Coronavirus (COVID-19) regulations guidance: work, business, hospitality, tourism and sport

Work and business

Employers should make every effort to help people to work from home where they can. But where work cannot be done at home, employers should take clear, practical steps to help protect workers and create safe places to work.

In consultation with industry, guidance has been produced on how to work safely in different types of workplace.

Advice and guidance is available at the following links:

• nibusinessinfo - working safely in different business settings
• nibuisnessinfo - guide to making workplaces safer
• nibusinessinfo - workplace safety guidelines and social distancing
• HSENI - advice and guidance for places of work
• Invest NI: coronavirus (COVID-19) operational excellence checklists
• COVID-19 in a business setting - a quick guide for employers

Tourism and hospitality

The Department for the Economy and Tourism Northern Ireland have developed guidance for:

• business owners, operators and workers in hotels and other tourist accommodation
• indoor and outdoor attractions and experiences
• hospitality businesses including restaurants, cafes, pubs and bars

The guidance is intended to help businesses make decisions that will enable them to re-open as safely as possible for both their workers and customers.

Advice and guidance is available at the following links:

• Tourism NI - working safely during COVID-19 in the visitor economy
• Tourism NI - guidance for hotels and accommodation
• Tourism NI - guidance for restaurants, pubs and bars

Financial support for impacted businesses

Financial support is available for businesses that have been required to close, or have had business activities at their premises directly curtailed by current health protection regulations.

Localised Restrictions Support Scheme

Eligible businesses will receive the following amounts for every week these restrictions apply:  

• Small businesses (up to £15,000 Net Annual Value) – £800
• Medium businesses (£15,001 - £51,000 Net Annual Value) – £1,200  
• Large businesses (over £51,000 Net Annual Value) – £1,600

Full details on eligibility and how to apply be found on the nibusinessinfo website. 

Covid Restrictions Business Support Scheme

The Covid Restrictions Business Support Scheme will support businesses which meet the following criteria:

The business is:

• restricted within the Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) (No.2) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2020 but is not eligible for the Localised Restrictions Support Scheme (LRSS)

or the business meets all of the following:

• is within the supply chain of businesses restricted by the Regulations and as a result has been significantly impacted
• is operating in Northern Ireland and was trading immediately prior to 16 October 2020
• is not included in the scope of funding already allocated to Executive Departments to respond to COVID restrictions

Full details on the amount of support available, an eligibility checker and application form can be found on the nibusinessinfo website.

Other support

Depending on your situation, additional financial support is also available from the Department for Communities. More information is available on the following page.

• Coronavirus (COVID-19) and Benefits

Sport

There is further detailed information and sources of advice and assistance on sporting events at these links: 

• The Safe Phased Return of Sport, Leisure and Recreation in Northern Ireland
• Coronavirus (COVID-19): Framework for a Return to Sport