SUPPORT | CORONAVIRUS UPDATE & SALE
We understand that it is a scary and confusing time for small businesses after the Government's update yesterday.
The government has issued advice to avoid non-essential social contact, at this time this is only advice and it is a not a full ban. It is essential for nail technicians to have physical contact in order to carry out their services and earn a living, but at this time exactly what to do, is not clear.
Ultimately, at this time, the decision to keep your business open is up to you and your clients (if they are comfortable still attending their appointments).
If you remain open, strictest hygiene and sanitisation measures should be practised. If you are mobile, you may feel more comfortable asking clients to come to your home as you have full control over hygiene. Ask clients who are unwell to not attend appointments.
GENERAL ADVICE & FURTHER GOVERNMENT GUIDANCE
- Ensure clients wash their hands for at least 20 seconds with soap and water when they arrive
- Ask them to not touch or use their mobile phones until they have left
- Wear gloves and change them after each appointment
- Wipe down all surfaces (including your lamp) after each appointment
- Sanitise all tools and file between clients
- The virus is spread mainly through droplets from coughing and sneezing, if a client has a cough or is sneezing, ask them to cancel their appointment.
- If you are coughing continuously or have a fever, new advice is to self-isolate for up to 14 Days if are you living with others. If anyone in your household has symptoms, you should also self-isolate (even if you are symptom-free).
- The virus is also spread from touching infected surfaces, although the virus cannot enter through the skin if you touch your face, nose or eyes the virus can enter through mucus membranes (this is why handwashing is essential and avoiding any contact with your face)
- Check if you fall into the 'Increased Risk' Category
- If you are pregnant, please click here for further advice
Advice is changing daily, so please ensure you are keeping up to date.
View NHS Website for full guidance
GOVERNMENT ADVICE FOR SELF-EMPLOYED SUFFERING FROM CORONAVIRUS OR ARE HAVING TO SELF-ISOLATE
Citizen's Advice Writes:
''You can't get SSP if you're self-employed. If you have to take time off work and you don't get paid while you're off, you might be entitled to claim benefits. If you're already claiming benefits, you might get more money.
If you already get benefits like Tax Credits or Housing Benefit, tell the office paying you that you can't work because you're sick. You might be entitled to more money while you're off work.
If you're not claiming any benefits you might be entitled to claim Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) or Universal Credit to top up your income.''
Check if you can claim ESA here
The Government have said that they will waiver face to face appointments for any new claims for ESA.
''For people who need to make a new claim for financial support. We understand people who are required to stay at home or are infected by coronavirus may need financial support, and quickly. We announce that: those affected by coronavirus will be able to apply for Universal Credit and can receive up to a month’s advance upfront without physically attending a jobcentre the 7 waiting days for ESA for new claimants will not apply if they are suffering from coronavirus or are required to stay at home – so it will be payable from day one''
View full Citizen's Advice Guidance
If you have full Business Insurance it may cover illness and/or epidemics/pandemics. Please check your insurance documents to see if you have any additional cover. Unfortunately, it is unlikely to be covered with just Public Liability insurance.
At this time we are not planning to close unless we have to. We are hoping that the worst-case scenario we will be able to run with a skeleton team to enable us to get orders out for those that need them (unless we are forced to shut).
We are very aware if we shut, this impacts thousands of small business who may need stock in a time where their businesses are most vulnerable. Of course, we will keep you all updated.
Taking the above into consideration and the updates from the Government last night, we have decided to bring our Stock Take Sale forward. It was planned from Monday, 23rd of March. This is to pre-empt any advice to shut all non-essential medical businesses, which may impact on delivery companies and of course, IH HQ.
At this time, Royal Mail and DPD are running as normal but things are changing quickly on a daily basis and we would like to plan for the worse case to ensure you can receive your orders if you need stock (if that happens).
We advise you to place orders this week if possible for any essentials you may need. Offers are available right away on the phone.
Due to bringing the sale forward, at this time the sale is only available on phone orders as it will take us some time to prepare for it online. Please see the brochure for what is on offer and full T&Cs.
Please don't hesitate to contact us if you have any questions.
Keep safe,
IH x