Recovery, Renewal, Resilience

During response, individuals and organisations have shown a huge outpouring of support through donations of their time and resources. Now, with people going back to work and assuming their pre-COVID activities, people and organisations may have less time to volunteer to the effort, or there may be less suitable volunteer opportunities available. Instead, people may want to show their solidarity in other ways, including by making financial donations. Consider establishing a relief fund, and publicizing its cause, to give an organised mechanism for people and businesses to show their solidarity. An organised mechanism should give people confidence that their donations will be governed appropriately.

To accommodate social distancing rules, businesses such as bars and restaurants are able to use additional outside space. In Manchester city (UK), quick applications for temporary tables and chairs licences have been developed by the local council for those expressing interest in expanding their operations. Business owners are required to upload a scale plan of the proposed licensed area with the application. East Devon District Council (UK) provide the following COVID-19 checklist for businesses before they begin operations:

• Undertake a licence health check and a risk assessment to comply with COVID-19 regulations e.g. social distancing guidelines; hygiene information; entry/exit routes; pick up/drop off instructions; service and payment instructions
• Ensure the Designated Premises is named on the licence (the DPS) and still working at the premises, and update any changes to the premises licence or registered address
• Ensure relevant amendments are made to the current licence e.g. opening hours, operational conditions, or layout/plan. New areas may not be licensed e.g. the bar area may have changed
• Follow-up planning consent for building works and ensure compliance. Bars, marquees, structures or fixed furniture outside for more than 28 days may need planning consent
• Liaise with neighbours and resident associations as noise levels may increase due to outdoor operations so residents may be affected by noise
• Assess if the premises licence is fit for purpose e.g. modifications to trading hours or working conditions

The 'Edinburgh Lockdown Economy' is a listings directory for businesses in the city that has launched an interactive online experience to support firms suffering from lost revenue. The online directory provides an opportunity to resume trading for businesses that are struggling to run their usual services. Consider facilitating similar local platforms that allow:

• Small businesses to host virtual tours or experiences of their products and venues
• Customers to join live sessions such as wine tasting or massage workshops
• Products related to each experience or workshop to be delivered to customers in time for them to take part in the event
• Electronic payments to support less digitally enabled businesses