Many of our members have reached out to us to seek advice, help or support with regards to Coronavirus. We understand that it is not only staffing that is a concern but contracts / sales / orders, cash flow, supply chain etc. As the impact of the pandemic is changing daily, we understand that it is difficult to get all of the correct advice and plan accordingly.
By being a member of Moray Chamber of Commerce, you have access to regional, national, and international businesses. If you are coming up against an issue or problem, or would like to learn how other businesses are dealing with certain elements of COVID-19, please complete the form below and we can seek to get the answer for you from our ever-growing network.
We understand the rural challenges that Moray faces and a pandemic such as this could isolate us, we urge you to work together and support where you can. There is a high risk of many businesses laying off staff or closing their doors and we want Moray to come together as a community to help all of our businesses, regardless of sector or size, to survive this.
We’ve signposted a variety of websites below which we will be monitoring daily.
09/21JCVI issues advice on third dose vaccination for severely immunosuppressed
The JCVI is advising that people with severely weakened immune systems should have a third vaccine dose as part of their primary COVID-19 vaccination schedule.
This third dose should be offered to people over 12 who were severely immunosuppressed at the time of their first or second dose, including those with leukaemia, advanced HIV and recent organ transplants. These people may not mount a full response to vaccination and therefore may be less protected than the wider population.
This offer is separate to any potential booster programme. The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) is still deliberating the potential benefits of booster vaccines for the rest of the population and is awaiting further evidence to inform this decision.
Studies are ongoing to see how effective a third dose is for immunosuppressed people, but it is very unlikely to cause any harm. Therefore, on balance, the JCVI’s view is that a third dose can be safely offered as it may increase their protection.
08/21 Beyond Level 0 guidance & face coverings FAQs
Scottish Chambers of Commerce have produced a summary of the key aspects of current COVID-19 guidance and requirements, now that Scotland has moved beyond Level 0.
An FAQ document on face coverings: where they are required, recommended and what exemptions exist for them, has also been produced.
Links to these documents in PDF form can be found via the links below.
These documents has been constructed by SCC in an attempt to make this information more accessible and presentable to Scottish businesses.
The summary guidance includes sections on the following issues: • Social distancing and reopening • Homeworking and return to offices • Face coverings and other workplace issues • Self-isolation and contact tracing (including exemptions from self-isolation)
If you have any further questions or there are areas where your business / sector still have questions, please notify your local chamber or SCC as soon as possible and we will raise these with relevant Scottish Government officials as we seek to refine the remaining Covid-19 baseline mitigation measures.
08/21 Coronavirus (COVID-19): Workplace testing rolled out to boost recovery
Organisations with ten or more employees can now sign up for asymptomatic workplace testing as part of an enhanced drive to identify emerging coronavirus (COVID-19) cases and break chains of transmission.
Free lateral flow device (LFD) tests have been made more widely available as the country emerges from lockdown restrictions and moves beyond level 0.
The testing regime is voluntary and organisations can adopt an LFD Collect model to distribute among workers or implement their own asymptomatic test site (ATS) model in workplaces.
Workplace testing in Scotland had previously been targeted at prioritised areas of the public sector, critical national infrastructure and private businesses with higher transmission rates.
04/08/2021 Changes to COVID-19 restrictions from Monday 9th August
Almost all of Scotland's remaining Covid-19 restrictions are to end from 9 August.
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon confirmed that Scotland will move to 'beyond level zero' from Monday 9th August.
The move to beyond level zero means:
Social distancing will be dropped in most settings, meaning more capacity in pubs and restaurants and larger crowds at sporting events and concerts.
Close contacts of those who test positive for Covid will no longer have to self-isolate - as long as they are fully vaccinated and test negative.
The wearing of face coverings will remain mandatory in all settings that are currently mandatory.
Venues will still be expected to collect customer details for contact tracing.
The first minister also said a "gradual approach" will be taken to returning workers to offices, with employers encouraged to consider hybrid models of working.
The current limits on the number of people who can meet up will be dropped, as will social distancing rules in most settings.
This means nightclubs will be allowed to reopen, and larger crowds will be allowed to gather for indoor and outdoor events - although organisers of large events will still need to apply to local councils for permission.
The rules around self-isolation will also change, meaning that fully-vaccinated adults who are identified as a close contact of a positive case will no longer have to isolate if they return a negative PCR test.
The government is still considering whether a certificate proving people have been vaccinated will be needed to enter "higher-risk" events.
The First Minister has confirmed that while the changes would restore a "substantial degree of normality", she said they do not "signal the end of the pandemic or a return to life exactly as we knew it".
Critical staff working in the health, food and transport sectors can apply to be exempt from self-isolation, under a new Scottish government scheme.
People who work in the emergency services, government and finance could also qualify for an exemption.
But they must be double vaccinated, have a negative PCR test and agree to take daily lateral flow tests.
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said the changes would "ensure staff shortages do not put key services at risk".
The exemptions would be limited and applied on a "case by case basis and only where absolutely necessary", she added.
Previously anyone who came into contact with someone who had tested positive must isolate for 10 days.
