12 May 2020
On Sunday 10 May, Prime Minister Boris Johnson said that those who could not work from home should be "actively encouraged to go to work" in England. However, the devolved governments of Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland are not encouraging a return to work.
In a bid to start easing lockdown restrictions in England, more people are being encouraged to start returning to work this week, where you cannot work from home. Mr Johnson singled out people in construction and manufacturing as those who could not work from home, who should return to building sites and factories.
The Government has since published guidance to help employers, employees and the self-employed understand how to work safely during the coronavirus pandemic.
They have released eight guides, covering work settings in:
- construction and other outdoor work
- factories, plants and warehouses
- other people’s homes
- labs and research facilities
- offices and contact centres
- restaurants offering takeaway or delivery
- shops and branches
- vehicles
Putting plans in place to work safely
These government guides explain measures you can take to help you carry on working safely during coronavirus, for example by putting in place social distancing measures, staggering shifts, providing additional handwashing facilities and how to talk with workers to help them stay safe.
However, as many businesses operate more than one type of workplace, such as an office, factory and fleet of vehicles, you may need to use more than one of these guides as you think through what you need to do to keep people safe.
You can access the eight different guides via the links above or on the gov.uk overview page here: Working safely during coronavirus (COVID-19)
We will be continuing to provide our summaries of the Government announcements as they relate to you and your business. If you have any queries or concerns in relation to your way forward through this coming period, please speak to your usual UHY contact or contact us via our online form.
