Updates to guidance on Working Safely during Coronavirus

The Government continues to regularly update its guidance on Working Safely during coronavirus. Recent updates:   

• Add new guidance for businesses now permitted to open 
• Reflect the relaxation of the 2 metre social distancing rule. The guidance now says “2m apart, or 1m with risk mitigation where 2m is not viable”
• Encourage employers to take steps to avoid the need for individuals to unduly raise their voices to each other in the workplace.  This is intended to reduce the risk of aerosol transmission.  It suggests turning down background music in restaurants, pubs, bars, and shops 
• Give guidance on keeping records of staff and customers. Where customers attend workplaces, such as in restaurants, hotels and hair salons, employers are requested to keep temporary records of their customers and visitors for 21 days to help NHS Test and Trace with requests for that data if needed. Employers are also requested to keep temporary records of staff shift patterns for 21 days for the same purpose  
• Advise employers what to do if there is a COVID-19 outbreak in the workplace.  Employers should have an up to date COVID-19 outbreak plan.  They should have a nominated single point of contact for communication with the local PHE health protection team where possible. The local team should be contacted where there is more than one case of COVID-19 associated with a workplace. If an outbreak is declared, the employer will be asked to record details of symptomatic staff and help with identifying contacts. Employers are therefore advised to ensure staff contact details are up to date 

You can access the guidance here 

The Health and Safety Executive has also issued guidance which can be accessed here