The new scheme will allow employers to apply to the Scottish government for permission to exempt those who work in critical roles and where staff shortages could jeopardise essential services.
The exemption will only be granted where workers have voluntarily agreed not to self-isolate.
The Scottish government has said employers who meet the definition of Critical National Infrastructure can apply for the exemption. There are 13 national infrastructure sectors:
14/07/2021 Scotland to ease COVID measures from Monday but with 'certain modifications'
Scotland is to move to level zero of Covid restrictions on 19 July, but mandatory use of face coverings is to remain in place for "some time" and other indicative changes have been put on hold.
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said the planned easing had to be modified due to the spread of the Delta variant.
The move to level zero means more people will be allowed to meet indoors and attend weddings and funerals.
However, limits on outdoor meetings are to be maintained, and the return of workers to offices is to be delayed.
Ms Sturgeon said "sensible precautions" had to be maintained while the vaccine programme continues.
She said she still hoped Scotland could move beyond level zero from 9 August - the point at which the government aimed to scrap most legal restrictions.
Ministers also plan remove the blanket requirement for close contacts of those who test positive to self-isolate - as long as they have had two doses of vaccine - at that point.
And fully-vaccinated people returning from amber list countries will not need to quarantine as of Monday, as long as they take a test after arrival.
However, the first minister told MSPs that mandatory precautions like the mandatory wearing of face coverings and guidance on ventilation and hand hygiene would remain in place "for some time".
The move to level zero means:
Up to eight adults from four households can meet indoors at home, and up to 10 can meet in a pub or restaurant - with no need to pre-book a two-hour slot.
Up to 15 people from 15 households can meet outdoors, and up to 200 can attend weddings and funerals.
Plans have, however, been modified in light of high case numbers:
Hospitality venues will be required to close at midnight.
Some physical distancing rules are to be maintained outdoors, with different groups of 15 required to stay at least 1m (3ft 3in) apart in public spaces - meaning there may be limits on some outdoor events.
A "gradual" return to office working was due to be part of the move to level zero, but this has now been put back to 9 August.
The Scottish Government now expect all of Scotland to move to Level 0 on the 19th of July.
Subject to further confirmation but it is expected that physical distancing restrictions will be removed completely outdoors on 19th July and move to 1 metre indoors.
Some "minor" changes will be phased in before this - removing staff and suppliers of wedding services from the cap on numbers at services from Monday and allowing live entertainment at receptions, and allowing people from more than one household to help carry a coffin at a funeral.
A phased return to offices can begin form the 19th of July, SG will encourage a hybrid approach, expected to encourage consultation between employers and employees, FM has encouraged a phased approach based on employee needs.
It is expected that life beyond Level 0 will take place from 9th
August, where all restrictions will be removed, but will be based on over 40s being double vaccinated and alleviating other covid harms.
The move to level zero will increase the number of people who are allowed to meet up indoors, cut the requirement for physical distancing indoors from 2m (6.5ft) to 1m (3.2ft), and increase the number of people allowed to attend wedding and funerals to 200.
21/05/2021 The First Minister has today announced that Moray will move to Level 2 from midnight tonight.
We are delighted to hear the news that Moray will move to Level 2 , this announcement comes as a welcome relief for businesses who have worked so hard with significant investment to provide Covid-safe environments to safely welcome back their customers and employees. Our focus now needs to be on rebuilding confidence and ensuring the messaging for the local area is that Moray is safe and open for business.
What can be done in level 2
you can meet socially in groups of up to:
6 people from 3 households in your home or theirs – and can stay overnight
6 people from 3 households in an indoor public place like a café, pub or restaurant
8 people from 8 households outdoors
under 12s do not count towards the total number of people or households meeting outside but do count towards household numbers indoors
you do not need to physically distance from family and friends in a private home
you can travel anywhere in Scotland in Levels 0, 1 or 2 but must not enter a Level 3 or 4 area unless you have a permitted reason like going to work or caring for a vulnerable person
you can travel to England, Wales, Northern Ireland, the Isle of Man or the Channel Islands - before you travel you must check the travel rules in those countries
you can provide informal childcare, for example to look after a grandchild
up to 50 people can attend weddings and funerals
tradespeople can carry out any work in your home such as painting, decorating or repairing
you should work from home where possible
What can open at Level 2
Places and business that can open at Level 2 include:
cafés, pubs and restaurants
all shops and stores
all close contact services including hairdressers, barbers and beauty salons
gyms, leisure centres and swimming pools
tourist accommodation
visitor attractions
public buildings like libraries and community centres
20/05/21 Details Announced For Level 3 Moray Business Support
Details have been published today for the financial support available to Moray businesses impacted by remaining in level 3 of covid-19 restrictions.
