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<p>Dog grooming businesses are not on the list of businesses required to close. The
latest coronavirus regulations permit dog groomers to continue working, subject to
distancing, hygiene and other safety requirements being met. This may include dog
groomers collecting pets from their owners' homes and then returning them once they
have been groomed. The Canine and Feline Sector Group has already issued advice for
pet businesses, including dog groomers, on how to operate safely within the new restrictions.
This includes a protocol for the handover of pets and may be found online: <a href="https://eur03.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cfsg.org.uk%2Frepository%2F360%2F&data=04%7C01%7Cemma.pryor%40defra.gov.uk%7C1a9b3ef1a46c42052e4c08d8c38f255f%7C770a245002274c6290c74e38537f1102%7C1%7C0%7C637474366864278230%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C1000&sdata=kGKVMyuX9nf%2BYvPYK8Q5e1zOKdPO%2Fmrw8eMvkp3wisY%3D&reserved=0"
target="_blank">https://www.cfsg.org.uk/repository/360/</a></p><p>The Government has
issued advice for pet owners and livestock keepers on looking after the welfare of
animals during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic: <a href="https://eur03.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.gov.uk%2Fguidance%2Fcoronavirus-covid-19-advice-for-people-with-animals&data=04%7C01%7Cemma.pryor%40defra.gov.uk%7C1a9b3ef1a46c42052e4c08d8c38f255f%7C770a245002274c6290c74e38537f1102%7C1%7C0%7C637474366864288223%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C1000&sdata=F7Mx2Z0Ry2HajhcS6AD2VdLdXOpqS5Gx4lkM%2BA4xePA%3D&reserved=0"
target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/guidance/coronavirus-covid-19-advice-for-people-with-animals</a>
This advice makes clear that you may leave your home to take your pet to be groomed.
You should do this only if necessary for your animal's welfare and not simply for
aesthetic purposes. You should contact the groomer in advance to make an appointment.
Ask the groomer if they operate a mobile collection and drop-off service.</p><p>The
Government has put in place a range of business support measures since March 2020.
These include loans, small business grants through local authorities, mortgage holidays
and VAT deferral. These measures have been updated in line with local and national
restrictions. In November, at the beginning of the second national lockdown, Government
made available £1.1 billion in discretionary funding allocated to each local authority
to support businesses via the Additional Restrictions Grant (ARG). This was topped
up with a further £500 million in January 2021.</p><p>Local authorities have significant
discretion in the businesses they support and the amount of grant funding per business
based on local priorities.</p><p>Given the new national restrictions, other amendments
now include:</p><ul><li>Extending the coronavirus job retention scheme to support
the wage costs of employers until end of April 2021.</li><li>Increasing the overall
level of the Self-Employed Income Support Scheme grant to 80% of trading profits covering
November to January for all parts of the UK.</li><li>Extending the Bounce Back Loan
Scheme application deadline to the end of March 2021, to further support eligible
firms who need it during this ongoing period of difficulty.</li></ul><p>We encourage
businesses that have been unable to access support, or who are unsure about what support
is available, to contact their Government-backed Local Growth Hub for free tailored
guidance and support.</p><p>Furthermore, the Business Support Helpline (FREEPHONE
0800 998 1098) provides free, impartial business support and advice to businesses.</p>
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