Business re-opening guidance

As businesses start re-opening, it is important that businesses follow the Government’s latest guidance. We aim to signpost you to the latest information.

• List of what can/can’t re-open from 4 July

You must not reopen if your business is closed under current government rules.

If you find a business that shouldn’t be open, you can report them online.

As we receive more guidance we will update this page with more localised information. We are currently looking at ways to support the hospitality sector re-opening – please read our hospitality reopening guide.

Be the first to know by signing up for business updates.

We are working with businesses to support safe re-opening and will review the ongoing and changing situation. Some of the practical steps to support the safe opening of shops include:

• Suspending non-essential road works around busy retail areas to reduce conflict on footpaths
• Making it easier for the public to use active travel to move around the city
• Temporarily removing some parking spaces to create space for social distancing
• Changing the positioning of market stalls in the city to prevent clashes with shop queues
• Encouraging the public to think about how they travel to shops and the way they shop, to reduce the spread of coronavirus
• Installing social distancing signage and street markings around main retail areas
• Providing guidance and advice to support businesses

Please read the queue management guide and make sure you have the correct processes in place.

You can view a list of proposed changes to roads in Portsmouth to help businesses re-open.

The government, in consultation with industry, has produced guidance to help ensure workplaces are as safe as possible during the coronavirus pandemic.

Further information and guidance:

• Guidance for keeping workers and customers safe in restaurants, pubs, bars and takeaway service 
• Guidance for keeping workers and clients safe in close contact services
• Guidance for people who work in hotels and guest accommodation, indoor and outdoor attractions, and business events and consumer shows (the visitor economy)
• NHS FAQs for work places
• Working safely – guides for businesses

Shops in England selling non-essential goods must display a notice visibly in their shop windows or outside their store to show their employees, customers and other visitors that they have followed this guidance. Download the notice here.

PortCreative, the council’s integrated digital, design and marketing agency, has also produced useful safety posters which Portsmouth businesses can download and print free of charge. They include social distancing messages, handwashing, no entry signs and one way directional signage.

• Download the free safety posters for businesses

The government has asked councils to produce local outbreak control plans to help monitor the rate of coronavirus in that area and respond quickly to any places where two or more people are confirmed as having coronavirus. This will help to stop the virus from spreading to lots more people. This is important as lockdown restrictions ease and is a key part of trying to return to a more normal way of life.

You can find this plan and an easy-read summary on the Local Outbreak Control Plan Page.

If a member of your staff develops symptoms (a new continuous cough, high temperature or loss/change to their sense of taste or smell) they must be sent home immediately and should self-isolate whilst they book a test. It’s important that they request a test straight away. They can do this on www.nhs.uk/coronavirus or by calling 119.

You should alert the Public Health Team at Portsmouth City Council to any potential cases of coronavirus where staff are going for testing. Please email publichealth@portsmouthcc.gov.uk. This puts them in the best position to support you if the person tests positive for coronavirus.

If you have a confirmed case of coronavirus in your business, Public Health England’s Health Protection Team will also need to be notified by calling 0344 225 3861. You will be supported to follow all necessary procedures to ensure the safety of your staff and any customers or visitors.