There are three distinct funds available for businesses to gain support through:
Moray Local Restrictions Grant
Discretionary Business Fund (Hospitality & Tourism Supply Chain)
Discretionary Business Fund Level 3 Restrictions NDR
The Moray Local Restrictions Grant
This provides funds to eligible businesses that previously received financial support through the Strategic Framework Business Fund (SFBF) or the Small Accommodation Providers Paying Council Tax Support Fund. They will receive grants to cover up to a two-week period from 17 May 2021. More information can be found here Moray Local Restrictions Grant - Moray Council
Grants are on track to be processed by Friday 21 May 2021 and businesses do not need to re-apply for this fund.
Discretionary Business Fund (Hospitality & Tourism Supply Chain)
This fund is for supply chain businesses to the Hospitality & Tourism sector, such as catering van, bus tour operator, laundry services or cleaning services. A one off a one-off payment of £500 will be available to successful applicants.
Please send the completed form with all required supporting documents to dbfund@moray.gov.uk
*Please note that this fund will be issued on a first come first served basis for complete applications & will close once the allocated budget is spent. It is important that all documentation requested is submitted with the applications for it to be considered complete.
Discretionary Business Fund Level 3 Restrictions NDR
This fund is for eligible businesses which missed out on the SFBF either through not having previously applied or started trading before 14 May 2021.
Please send the completed form with all required supporting documents to dbfund@moray.gov.uk
*Please note, only applications with supporting documents via email to address listed will be accepted. Please do not send hardcopies or emails to any of the other business support funds. Applications will start to be processed from 21 May 2021 onwards.
More information on the funds, eligibility, deadlines and processing dates can be found below.
14/05/2021 Moray to remain in Level 3 for 1 week
1. What has been announced?
The First Minister has announced that Moray will remain in Level 3 from Monday. As soon as other areas of Scotland move to level two, with Moray in level three, a new set of restrictions around travel & transport come into effect. It will be forbidden to enter or leave Moray for leisure purposes.
2. How long will Moray be in level three?
Moray will remain in Level 3 for a week and be reviewed at the end of next week.
3. What funding support is in place?
The First Minister announced funding will be made available and administered by the local authorities.
The Moray Local Restrictions Grant provides grants to specific businesses in Moray that are impacted by the Scottish Government’s decision to retain Protection Level 3 Restrictions in response to rates of COVID-19 in the Moray area.
Full information on the funding available can be found here *
*Further information on Moray Council’s Local Authority Discretionary Fund will be sent out as soon as it becomes available.
Statement of the announcement from Moray Chamber of Commerce can be found below
11/05/2021 Final decision levels in Moray to be decided on Friday
The First Minister has today confirmed that most of Scotland is set to drop to level 2 Covid restrictions from Mon 17 May, Moray however, may remain in level 3 with a final decision to be made later this week.
Today the First Minister has announced that the level Moray will be in from next Monday remains undecided and will be announced later this week.
However, the FM also advised that if Moray stays at level three, it will be for as little time as necessary and financial assistance will be given to businesses affected. We will keep you updated in due course on the decision made and any funding associated.
Full statement from the First Minister can be found here
20/04/2021 Mainland Scotland will move into level 3 from Monday 26th April
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has confirmed further easing of restrictions as Mainland Scotland will move into level 3 as planned on Monday.
This will allow:
Non-essential travel between Scotland, England and Wales will be permitted, and tourist accommodation in Scotland can reopen subject to socialising rules.
Shops will be able to fully reopen with precautions including physical distancing requirements, face masks and hand sanitiser in place.
Gyms and indoor sports facilities, including swimming pools, will reopen for individual exercise, with group activities permitted for under-18s, and all organised outdoor activity can resume except adult contact sport.
Limits on attendance at life events, including weddings, civil partnerships, funerals and receptions for those will increase to 50.
Pubs, cafes and restaurants will be able to reopen outdoors for groups of up to six people from up to six households with alcohol allowed in line with local licencing laws. Indoors they will be able to open for groups of up to six people from up to two households until 8pm (alcohol cannot be served).
Takeaways will be able to resume normal service, with physical distancing and face masks inside premises.
Mobile close contact services such as beauty salons can resume.
Non-essential work in other people’s homes can resume (including cleaning, repairs, and painting and decorating)
Further details on the level 3 restrictions can be found below.
Ms Sturgeon said that if the data continues to improve, the whole of Scotland will move to level two on 17th May.
14/04/2021 Travel ban in Scotland to be lifted from Friday 16th April FM has announced
The Covid-19 restriction on travelling around Scotland is to be lifted from Friday, while people are to be allowed to meet up in larger groups outdoors.
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said measures were being eased earlier than planned to help people's mental health.
People will be allowed to meet in groups of up to six adults from six households in outdoor settings.
And they will be permitted to travel across Scotland to do so, as long as they do not stay overnight.
Other restrictions are expected to be eased from 26 April - with premises including shops, gyms, pubs and restaurants due to reopen on a restricted basis.
Hospitality businesses will need to close their doors at 20:00 indoors and 22:00 outdoors, with alcohol only allowed to be served outside.
Restrictions on travel from Scotland to other parts of the UK are also expected to be lifted from 26 April.
From 17 May, pubs will be able to open indoors until 22:30 and contact sports, cinemas, and some small scale events will be able to take place.
Up to four people from two households will also be able to meet up indoors from the date.
09/04/2021 Moray Council COVID-19 Discretionary Business Restart Grant
The current Discretionary Business Fund has now closed and a new fund has now opened.
The aim of this fund is to mitigate the short-term financial challenges being experienced by businesses adversely impacted by restrictions and regulations introduced since October 2020 to control the spread of COVID-19.
The Discretionary Business Restart Grants provides a one-off restart grant of £8,000 to successful applicants which pay NDR & have not been able to access any funding since October 2020 with the exception of any small Discretionary Business Fund grants. Please note that this fund will be issued on a first come first served basis for complete applications & will close once the allocated budget is spent. It is important that all documentation requested is submitted with the applications for it to be considered complete.
Eligibility criteria:
Business trading prior to 31/10/2020
Business is based in Moray
Business has valid a VAT, PAYE, Companies House registration, SCIO, CIC or UTR number or evidence of application.
My business premises are registered for Non-Domestic rates (if you pay rates through your landlord rather than directly to a Council, you are still eligible to apply but must provide evidence of this arrangement through copy of your lease agreement).
Business is not eligible for any coronavirus funding support since October 2020 with the exception of a small Discretionary Business Fund grant.
Business has not received an enforcement notice as a result of breaching Covid-19 regulations
Business is not in administration, insolvency or received notice to be struck off Companies House.
My business would normally have an annual turnover of more than £60,000
My business employ’s less than 50 staff
My business has suffered a negative financial impact from COVID-19 restrictions.
Examples of business that may benefit from this fund.
Trades – Construction, Plumber, Painter & Decorator, Joiner, Laundries etc. who have been restricted from entering people’s homes, or restricted site operations and travel.
Kennels and catteries that have been restricted and seen a significant reduction.
Auto repair/Garages with reduction in trade due to MOT delays and restrictions on staff and social distancing.
Newsagents, takeaways and other retail that has remained open, had no access to other grants but have suffered from lower footfall and customer levels.
Please send the completed form with all required supporting documents to dbfund@moray.gov.uk
Please note, we will only accept applications with supporting documents via email to this address. Please do not send hardcopies or emails to any of the other business support funds.
We will start processing applications from 12 April 2021 onwards & please do not send follow up enquiries or emails, as it slows down the process.
06/04/2021 Nicola Sturgeon confirms secondary schools in Scotland will reopen full-time to all pupils
Nicola Sturgeon has confirmed high schools across Scotland will reopen full-time to virtually all pupils when the Easter holidays finish.
The First Minister announced some pupils could be back in class five days a week as soon as next Monday, depending on which council area they live in.
Scotland's "stay at home" lockdown order will be lifted on Friday, First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has confirmed. Hairdressers, garden centres, car showrooms and forecourts, homeware stores and non-essential click and collect services will be able to open from Monday 5th. People are also being told to "stay local" and remain within their local authority boundaries for the next three weeks.
Speaking at the Scottish Tourism Alliance conference, First Minister Nicola Sturgeon announced a new £25 million tourism recovery programme.The funding is to support the sector’s recovery from the pandemic and programme includes plans such as holiday vouchers, a new marketing fund and days out incentives.Find out more here here: http://ow.ly/gHC650E7hvA
16/03/2021 Latest on lockdown easing from Scottish Government
The First Minister Nicola Sturgeon MSP has outlined the latest update on lockdown restrictions as well as key milestone dates moving forward for the easing of lockdown.
Please see below an initial summary of what was announced:
2 April
lifting the ‘Stay at Home’ requirement and replacing it with a ‘Stay Local’ message (retaining the current, local authority-based travel restrictions for at least a three-week period)
5 April
extending outdoor socialising to permit up to 6 people from up to 3 households to gather
allowing 12-17 year olds to meet outdoors in groups of 6 from up to 6 households
travel within all of mainland Scotland permitted (subject to other restrictions that remain in place)
remaining shops can reopen and mobile close contact services can resume
gyms can reopen for individual exercise
tourist accommodation to reopen (self-catering accommodation to be restricted in line with rules on indoor gathering)
work in people’s homes to resume
driving lessons to resume
weddings and funerals for up to 50 (including wakes and receptions with no alcohol permitted)
libraries, museums, galleries re-open
outdoor hospitality to open till 22:00 with alcohol permitted. Indoor hospitality permitted without alcohol and closing at 20:00
social mixing in indoor public places will be subject to current maximum of 4 people from up to 2 households
*The prohibition of in-home socialising will continue to be kept under review at this date.
12/19 April, depending on term times
all children back to school full-time
26 April
Assuming the data allows it, SG expect a more significant reopening of the economy and society from 26 April. This will likely include the following easings:
extending outdoor socialising to permit up to 6 people from up to 3 households to gather
allowing 12-17 year olds to meet outdoors in groups of 6 from up to 6 households
travel within all of mainland Scotland permitted (subject to other restrictions that remain in place)
remaining shops can reopen and mobile close contact services can resume
gyms can reopen for individual exercise
tourist accommodation to reopen (self-catering accommodation to be restricted in line with rules on indoor gathering)
work in people’s homes to resume • driving lessons to resume
weddings and funerals for up to 50 (including wakes and receptions with no alcohol permitted)
libraries, museums, galleries re-open
outdoor hospitality to open till 22:00 with alcohol permitted. Indoor hospitality permitted without alcohol and closing at 20:00
social mixing in indoor public places will be subject to current maximum of 4 people from up to 2 households The prohibition of in-home socialising will continue to be kept under review at this date.
