The rise in Covid-19 cases and emergence of the Omicron variant mean the government has enacted ‘Plan B’ to help curb the spread of the virus. But what does Plan B mean for you, and what does your Sandwell business need to do?

Work from home

The government is advising the re-introduction of working from home, for those who can, from Monday 13 December.

See our page of support for people working from home.

Know the rules on face coverings

From Friday 10 December it will be mandatory to wear face coverings in most public indoor venues, including theatres and cinemas.

There are exemptions for when wearing a face covering is not practical, including when eating, exercising, singing and in hospitality settings.

Read the full updated rules and list of settings at the government website.

Get up to date with the NHS COVID Pass

From Wednesday 15 December, the NHS COVID Pass will be mandatory for attending nightclubs and large events, including unseated indoor venues with more than 500 people, unseated outdoor venues with more than 4,000 people and any venue with more than 10,000 people.

People can show either proof of two vaccine doses or a negative lateral flow test result.

In order for your venue to comply with this new rule, and to assist people to access and show their NHS COVID Pass before entry, encourage people to download the NHS App.

The NHS App is free to download and is available on the App Store or Google Play.

It offers access to the NHS COVID Pass and also health advice.

To help you inform people who are due to visit your venue or event in the coming weeks, here are some downloadable posters and a
video for your website and social media accounts.

Go to our coronavirus support pages for Sandwell businesses.