Guidance
Coronavirus (COVID-19): Information for individuals and businesses in Wales
Use this page to navigate the latest guidance on the virus for people in Wales
Individuals and families
Health
Read the latest information about COVID-19 from Public Health Wales.
See the latest advice from NHS Direct Wales and use the Coronavirus COVID-19 Symptom Checker.
Read the full guidance on staying at home and away from others for everyone in the UK.
Read stay-at-home guidance for households with possible coronavirus (COVID-19) infection.
Also read guidance on shielding and protecting people defined as extremely vulnerable from COVID-19.
Guidance for employees
Read all the latest guidance and frequently asked questions for employees including details about statutory sick pay, accessing the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme to cover 80% of your wage and Universal Credit.
Sickness and disability benefits
Face-to-face assessments for all sickness and disability benefits will be temporarily suspended for the next 3 months from Tuesday 17 March.
No further action is required by any claimant as a result of this change. They will be contacted with advice on next steps.
Travel
Find out all the latest travel advice and sign up for travel alerts via the Foreign and Commonwealth (FCO) website.
Education
Find the latest information on schools and educational settings via the Welsh Government website.
Housing
The UK Government has agreed with mortgage lenders that they will offer repayment holidays of 3 months to households in financial difficulty due to COVID-19. Customers who are concerned about their current financial situation should contact their lender at the earliest possible opportunity to discuss if this is a suitable option for them.
The Welsh Government has agreed that measures developed by the UK Government to suspend evictions from social or private rented accommodation will apply to Welsh tenants. The three month mortgage payment holiday will also be extended to Buy to Let mortgages to protect landlords.
Community support
- The Welsh Government has launched its Looking Out for Each Other campaign about how to help people who are staying at home because of coronavirus. Find out more via the gov.wales/safehelp online hub.
- Find out more about volunteering during the COVID-19 pandemic via the Welsh Government’s website.
- Read guidance for those arranging or planning to attend events and mass gatherings in the UK.
- Read advice about looking after your mental wellbeing.
- Read about support for victims of domestic abuse.
- Find out how to protect yourself from fraud and scams during the COVID-19 pandemic via Action Fraud.
Businesses
General guidance for employers
The UK Government has published extensive guidance for employers of all sizes and types, including details on how to prevent the spread of COVID-19 and what to do if someone is suspected or confirmed to have the virus.
UK Government support for businesses
The UK Government has set out a package of measures to protect public services, people and businesses through this period of disruption caused by COVID-19.
All businesses in Wales could benefit from the following schemes and announcements:
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Businesses will receive government grants worth up to 80% of wages to keep workers in jobs. The Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme will pay up to £2,500 per worker each month, helping those who are self-isolating or caring for loved ones.
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Support for businesses through deferring VAT and Income Tax payments.
Support for the self-employed:
- Millions of people across the UK could benefit from the new Self-Employed Income Support Scheme, with those eligible receiving a cash grant worth 80% of their average monthly trading profit.
- The Self- Assessment payment on account, that is ordinarily due to be paid to HMRC by 31 July 2020 may now be deferred until January 2021.
Support for small and medium sized businesses:
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Support for businesses through the Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme via the British Business Bank. The scheme will deliver loans of up to £5 million for eligible businesses and is interest free for 12 months.
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Support for businesses who are paying sick pay to employees.
Support for larger businesses:
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The new Coronavirus Large Business Interruption Loan Scheme (CLBILS) will provide a government guarantee of 80% to enable banks to make loans of up to £25m to firms with an annual turnover of between £45m and £500m.
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The Bank of England COVID-19 Corporate Financing Facility is designed to support liquidity among larger firms, helping them to bridge coronavirus disruption to their cash flows through the purchase of short-term debt in the form of commercial paper.
Welsh Government support for businesses
Because some aspects of business support are devolved, the Welsh Government has set out a range of support measures:
Support for all businesses in Wales:
- The £500m Economic Resilience Fund will support Welsh firms of all sizes, including social enterprises, with a focus on those which have not already benefited from coronavirus grants.
Support for small and medium sized businesses:
- The Development Bank for Wales Loan Scheme will provide loans between £5,000 - £250,000 as well as a 12-month capital and interest repayment holiday to support businesses experiencing cash flow difficulties as a result of the pandemic.
The following two grants are being administered via local authorities in Wales:
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A grant of £25,000 is available for retail, leisure and hospitality businesses occupying properties with a rateable value of between £12,001 and £51,000.
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A £10,000 grant to all businesses eligible for small business rates relief (SBRR) in Wales with a rateable value of £12,000 or less.
Other Welsh Government support for SMEs includes:
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Small businesses who employ up to nine people (including sole traders with staff) can apply for the small business grant, worth up to £10,000.
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Small and medium sized businesses who employ between 10 and 249 people can apply for a grant worth up to £100,000. Details will be made available shortly.
Business support and helplines
HMRC tax helpline
HMRC has set up a helpline for businesses and self-employed people who are concerned about paying their tax due to COVID-19.
Call 08000 241222 for help and advice.
Monday to Friday, 8am to 4pm
Business Wales support
Get help with your business online by contacting Business Wales
How you can help
Published 17 March 2020
Last updated 6 April 2020 + show all updates
Last updated 6 April 2020 + show all updates
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Updated information about support for businesses of various sizes in Wales.
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Updated community support information including details on volunteering, support for victims of domestic abuse and protecting yourself from fraud and scams.
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Updated information about Welsh Government's new Economic Resilience Fund
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Updated with latest links from the Business Support website
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Updated with information about the new Self-Employed Income Support Scheme.
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Updated the HMRC helpline number.
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Updated with information for businesses and details of schemes to support the UK Government tackle COVID-19.
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Updated with the latest guidance on staying at home and away from others.
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Updated information about healthcare guidance, housing guidance and support for businesses.
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Updated information about support for employees and details of the call to support the supply of ventilators and components.
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Added information about business support following the Chancellor's announcement
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Updated information about Welsh Government business support
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Included information about NHS Direct Wales and changes to Public Health Wales' website.
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Updated guidance
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Added translation