17 May
From 17 May, SG hope to introduce the following easings:
re-introducing in-home socialising for up to 4 people from up to 2 households
further re-opening of hospitality: bars, pubs, restaurants and cafes can stay open until 22:30 indoors with alcohol permitted and 2 hour time-limited slots and until 22:00 outdoors with alcohol permitted
adult outdoor contact sport and indoor group exercises can resume
cinemas, amusement arcades and bingo halls can re-open
small scale indoor and outdoor events can resume subject to capacity constraints (to be confirmed following stakeholder engagement)
colleges and universities can return to a more blended model of learning
more in-person (face-to-face) support services can resume
non-professional performance arts can resume outdoors
Business Support
on 22 March, one final four-weekly payment of the SFBF, with no new claims permitted
on 19 April, all SFBF recipients automatically given a combined two-week supplement and a one-off restart grant: up to £7,500 for eligible retail premises; and up to £19,500 for eligible hospitality and leisure The infrastructure for the SFBF will be retained and used as required in future for business support linked to any local outbreaks
Travel
Discussing with the aviation sector this week what conditions would need to be met to restart nonessential travel to some international destinations again. Like the UK Government, SG are certain that this won’t be possible before 17 May and maybe for some time after. Even when overseas travel does resume, SG say that it is very likely that pre-departure and post-arrival testing will remain in place for some time to come. Will be kept under close review.
Ban on non-essential travel between Scotland and the rest of the UK and the wider Common Travel Area (CTA) (i.e. the Republic of Ireland, the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man) will also be kept on review, with a view to relaxing the ban – or targeting it only on travel to and from particular areas in the rest of the CTA – when it becomes safe to do so.
12/03/2021 Mobile And Home Based Close Contact Services Fund & the Newly Self-Employed Hardship Fund extended
The Scottish Government has today confirmed that the application deadlines for the Mobile And Home Based Close Contact Services Fund and the Newly Self-Employed Hardship Fund have both been extended to 23:59 on the 23rd of March.
Mobile And Home Based Close Contact Services Fund
This funding is being provided by the Scottish Government.
Eligible applicants will receive a one-off £4,000 payment (£2,000 for the period to end December 2020 and a further £2,000 to cover the period from January 2021 onwards).
To be eligible for this grant you must:
• have been operating your business before 17 March 2020 • have lost income as a result of Covid-19 restrictions • meet all of the eligibility criteria
This fund is for owners and operators of mobile and home-based close contact service businesses and for registered driving instructors. It is not for employees of those businesses.
Make sure you read the guidance carefully before submitting your application. There is no appeals process after the fund closes.
This grant scheme is designed to help alleviate financial hardship for newly self-employed people. The funding is being provided by the Scottish Government and offers a one-off £4,000 payment for those whose status as being newly self-employed makes them ineligible for the UK Government’s Coronavirus (Covid-19) Self-employment Income Support Scheme.
More people will be able to socialise outdoors following good progress in suppressing Coronavirus (COVID-19), the First Minister has announced.
Up to four adults from two households will be able to meet locally in any outdoor space, including in private gardens, for social and recreational purposes as well as exercise from Friday 12 March. People should only go indoors if it is essential in order to reach a back garden, or to go to the toilet.
Outdoor non-contact sports and group exercise will also resume for adults in groups of up to to 15 people from this date.
Young people aged 12 to 17 will be able to meet outdoors in groups of up to four people from four different households, participate in outdoor non-contact sports, and other organised activities in groups of up to 15 and travel across local authority boundaries to participate in such activities.
(09/03/2021) Discretionary fund open to more businesses
With funding from the Scottish Government increasing to £1.65 million, Moray Council is widening the eligibility criteria for the Discretionary Business Fund.
The grant offer will now include those businesses trading up to 31 October 2020 whereas it previously only covered those trading before 31 March 2020. The requirement for a 30% negative impact has also been removed, with the fund now open to any business with a negative impact regardless of amount.
Eligible businesses can apply for the Discretionary Business Fund online.
The new eligibility criteria is as follows: • Business trading prior to 31/10/2020 • Business is based in Moray • Business has valid a VAT, PAYE, Companies House registration, SCIO, CIC or UTR number or evidence of application • Business is not eligible for any coronavirus funding support since October 2020 • Business not included in any planned future funds • Business has not received an enforcement notice as a result of breaching Covid-19 regulations • Business is not in administration, insolvency or received notice to be struck off Companies House • Business would normally have an annual turnover of more than £3,000 • Business has suffered a negative financial impact from COVID-19 restrictions.
