Yesterday March 29th, Phase 2 of Step I of the road map has been implemented, along with this there is a plethora of Government updates issued yesterday and in the coming days also.
Our team will continue to review these and only advise those business related updates that our team concludes you need to be aware of, this will save you time and importantly remember we are here to assist and support with the implementation of any changes required to ensure your business either returns to work safely or continues to work following the changing guidance from Government, any case law and best practice.
Here are some immediate updates you need to be aware of.
Reopening businesses and venues in England
Summary:
All Businesses should read this guidance. This guidance details the steps to reopen certain businesses and venues in England.
Change made:
Updated in line with Step 1b guidance changes. March 29th 2021
NHS Test and Trace in the workplace
Summary:
What to do if you or someone you employ is contacted by NHS Test and Trace, including self-isolation, sick pay and financial support.
Change made:
Updated to reflect the change in rules for when a group enters a venue. From 29 March 2021, every customer or visitor should be asked to scan the NHS QR code or provide their name and contact details, not just a lead member.
29th March 2021
Note: visitors to your venue ALL need to register via the QR Code, not just a lead or nominated leader…
Testing update: Please read as this is a significant change to your benefit should you wish to make regular testing as part of your return to work safely process:
Further to our client alert on Friday ref Testing in the work place , there are further changes that benefit small businesses. Businesses with 10 or more staff can now register to receive free testing kits for staff.
- Government makes rapid home testing available for all businesses with over 10 employees who cannot offer on-site testing
- Businesses must register interest by 12 April to access free tests
- Over 60,000 businesses already registered for regular and rapid tests for employees
Businesses across the country will be eligible to order the home test kits online to distribute to their employees. These self-test kits will be picked up by staff from their employer with clear instructions about how to take the test. Staff will then complete the home test in the normal way, before reporting their results to the NHS using the provided gov.uk address.
Workplace testing programme expands to offer free rapid home testing
Summary:
In the next major push for the Government’s workplace testing programme, all employers will now be able to offer their employees free, rapid and regular testing that can be taken at home.
Change made:
First published.
28th March 2021
Coronavirus (COVID-19): Employer Testing Duty
Summary:
If you are an employer that requires staff to travel regularly across UK borders you must take reasonable steps to facilitate your employees to take tests.
Change made:
First published.
Time updated:
28th March 2021
To help protect the country from coronavirus (COVID-19), there are testing regimes in place for those who travel regularly across UK borders. If you are an employer that fulfils the following definition, then you must take reasonable steps to facilitate the taking of tests by your employees:
- you employ more than 50 employees, of which some or all are required to take workforce tests, including agency workers you are responsible for
- your employees are required to complete testing after international travel
As an employer your ‘reasonable steps’ to facilitate the taking of tests might be:
- establishing workplace coronavirus (COVID-19) testing or providing your employee with home testing
- supporting access and signposting employees to testing outside of the workplace
There will no doubt be further updates that Park City will review and alert you to. We are here to assist in the implementation of any updated policies and working practices.
We look forward to working with you all as we move through each step and phase of the easing of lockdown plan and please remember in this demanding challenging times, as business owners, leaders and managers you are never alone and we are stronger together.
