and beauty salons as there is also a considerable degree of contact with clients in providing these services.
Hilary Hall said, “We will not have clear answers on this until Monday but it is clear that the aim is to reduce social interaction to prevent the spread of the virus. To protect the safety of their staff and clients many salons are already closed or are considering closing.While salons operating in gyms, spas or leisure centres must close, individual hair salons, barbershops and beauty salons must decide what course of action to take. The government has tonight announced a raft of measures to provide financial support which will help salon owners make those decisions.”
The financial measures announced by the government include:
The Chancellor said, “That means workers in any part of the UK can retain their job, even if their employer cannot afford to pay them, and be paid at least 80% of their salary” and that the scheme would be extended if necessary. He said the system for claiming grants would be in place as soon as possible, expected to be by the end of April but that the first grants would be paid ‘within weeks’.
He urged employers to make use of other grants and loans already announced until the new Coronavirus job retention scheme is fully operational.
Other measures included:
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