Employers urged to remain vigilant on roadmap out of lockdown

"Please continue with your existing COVID-Secure measures to continue to protect your workforce"

Employers in Warwickshire have been urged to remain vigilant and observe all the required protocols after the UK took Step 4 on the roadmap out of lockdown.

Following Step 4, on July 19th, the government is no longer instructing people to work from home if they can, so employers have been able to reopen workplaces and welcome back employees.

It is a hugely welcome development for the country, but one which must be taken with care and diligence, public health officials have urged.

New guidance includes an obligation on employers to carry out a risk assessment which includes measures to address the risk of COVID-19. All businesses are also encouraged to keep measures in place such as; social distancing, the wearing of face coverings, provision of hand sanitisers, maximising ventilation and enhanced cleaning, to limit the spread of COVID for as long as is practical.

Promoting vaccine uptake in your workforce and continuing to encourage twice weekly rapid (lateral flow) tests will also help reduce the risk for those coming into work, and improve the resilience of your business.

Warwickshire County Council Director of Public Health, Shade Agboola said: “As the country opens up many people will be relieved to be able to get back to the activities they enjoy, however many will be feeling anxious, particularly about returning to work if they have been working from home for some time.

“We urge business to move slowly and cautiously whilst local COVID-19 infection rates are high, and of course to encourage your workforce to get vaccinated. Please continue with your existing COVID-Secure measures to continue to protect your workforce; measures to improve hygiene and ventilation will help to reduce sickness absence in the longer term from other illnesses such as the flu.

“Please also be mindful of the wellbeing of your workforce, looking for signs of those who may be struggling and signposting to support, either in-house or from services provided across Warwickshire. Our Wellbeing for Life website provides information on how to support positive wellbeing and links to information on local services and national campaigns; www.wellbeing4life.co.uk”

For full guidance, please visit: www.gov.uk/guidance/working-safely-during-covid-19/offices-factories-and-labs

For dates and locations of drop-in vaccination clinics please visit www.happyhealthylives.uk/coronavirus/covid-19-vaccination/vaccination-drop-in-clinics (the page will be updated regularly as new drop-ins are arranged)

Locations of static vaccination sites are available here: www.happyhealthylives.uk/coronavirus/covid-19-vaccination/vaccination-sites

Information on testing for COVID-19 in Warwickshire can be found at: www.warwickshire.gov.uk/covidtesting

Access the latest picture on local infection rates and communication resources here: https://staysafecsw.info

If you have COVID-19 related queries, or to report an outbreak (2 or more cases in the workplace during a 14day period) please continue to report to the Warwickshire Public Health team for support dphadmin@warwickshire.gov.uk