A WEBINAR is being held by Somerset County Council to help local businesses stay safe and recover as the county eases further out of lockdown.

The county council and its partners are hosting a free webinar on Wednesday (July 22) at 7pm where they will show what work they are doing to support businesses during the Covid-19 pandemic and offer advice to business owners.

The free webinar is open for  any Somerset business to join.

Somerset’s Director of Public Health, Trudi Grant, will advise businesses on how to stay safe and the steps to take if a business has a suspected or confirmed Coronavirus customer or staff member.

Business leads, including Cllr David Hall, cabinet member with responsibility for Somerset’s economy and Paul Hickson, Assistant Director of the council’s Economy team will also discuss the measures that the council and partners have put in place to support businesses recover, prosper and grow in these challenging times.

The discussions will include Somerset’s business recovery plan, the projects it contains as well as an update on travel schemes enacted by partners during the COVID-19 pandemic, delivered by Strategic Manager for Traffic Management, Bev Norman.

During the webinar, there will be an opportunity for members of the public to ask questions to the panel on any public health or business coronavirus related matters.

Cllr Hall said: “Businesses from all parts of our County have experienced difficulties beyond their control during the pandemic – experiences they’ve never had to face before.

“As the lockdown now further eases and we begin to take steps towards recovery, it is vital that we are there to support businesses with help and advice on how to stay safe, recover and regrow their ventures.”

The webinar will take place on July 22 from 7pm to 8pm and can be accessed at: https://tinyurl.com/weblomp.

Businesses can ask questions on the night or send in questions in advance by emailing communications@somerset.gov.uk.

To further support businesses, the council and partners have produced leaflets and posters to inform companies, their employees and customers what to do when a suspected or confirmed case of COVID-19 is reported.

There is also a specific leaflet for accommodation providers on what to do if a Somerset visitor is suspected or tests positive.

These are all available to download at:www.somerset.gov.uk/coronavirus/coronavirus-back-to-work-government-guidelines/

To view Somerset’s Local Outbreak Management Plan visit https://tinyurl.com/locallomp – and if you need Coronavirus help, advice and support, contact the Coronavirus helpline on 0300 790 6275.