Guidance has been published to help small businesses provide a safe working environment where those entering the premises can feel confident about the precautions put in place.

There are 4 main steps to the health and safety guidance:

1. Assess the risks to yourself, your employees, your suppliers and your customers.
2. Consult with your employees before you reopen.
3. Put in place infection and control measures.
4. After re-opening, keep checking and reviewing.

Link: Information on Risk Assessments Covid 19

Andrew McRae, the Federation of Small Businesses’ (FSB) Scotland Policy Chair, said:

“It’s in everyone’s interests to get as many small businesses as possible back up and running as quickly as is safe.

“But to do so, small businesses need to make a lot of changes to how they work – often involving lots of complex, changing information.

“That’s why we asked the Scottish Government to help them cut through the mountain of information by providing some clear steps to follow. This is particularly important for all the smallest businesses who don’t fit neatly into a specific sector – the dog groomer, say, or the portrait photographer.”

Many small businesses may find that home working and flexible hours have worked well and may continue to , at least in part, continue with that set up.

Those that have premises are expected to adopt the safe working conditions which includes physical distancing, hygiene and a thorough cleaning regime.

You can find out more here: Coronavirus (COVID-19): small and micro businesses guidance

Commenting on the safe re-opening of this vital sector to Scotland’s economy  , Fiona Hyslop, Economy Secretary in the Scottish Government  said:

“Over 98% of all businesses in Scotland have less than 50 employees so it is critically important that they can re-open as soon as it is safe to do so.

“This guidance, developed in partnership with employers and trades unions, provides the information small and micro businesses need to ensure the safety of staff and customers as they re-open.

“And we are providing grant support worth over £1 billion to businesses as part of a wider support package worth over £2.3 billion and we will continue to do all we can to support this vital sector.”

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