Dear Chambers of Commerce,

I hope you are all keeping well in these difficult times.

Wealden District Council is offering advice to businesses about how to comply with the current Coronavirus restrictions and what to do before re-opening.

Business may only re open if they are allowed by law to do so. A full list is available on our website at https://wealdengovuk.azurewebsites.net/safe-food-and-healthy-workplaces/

If a business is legally allowed to open they must be “Covid Secure”, to prepare for this they should prepare a risk assessment.

Where a business employs less than five people the risk assessment doesn’t have to be written down.

HM Government have provided full advice, some weblinks below.

Restaurants offering takeaway or delivery
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/working-safely-during-coronavirus-covid-19/restaurants-offering-takeaway-or-delivery

Offices and contact centres
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/working-safely-during-coronavirus-covid-19/offices-and-contact-centres

Factories, plants and warehouses
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/working-safely-during-coronavirus-covid-19/factories-plants-and-warehouses

It is expected that non-essential shops will re-open on 1st June, specific advise is available at
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/working-safely-during-coronavirus-covid-19/shops-and-branches

Should local businesses require further advise on preparing risk assessments please advise them to email us at foodhs@rother.gov.uk

Since the pandemic began we have been patrolling Wealden district to check that businesses are complying with the restrictions and giving advise over the telephone. If you have concerns about the operation of a business please email us at foodhs@rother.gov.uk

I hope you find this information useful,

Kind regards

Una Kane FRSPH

Environmental Health Manager
Environmental Health Service
for Rother and Wealden Councils