COVID19

Latest Update (updated 7 June 2021)

(COVID-19) Coronavirus restrictions: what you can and cannot do

Restrictions in Cheshire West and Chester

Who should self-isolate; how to self-isolate; how to look after any symptoms at home. Also sections about how people can get financial help to tide them over the self-isolation period, how to get essential shopping, where to get support with wellbeing and even tips on how to cope with boredom.

Financial Support for Businesses

Restart grants - support for business from April 2021. Restart grants will not be awarded automatically, you must apply if you meet the eligibility criteria. Apply before 30 June 2021.

The Government announced grant support for non-essential retail, hospitality, accommodation, leisure, personal care and fitness and sports businesses in England who are liable for business rates and trading as at 1 April 2021. The scheme is a one-off grant called the Restart Grant and the amount a business receives will depend on the type of business and the rateable values.

Restart Grant Scheme seminar video - seminar took place on the 7 April 2021 and provided more details about the new Restart Grant Scheme, an overview of the Additional Restrictions Grants (ARG) - please note the ARG has now closed - and explained the application process.

Recovery Loan Scheme supports access to finance for UK businesses as they grow and recover from the disruption of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The government guarantees 80% of the finance to the lender. As the borrower, you are always 100% liable for the debt.

The scheme is open until 31 December 2021, subject to review.

COVID-19 Testing

COVID-19 testing for workers who cannot work from home and don't have symptoms - regular and rapid COVID testing is available for Cheshire West and Chester workers who cannot work from home. Business advice on Asymptomatic Testing Centres flyer with more details and advice. More information available on the Cheshire West and Chester Council website.

LFT testing for businesses with over 250 employees that are still operational should email P-and-PSector@dhsc.gov.uk to discuss testing arrangements. To register their interest in the scheme, large businesses must send their company name, registration number, contact details and sector type, along with the number of employees to P-and-PSector@dhsc.gov.uk with ‘Register interest for National Worker Programme’ in the subject line.
Business contract tracing resources are now available on the Cheshire West and Chester Council’s website; resources to guide business through the contact tracing process, case recording, etc.

Further Information

Local restriction tiers: what you need to know (advice and guidance from Gov.uk)
Cheshire West and Chester Council website - further information and guidance
Support for businesses affected by coronavirus restrictions - Gov.uk Business Guidance link

Information available on other COVID funding support

Check out our News Section for the further updates

Further Assistance - COVID Business Enquiry Form

Working with Council Services During the Pandemic

Cheshire West and Chester Council, guidance and advice on working with: Regulatory Services; Planning and Building Control; Licensing; Work Zones; etc. during the pandemic.

Advice from Regulatory Services for non-essential businesses during the current lockdown.

COVID-19 Fund: Let's Turn This Around!

Our communities have been hit hard by COVID-19 and we have been blown away by the support that community initiatives have provided our residents. Groups across Cheshire West and Chester have been providing invaluable services throughout the pandemic, helping make sure everyone has been able to receive the support they need.

Pledging towards our campaign will help us to continue to support the vital work of organisations combatting food poverty, social isolation, poor mental health, financial hardship and much more. By working together, we can provide funding for community initiatives #letsturnthisaround