04/03/2021 Newly Self-Employed Hardship Fund – Open for Applications
This grant scheme is designed to help alleviate financial hardship for newly self-employed people who meet the eligibility criteria set out below.
The funding is being provided by the Scottish Government.
The scheme offers a one-off £4,000 payment for those whose status as being newly self-employed makes them ineligible for the UK Government’s Coronavirus (Covid-19) Self-employment Income Support Scheme.
The deadline for applications is 5pm on 16 March 2021.
23/02/2021 Nicola Sturgeon outlines Scotland's roadmap out of lockdown
Nicola Sturgeon has announced today, a road map to reopening Scotland's economy - including shops, bars, restaurants, gyms and hairdressers - is expected to start in the last week of April
Below is a breakdown of the strategic framework outlined in today's briefing:
Phase 1 (22nd February) early learning and childcare and schools open for Primary 1-3 pupils and senior phase pupils for essential practical work. Limited increase in the provision for vulnerable children. Care homes opening to facilitate meaningful contact between relatives/ friends and residents.
Phase 2 (unlikely before 15 March) - More school reopening - Non-contact outdoor group sports for 12-17 year olds. Socialising rules eased, to allow outdoor meetings of 4 people from 2 households.
Phase 3 - (at least three weeks later - possibly 5 April) Stay-at-Home requirement removed. Third and final phase of schools reopening if required. Places of worship can open on a restricted numbers basis. Essential retailers list expanded slightly and click-and-collect resumes for non-essential retail.
Phase 4 - possibly 26 April) Limited other easing within Level 4, including permitting non-essential work in people’s homes. Return to variable Levels approach. This will enable the graduated opening up of economic and social activity.
Eligible applicants will receive a one-off £4,000 payment (£2,000 for the period to end December 2020 and a further £2,000 to cover the period from January 2021 onwards).
The fund will remain open for a four-week period. The deadline for applications is 5pm on 16 March 2021.
The scheme offers a one-off £4,000 payment for those whose status as being newly self-employed makes them ineligible for the UK Government’s Coronavirus (Covid-19) Self-employment Income Support Scheme.
The fund will remain open for a four-week period. The deadline for applications is 5pm on 16 March 2021.
Moray Council COVID-19 Discretionary Business Fund
The aim of this fund is to mitigate the short term financial challenges being experienced by businesses adversely impacted by restrictions and regulations introduced since October 2020 to control the spread of COVID-19. It enables individual local authorities to direct additional financial support to specific groups, sectors or businesses within their local business communities who have not been able to receive any recent funding and are not likely to benefit from the planned future funding schemes.
The Discretionary Business Fund provides a one-off payment of £2,000 to successful applicants. Please note that this fund will be issued on a first come first served basis for complete applications & will close once the allocated budget is spent. It is important that all documentation requested is submitted with the applications for it to be considered complete.
Eligibility criteria:
Business trading prior to 23rd March 2020
Must be based in Moray and have fewer than 50 FTE employees
Must have a valid VAT, PAYE, Companies House registration, SCIO, CIC or UTR number
Business has not been eligible for any coronavirus funding since October 2020
Before March 2020 must normally have an annual turnover of more than £3,000
Business has not received an enforcement notice as a result of breaching COVID-19 regulations
Business is not in administration, insolvency or received notice to be struck off Companies House
Business can evidence a 30% negative financial impact from COVID-19 restrictions
Please send the completed form with all required supporting documents to dbfund@moray.gov.uk
Please note, only applications with supporting documents via email to this address will be accepted. Please do not send hardcopies or emails to any of the other business support funds.
Processing of applications will start from 15th January onwards and please do not send follow up enquiries or emails, as it slows down the process.
04/03/2021 – Businesses offered free on-site covid-19 testing in Moray
Testing in the community for residents not showing symptoms of covid-19 is now being offered in Moray. This will take place in various locations, including Forres, Buckie, Keith and Elgin, for the next three months.
This offer is being extended to on-site testing for businesses in Moray from 15th February, when you’ll start to see marquees set up in car parks around the region.
If you would like to take advantage of this free testing capability please contact Moray Council’s Environmental Health team on ehadmin@moray.gov.uk with an indication of the number of staff potentially being tested. Please also provide details of the space that can be used, either outside the building or inside, if there is a suitable location for a more discreet testing option. Space requirements will be discussed with each business.
A new £7.75 million funding package will offer support to fishermen, seafood businesses and ports and harbours threatened by the ongoing effects of coronavirus (COVID-19) and EU Exit.
The package includes:
£6.45 million for the Seafood Producers Resilience Fund which will provide support to eligible shellfish catchers and producers, in addition to trout farmers who have faced issues exporting to the EU and have lost access to domestic food markets as a result of COVID-19
£1 million to be made available to support the investment plans of ports and harbours faced with a loss of income through landing fees
up to £300,000 to assist the welfare and emergency support activities of the Fishermen’s Mission in recognition of the hardship facing people working in the sector at this time.
02/02/2021 Marine and Outdoor Tourism Restart Fund – Applications now open
This fund is for Scottish-based marine and outdoor tourism businesses who have been significantly affected by COVID-19 and are facing seasonal re-commissioning and re-start costs ahead of the 2021 season. The £2.5 million fund is being delivered on behalf of the Scottish Government by VisitScotland together with Sail Scotland and Wild Scotland.
Applications for the fund are now open. Applications must be received by 5pm on Tuesday 9 February.
Due to the complexity and breadth of businesses within the sector, a two-strand approach to grant funding is necessary to meet the needs of the sector. Businesses may only apply to one strand.
The Scottish Government has introduced extra rates relief discounts to help owners of non-domestic properties, including businesses, deal with the impact of coronavirus.
The discounts include:
1.6% relief on all non-domestic properties in Scotland
100% rates relief for retail, hospitality and leisure businesses
Small Business Bonus Scheme
Payment deferral
Support for water bills
The rates relief is available to non-domestic properties from 1 April 2020 to 31 March 2021. Retail, hospitality, leisure and aviation businesses will have their relief extended for at least an additional three months.
You do not need to apply for the following relief – it will be applied to your bill automatically by your council:
1.6% relief on all non-domestic properties in Scotland
100% rates relief for retail, hospitality and leisure businesses
You need to apply for the Small Business Bonus Scheme through your local authority by completing an application form. You should be able to find this on your council’s website.
For payment deferral, you need to contact your local authority.
For water bills support, you should contact your water services supplier directly.
28/01/2021 Local Authority Discretionary Fund
A £60 million fund will be distributed by local authorities (local councils) across Scotland. It will help with the short-term financial challenges being experienced by businesses.
Marine and Outdoor Tourism Restart Fund
This fund is for Scottish-based marine and outdoor tourism businesses who have been significantly affected by COVID-19 and are facing seasonal re-commissioning and re-start costs ahead of the 2021 season.
Support for Travel Agents
This fund is to support travel agents in Scotland. The Scottish Government recognises the specific challenges faced by this sector and one-off grants will be given through local authorities to eligible businesses.
Brewers Support Fund
This fund is to support Scotland’s brewing sector. The Scottish Government recognises the specific challenges faced by this sector and one-off grants will be given through local authorities to eligible businesses.
The Scottish Government is providing funding support for Indoor Football Centres in Scotland, in recognition of the specific challenges they are experiencing as a result of COVID-19.
Scotland Inbound Tour Operators Fund
This fund has been established to provide financial support for Scottish-based businesses in the International Inbound tour operator sector critical to Scotland’s tourism economy.
The Resilience & Recovery Loan Fund (RRLF) is a new fund for social enterprises and charities that are improving people’s lives across the UK who are experiencing disruption to their normal business model as a result of COVID-19.
This new fund aims to provide support to businesses whose main income comes from the wedding and civil partnerships industry, which has been significantly impacted as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. It’s provided by the Scottish Government and administered by Scottish Enterprise, South of Scotland Enterprise and Highlands and Islands Enterprise.
The fund offers a fixed grant amount based on turnover. The funding tiers are:
A £5,000 grant for businesses with a pre-COVID-19 turnover between £10,000 and £49,999
A £10,000 grant for businesses with a pre-COVID-19 turnover between £50,000 and £99,999
A £15,000 grant for businesses with a pre-COVID-19 turnover between £100,000 – £249,999
A £25,000 grant for businesses with a pre-COVID-19 turnover of more than £250,000
Applications will be appraised in the order they’re received until the full fund has been allocated.
There’s no fixed closing date for this fund – it will close when the full fund has been allocated.
Applications open on 28th January, and can be applied through the Find Business Support website.
20/01/2021 Review of current restrictions – no changes to current measures until mid-February
Current lockdown measures will stay in place across mainland Scotland and some island communities until at least the middle of February, the First Minister confirmed today.
In addition, Barra and Vatersay will move into lockdown from 00:01 on Wednesday following a sharp increase in infection rates. The rest of Comhairle nan Eilean Siar will remain in level 3.
Schools across Scotland will also continue to use remote learning until at least the middle of February except in the case of vulnerable children and those of key workers.
Taxi and private hire drivers who have received state benefits at any time since March last year will now be eligible for a £1,500 business support grant as long as they meet the remaining criteria.
Business Minister Jamie Hepburn confirmed that the change would come into effect immediately to ensure that drivers on the lowest incomes can access support.
Following identification of a new variant of Coronavirus (COVID-19) in Brazil, the Scottish Government will impose additional restrictions on arrivals.
From 04:00 on Monday, all country exemptions from self-isolation after international travel will be suspended.
Passengers travelling to Scotland from outside the Common Travel Area will be required to isolate for ten days on return. They must also have a valid negative COVID-19 test result, taken no more than three days before the scheduled time of departure.
Most people from outside the CTA who meet the limited criteria to travel to Scotland will still require to undertake pre-departure tests and must have a valid negative COVID-19 test result taken no more than three days before the scheduled time of departure. This will be checked by operators, and passengers with a positive test result or an invalid certificate will be refused boarding.
It remains the case that travel to or from Scotland without a reasonable excuse is not permitted.
