Information for Businesses

• Before reopening you MUST ensure the safety of your premises by following these five steps:

  • Carry out a coronavirus risk assessment
  • develop cleaning, hand washing and hygiene procedures
  • take all reasonable steps to help people work from home
  • take all reasonable steps to maintain two metre social distancing where possible
  • where people cannot be two metres apart, do everything you can to manage risk

   

• When you have completed these steps you should display a notice in your premises to show you have followed all the guidance.

• If your building was closed or has reduced occupancy during the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak, water system stagnation can occur due to lack of use, increasing the risks of Legionnaires’ disease. You must follow the advice provided by the Health and Safety Executive.

• Increase the frequency of handwashing and surface cleaning

  • Frequently clean objects and surfaces that are touched regularly such as tills and credit card machines.

  • Make sure there are adequate disposal arrangements for used wipes, cloths etc

• Make every reasonable effort to keep people 2m apart wherever possible
• Encourage customers to shop alone where possible, unless specific assistance is needed
• Encourage one-way flows through signage where possible
• Manage queues, keep 2mtrs apart at checkouts
• Let your customers know verbally and through signage how you are managing your space.

• Display signs and posters of good handwashing technique and the need to increase handwashing frequency.
• Instruct staff to avoid touching their faces and to cough or sneeze into a tissue which is binned safely, or into your arm if a tissue is not available.
• Provide hand sanitiser in multiple locations in addition to washrooms.
• Where possible, provide paper towels as an alternative to hand dryers in handwashing facilities.

• Consider very carefully whether fitting rooms should be open, given the challenges in operating them safely.
• Clean them very frequently, typically between each use.
• Create procedures to manage clothes that have been tried on, for example delaying their return to the shop floor.
• Limit contact between customers and colleagues during fitting, for example by suspending fitting assistance or cleaning after every use.
• Use size tags so that customers only handle relevant garments.

Increase handwashing and sanitising when goods are delivered to your premises.

• There are some circumstances when wearing a mask or face covering may be marginally beneficial as a precautionary measure. The evidence suggests that wearing a face covering does not protect you, but it may protect others if you are infected but have not developed symptoms.
• Wearing a face covering is optional and is not required by law. If you choose to wear one, it is important to use them properly by washing your hands before putting them on and taking them off.
• Employers should support their workers in using face coverings safely if they choose to wear one.

All regular trade waste collections will continue as usual. Retailers are reminded however to contact the Councils waste team to ensure that you have sufficient bags to enable for the safe and secure disposal of waste. If you use private waste companies, then early engagement is recommended.

We will be listening to government advice as lockdown measures are eased and regularly monitor and review the pedestrian and road usage layout.

In time, as more businesses reopen, we may be able to provide cafes, bars and restaurants space to trade on the highway pedestrian areas. We do however need to ensure that structures do not impact upon the safe passage of pedestrians and/or negatively affect the ability of pedestrians to maintain social distancing.

Early indications suggest that in some locations it will be difficult to accommodate outdoor seating whilst also retaining safe places for pedestrians to walk. As a consequence the council will not in the short term be issuing any new licenses for outdoor seating areas. Operators will be able to operate existing licenses however this situation will be kept under review for the reasons stated. Early contact with our Planning and Streetcare teams is therefore recommended.

Advertisement Boards require advertisement consent from the Planning Authority unless they are displayed within a defined forecourt. It’s therefore important to check before displaying any adverts.

Advertisement Boards can be especially problematic to town centre users who are visually impaired, as they can form an obstruction and trip hazard. It's also important that we keep footpaths clear to provide as much space as possible for ALL pedestrians to be able to socially distance. We are therefore asking businesses to refrain from putting out advertising boards at this time

All existing loading bays within our town centres will remain open for use.

In addition to using existing loading bays within all three town centres, the pedestrianised areas in Neath and Port Talbot town centres will continue to be available for deliveries before 10.30 and after 17.00 on a daily basis.

The latest government advice on how your business can work safely during the coronavirus pandemic is available at https://gov.wales/coronavirus  

For the latest business advice and information for Neath Port Talbot please visit www.npt.gov.uk/coronavirus

The Health and Safety Executive has advice on social distancing, keeping businesses open and in-work activities https://www.hse.gov.uk/coronavirus/working-safely/index.htm