Today a further 320 cases of COVID-19 have been identified, the highest daily total in NI, since the current testing model was rolled out.
As the Government continues to respond to the public health emergency, I have provided an update on the opening times for the hospitality industry.
In the face of rising unemployment, the NI Executive has announced financial support to help the apprenticeship system respond to the impact of COVID-19. Supporting our young people to develop the skills that businesses will need is an important part of the recovery programme.
Finally, we still await the outcome of the Brexit negotiations. As part of the preparations for Brexit, the UK Government’s new NI Trader Support Service went live yesterday. If you trade with GB it is important that you register.
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colm@newrychamber.com
Colm Shannon,
Chief Executive Officer
Newry Chamber of Commerce & Trade
SUMMARY OF NEW CLOSING TIMES FOR THE HOSPITALITY SECTOR
The NI Executive announced today that a closing time of 11:00pm should be applied to the Hospitality Sector.
This new closing time will come into effect from midnight on Wednesday 30th September 2020 and apply to those parts of the Hospitality Sector subject to current regulations, including pubs, bars and cafés as well as hotel and guest house bars.
No alcohol or food will be served after 10:30pm and all customers must leave by 11:00pm. This brings normal closing times forward by half an hour and there will be no late licences.
There are no exceptions to this, so weddings and other important social events will also be required to comply.
NEW NI TRADER SUPPORT SERVICE IS NOW LIVE
The New Gov’t NI Trader Support Service is NOW LIVE, providing education and guidance for traders who move goods between NI & GB under the NI Protocol.
The free-to-use digital service will help businesses and traders of all sizes to navigate the changes to the way goods move once the NI Protocol comes into effect on 1st January 2021.
The Government is urging businesses to SIGN UP to the NI Trader Support Service with fewer than 100 days until the end of the transition period.
You can also choose to use the new service to handle digital import, safety and security declarations when the NI Protocol comes into effect on 1st January 2021.
If you trade with GB, it is important that you sign up for this scheme.
RECRUITING PEOPLE FROM OUTSIDE THE UK FROM 1ST JAN 2021
From 1st January 2021, freedom of movement between the UK and EU will end and the UK will introduce a immigration system, treating all applicants equally, regardless of where they come from.
Anyone employers want to recruit from outside the UK, excluding Irish citizens, will need to apply for permission first. The requirements are different for each visa.
The new system will not apply to EEA or Swiss citizens you already employ in the UK. EEA and Swiss citizens living in the UK by 31st December 2020 and their family, can apply to the EU Settlement Scheme, which they have until 30th June 2021 to apply.
From 1st January 2021, you’ll need to have a sponsor licence to hire most workers from outside the UK.
CORONAVIRUS APPRENTICESHIP RECOVERY PACKAGE
The Department For The Economy has developed an Apprenticeship Recovery Package for NI that will channel financial support to local businesses to help the apprenticeship system respond to the impact of the COVID-19 crisis.
The Coronavirus Apprenticeship Recovery Package includes short-term interventions which are targeted to reduce significant longer-term economic impacts.
These interventions will reduce unemployment and ensure that employers continue to have access to people with the skills and qualifications needed to maintain productivity, to grow their businesses and to assist in closing the skills gap, ensuring that more people have a pathway to better paying jobs.
There are 3 elements to the support package: