It’s hard to know where you stand when it comes to Covid. Government restrictions can change at a moment’s notice, and it’s almost inevitable that businesses will suffer when a lot of people are wary of leaving the house.

But support is available, if you know where to look. And there are plenty of resources that’ll give you the most up-to-date information when it comes to restrictions and regulations.

What Support is Available for Businesses Impacted by Covid?

The government is still running its Test and Trace Support Payment scheme.

This is a £500 payment for people on low incomes who have to self-isolate after they test positive for Covid-19. It’s also for people who have been in close contact with someone who’s tested positive.

Until recently, the government listed some criteria for exemption from self-isolation. For example, you didn’t have to self-isolate if you were fully-vaccinated. But from 30 November 2021, these exemptions no longer apply if NHS Test and Trace notifies you that you’ve been in close contact with someone who’s tested positive for the Omicron variant.

Head here for a full guide to the government’s Test and Trace Support Payment scheme. This government resource provides detailed information on who’s eligible to receive this support. It will also tell you how to apply.

Unfortunately, this scheme is only available in England.

The government also runs a dedicated service to help you find support for your business – whether you’re self-employed, a sole trader, or a limited company director.

For example, take a look at the support that’s available for self-employed business owners in England.

Head here to find out what sort of support is available for you.

Where Else Can I Get Support?

Some local councils offer their own support schemes.

Depending on where you live, you might be able to get money to help with living costs, and help getting food and other essentials. Some councils even offer support for local businesses.

Head to the government’s site to see if your local council offers any support. Just enter your postcode to get details of support that’s available in your local area.

Get The Most Up To Date Government Advice on Covid

One of the most frustrating aspects of the past few years has been how rapidly the government changes its rules and regulations. You might see different accounts and interpretations depending on where you look.

So ignore the newspapers, and ignore social media, and instead head straight to the government’s online Covid hub.

There you can see all recent and upcoming changes, with the most up-to-date guidance and regulations right at the top of the page. Even better, you can switch between England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales, so there’s no need to worry about whether regulations differ in your country.

Head here to access the government’s online Covid hub.

Travelling If You’ve Had Covid

Do you need to travel for business reasons in the next few months?

If you’ve recovered from Covid in the past 90 days, you can apply for a “proof of recovery” certificate once your period of self-isolation is over. Just bear in mind that it can take up to 10 days following your quarantine for this proof to appear on your app.

So in the meantime, you can talk to your GP about a recovery letter. And if you’re travelling in the next few days, you can get a certificate within 24 hours from certain private medical platforms.

Can I Claim On My Business Insurance for Covid?

If covid’s seriously impacted your business, you might be wondering if you can make a claim on your business interruption insurance.

We took a close look at this issue early on in the pandemic. Head here to read our full guide to claiming on your business interruption insurance for covid.

In January 2021, the supreme court ruled that insurers should pay businesses affected by covid if they make a claim on their business interruption insurance. However, even with this ruling, unfortunately not all insurers will be able to claim. It all depends on your insurer, on your business insurance policy, and on the nature of your claim.

If you have any questions or would like to discuss your options please contact our Tapoly team at info@tapoly.com, call our helpline on +44(0)2078 460 108 or try our chat on our website.