11/01/2021 First minister announces further tightening of current restrictions
Further tightening of current restrictions have been outlined by the first minister today.
Click and collect services will be limited to essential items only from Saturday. These services will need to ensure a staggered collection service.
Take away services will be restricted to serving customers through hatches (no longer be able to serve customers from inside their premises)
Alcohol will no longer be able to consumed outdoor in level 4 areas from Saturday.
There will be a legal obligation on employers to allow working from home. Requirement for only “essential” work taking place in private home (e.g by tradespeople) will be put into law.
Amendment to regulations regarding staying at home. People will only be able to leave their homes and remain outside for essential purposes.
Further details can be found here and we will keep you updated through our website as and when more information is available.
11/01/2021 Finance Secretary announces additional support for Leisure, Hospitality and Retail
Finance Secretary Kate Forbes has announced top-ups to the grant support available for hospitality, retail and leisure businesses who have been forced to close due to level 4 restrictions.
The Finance Secretary has said “As promised, this additional support for hospitality, retail and leisure businesses will be available this month, in some cases doubling or tripling the amount of support we are providing. Applications are open now and payment will be made this month.”
In addition to the grants businesses receive through the Strategic Business Framework Fund, eligible businesses will also get a one off grant of:
£25,000 for larger hospitality businesses on top of the 4-weekly £3,000
£6,000 for smaller hospitality businesses on top of the 4-weekly £2,000
£9,000 for larger retail and leisure businesses on top of the 4-weekly £3,000
£6,000 for smaller retail and leisure businesses on top of the 4-weekly £2,000
We will bring you further detail as and when it becomes available and more information can also be found here:
The first minister has announced today that as of midnight tonight, mainland Scotland will be in ‘lockdown similar to March’. There is some changes to March lockdown so please read the guidance on what this means for your business.
The Level 4 restrictions that will be applied across Scotland for three weeks from 26/12/2020 will be reviewed after 14 days.
Hospitality businesses will have to close for all but takeaways, and that non-essential shops will also be forced to shut their doors.
Ms Sturgeon said “given the severity of the situation” the definition of non-essential retail was being applied more widely, so that homeware stores and garden centres will also have to close, apart from click-and-collect services.
While current Level 4 restrictions prevent people from leaving their local council area unless this is essential, Ms Sturgeon said from Saturday the “strong advice” would be for people to “stay as local as possible and at home as much as possible”.
She added: “We will be considering in the days ahead whether we need to place that advice in law.”
21/12/2020 – Fergus Ewing MSP, outlined further details on the specific sectoral business support packages that will be available in January 2021.
The funding is part of the short term response to the Scottish Tourism Recovery Taskforce recommendations and follows discussions with industry to target support, both of which the Chambers have been closely involved in. We have alsourged the Scottish Government to get behind a comprehensive package of support that will ensure businesses can preserve as many jobs as is possible over the coming weeks and months, in light of the recently announced changes to restrictions which will take place from Boxing Day. Details and opening dates for all funding pots will be announced in due course.
Please see a summary of these packages below:
£19.2 million to provide one-off grants for hospitality businesses
£50.8 million for businesses with a rateable value of more than £51,000 that have not received support from the Pivotal Enterprise Resilience Fund or Hotel Support Programme and some additional support to smaller businesses impacted by restrictions
£11.8 million for international inbound, coach tourism and domestic tour operators
£7 million for self-catering
£5 million for visitor attractions
£2.5 million for outdoor tourism
£2.3 million for hostels
£2 million for ski centres
£1.5 million for travelling show people ineligible for other support
£1.2 million for Destination Management Organisations
£1 million for B&Bs and guest houses excluded from the latest Non Domestic Rates scheme
19/12/2020 – First Minister announces changes to Christmas restrictions and imposes country wide LEVEL 4 restrictions from BOXING Day.
The first minister has announced that to protect Scotland from a new strain of coronavirus she has implemented the following restrictions:
the planned easing of restrictions around Christmas will be for Christmas day only, travel within Scotland is allowed on this date only. Travel between Scotland and the rest of the UK will not be legal.
legal household limits will still apply – a maximum of 8 people from 3 households – however advice is that this a maximum and not a ‘target’
from 26th December, all of Scotland will have Level 4 restrictions applied, including the closure of non-essential retail and hospitality. The only exceptions will be Orkney, Shetland and the Western Isles, and the other island communities where restrictions have been reduced in recent weeks, who will be placed in Level 3. These restrictions will last for a minimum of 3 weeks.
This is a huge blow for us in Moray when our cases are so low and businesses have spent thousands becoming COVID secure.
from Boxing Day, in line with existing law, travel across local authority boundaries between areas in Level 3 or 4 will not be legal other than for specific exempt purposes
9/12/2020 – NEW £185 million package for business includes:
£5 million for the wedding sector and its supply chain, including photographers
one-off grants totalling £15 million for mobile close contact services, such as hairdressers
a £19 million fund and one-off grants for taxi drivers
£5 million for travel agents
almost £6 million for coach companies and tour operators
