What to do if you have a positive coronavirus case/s at your business

This information aims to support you to respond to a case or outbreak of coronavirus (COVID-19) linked to your business

• This pdf from Hampshire County Council advises on the steps to take.  Hampshire County Council guidance on what to do in the event of a COVID-19 case/s (Hampshire County Council) [266.72KB] 

Public Health England information for different workplace settings

These guides from Public Health England are intended to be printed or downloaded to keep on-hand for easy reference in your business or organisation:

Retail sector

• Shops and branches
• Hairdressing, barbershops, beauty and nail bars, makeup, tattoo and spray tanning studios
• Dress fitters, tailors and fashion designers

Food and hospitality

• Restaurants, bars, cafes and takeaways
• Hotels and other guest accommodation

Leisure and tourism

• Spas, sports and leisure locations
• Cinemas, theatres, comedy and music venues
• Arts, heritage and cultural venues
• Tourist attractions
• Campsites and caravan parks
• Entertainment and holiday resorts

Workplaces

• Manufacturing of food and other large processing plants
• Construction and other outdoor work

Communications for businesses if you have a confirmed case or outbreak linked to your business

You may need to consider how to manage communications if you have a confirmed case or outbreak linked to your business, whether this is to staff, customers, suppliers, the media or the public. You may have communications support from within your own organisation who will be able to advise you. However, for smaller businesses you may find the communication advice below helpful.

Single confirmed case reported to your business

The following social media message can be used if you have been advised of a single confirmed case linked to your business and you feel you need to communicate via social media. 

"We have been advised of a positive COVID-19 case linked to our business. We are working with NHS Test and Trace and would reassure you that all precautions are being taken to protect our customers, staff and the wider community."

(In a single case it is unlikely that you will have been advised to close your business in which case you may choose to add something like the following to your social media message):

"We are open for business as usual and look forward to continuing to welcome our customers."

Multiple cases reported to your business

In this situation, it is likely that you will have already been contacted by one or more agencies such as Public Health England's South East Health Protection team, Hampshire's County Council's Public Health team or us your Food and Safety Team.

After their initial risk assessment with you and dependent on the circumstances, they can provide communications support which may include:

• Information to staff
• Information for customers and visitors
• Initial social media statements

Media handling

There may be media interest when multiple cases are reported linked to a business. With these more complex situations, media enquiries will be managed by Hampshire County Council's communications team working in conjunction with Public Health England's communication team.

If you have any queries or require further information, please contact us.

Email: eandr@nfdc.gov.uk

Phone: 023 8028 5411

Food and Safety Team
New Forest District Council
Appletree Court
Beaulieu Road
Lyndhurst
Hampshire
SO43 7PA