Coronavirus advice for businesses in Scotland
Latest updates
- Phase 1: Physical and business distancing guidance from the Scottish Government's route map for moving out of lockdown. (29 May 2020)
- Guidance on restarting the forestry sector safely has been published by Scottish Forestry (29 May 2020)
- Food Standards Scotland has updated its guidance for food business operators and their employees (29 May 2020)
- Support for businesses and local authorities and protecting consumers from the Office for Product Safety and Standards (28 May 2020)
- New Scottish Government guidance for the construction sector, retailers and manufacturers to consider how people can safely return to work. (28 May 2020)
- Test and Protect - Scottish Government advice for employers (26 May 2020)
- Advice from HMRC on how to deal with the economic impacts of coronavirus - videos, free webinars and support available to help you (28 May 2020)
- Employers are now able to make claims through the Coronavirus Statutory Sick Pay Rebate Scheme (26 May 2020)
Your top questions answered
Applications for the following two funds have now closed:
- Pivotal Enterprise Resilience Fund
- Creative, Tourism and Hospitality Enterprises Hardship Fund
Read further information about the status of your application
These grants are part of the £100 million fund announced by the Scottish Government to support the self-employed and SMEs. (30 April 2020)
Apply for a coronavirus Bounce Back Loan. Small and medium-sized businesses affected by coronavirus (COVID-19) can apply for a loan of up to £50,000 which will be guaranteed by the UK Government (4 May 2020)
Find UK-wide coronavirus financial support for your business. This new service launched by the UK Government covers most, but not all, business support available to businesses in Scotland. Keep looking here for the latest UK and Scottish Government updates (27 April 2020)
The UK Job Retention Scheme (furlough) that pays 80% of wages of workers on leave because of coronavirus has been extended by a further four months to October. The UK Government will ask companies to "start sharing" the cost of the scheme from August. (12 May 2020)
- Check if you can claim for your employees' wages through the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (14 May 2020)
- How to make a claim (14 May 2020)
- Read this step-by-step guide for employers (11 May 2020)
Small businesses can now apply for the Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme (CBILS). They have changed eligibility criteria to make it easier for businesses to access funds. (6 April 2020)
Find advice about Local Authority grants to help with the impact of the coronavirus (COVID-19) on your business.
Help tackle the coronavirus emergency by manufacturing essential supplies, developing technological solutions and more.
Find guidance for the construction industry from the Scottish Government. Work on construction projects should stop unless it's supporting crucial work during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. (1 May 2020)
Read updated social distancing guidance for businesses in Scotland to help provide clarity on protecting your employees in the fight against coronavirus (COVID-19). (21 April 2020)
Explore this free service for employers looking to fill jobs due to the coronavirus pandemic launched by Skills Development Scotland. This is a free platform to share immediate job opportunities in Scotland.
Find advice on business continuity planning from Business Gateway to help you minimise potential impact.
Watch a free online tutorial on business contingency planning
Read this action list for businesses to consider during the current pandemic.
Find advice on business continuity management from the UK Government including a toolkit to help you identify all the issues you need to consider.
Test and Protect - Scottish Government advice for employers (26 May 2020)
You can claim back sick pay through the Coronavirus Statutory Sick Pay Rebate Scheme (26 May 2020)
How to claim for wages for employees on temporary leave ('furlough') due to coronavirus (14 May 2020)
Find redundancy support from Skills Development Scotland. Free support for businesses of any size, no matter how many employees are involved.
Get free, impartial advice from Acas on workplace rights, rules and best practice.
Usual sick leave and pay entitlements apply if you or an employee has coronavirus.
By law, anyone classed as an employee has the right to take time off work to help someone who depends on them (a 'dependant') in an unexpected event.
Flexible working is more important than ever as work practices change to tackle coronavirus - Get support and advice at Flexibility Works (17 April 2020)
Read updated social distancing guidance for businesses in Scotland to help provide clarity on protecting your employees in the fight against coronavirus (COVID-19). (21 April 2020)
Search advice by topic
Sources of finance
Information for businesses, the third sector and the self-employed.
Business rates and tax
Support and advice on business tax, rates and accounts.
Support by industry sector
All sectors in Scotland are experiencing the impacts of the coronavirus outbreak, some more than others.
Business continuity
Find important checklists explaining the steps you should be taking to prepare for potential disruption.
Business insurance
Information about the impact of the coronavirus on business insurance.
How you can help
Find out how you and your business can support the coronavirus effort.
Protecting your workforce
Guidance on employment, key workers, furloughed workers, including sick leave and pay entitlements.
Personal and public health
Help and advice for individuals, care workers, employers and businesses.
Travel disruptions
Guidance for British travelling and living overseas on how to stay safe and healthy.
Government action
Government plans to tackle the outbreak and measures in place to support businesses.
Webinars
Webinars and tutorials about the impact of the coronavirus and general business development advice.
Learning online
A list of online learning events including how to build your business online.
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