‘Covid-secure’ workplace guidance updated

The Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) has updated its workplace guidance on Working safely during coronavirus (Covid-19) to include information about the new three-tier system of coronavirus restrictions in England which came into effect on 2 December. As the government’s Covid-19 Winter Plan sets out, the tiering restrictions will continue until the end of March.

Although the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) announced the authorisation of the Pfizer/BioNTech Covid-19 vaccine for supply in the UK from 2 December, it will take “some months” before all the most vulnerable people are protected. The government is advising people to continue to work from home, if they are able, until April 2021.

BEIS also updated its guidance in relation to areas including risk assessment, NHS Test and Trace, equalities, ventilation, personal protective equipment (PPE), advice on outbreaks, and canteens and restaurants. The updated guidance also includes advice to clinically extremely vulnerable people on attending work, depending on which tier their local area is in.

The latest version of the BEIS Working safely during coronavirus (Covid-19) workplace guides can be found at: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/working-safely-during-coronavirus-covid-19