‘Huge gaps’ in draft post-lockdown workplace rules
1. ‘Huge gaps’ in draft post-lockdown workplace rules
Aadesh Rajput
May 4 · 4 min read
Draft guidance for getting people back to work during the coronavirus pandemic could
compromise worker safety, the head of the TUC has warned.
Its general secretary, Frances O’Grady, said the TUC cannot recommend the advice in its
“current form”.
She said there were “huge gaps” over protective kit and testing.
Corona Virus Survival Guide [Click Here]
Reduced hot-desking and alternatives to social distancing where it is not possible are
among measures being considered by the government.
The plan, seen by the BBC, is in one of seven draft plans to ease anti-virus restrictions
and also urges employers to minimise numbers using equipment, stagger shift times and
maximise home-working.
The guidance covers the whole of the UK — but devolved governments have the power
to make their own decisions on how businesses get back to work.
Buzzfeed has seen all seven draft documents. In guidance for hotels and restaurants, the
news outlet says proposed measures include bar areas, seated restaurants and cafes
being kept closed, with all food and drink outlets to serve takeaways only.
Ms O’Grady, who said the union had seen some documents on Sunday, added workers’
safety must not be compromised and called for “robust direction and enforcement” so
Anyone can publish on Medium per our Policies, but we don’t fact-check every story. For
more info about the coronavirus, see cdc.gov.
2. employers can “do the right thing” and action can be taken against those who do not.
She told BBC Radio 4’s The World at One: “The problem is the government is asking us
to trust to employer discretion, use words like ‘consider social distancing’, ‘consider
having hand sanitiser or soap available’, and frankly that’s just now good enough.”
Asked whether the government’s current advice will compromise worker safety, Ms
O’Grady said No 10 has time to “get this right” and it should work with unions to ensure
“a proper job” and “not a botched job”.
LIVE: Latest updates from around the world
What is a safe distance in social distancing?
Wristbands, colour-coding — inventive ways out of lockdown
The BBC has seen one of seven draft documents, which says additional hygiene
procedures, physical screens and the use of protective equipment should be considered
where maintaining distancing of 2m (6ft) between workers is impossible.
However, the section marked PPE contains only a promise that “more detail” will follow.
A SIMPLE GUIDE: How do I protect myself?
AVOIDING CONTACT: The rules on self-isolation and exercise
WILL I GET PAID IF I CAN’T WORK? Rules on sick pay, wages and time o
PUBLIC TRANSPORT: Is it safe to travel?
TESTING: Can I get tested for coronavirus?
Corona Virus Survival Guide [Click Here]
Boris Johnson is to reveal a “roadmap” out of lockdown on Sunday, but in a video
message on Monday he said the the UK must not lift restrictions too soon.
In the video, posted on Twitter, Mr Johnson said: “The worst thing we could do now is
ease up too soon and allow a second peak of coronavirus.”
Mr Johnson said the UK would only be able to move on to “the second phase of this
con ict” when the government’s ve tests had been met, including a sustained and
consistent fall in daily deaths and being con dent any adjustments would not risk a
second peak which could overwhelm the health service.
Many companies have been shut since widespread limits on everyday life were imposed
on 23 March, in a bid to limit the e ects of the virus’s spread on the NHS.
Ministers are obliged to review those restrictions by Thursday.
How might workplaces reopen with social distancing?
Finnebrogue Artisan, which makes sausages and bacon in Downpatrick, Northern
Ireland, has kept operating throughout the pandemic.
Director Declan Ferguson told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme it was “totally doable”
for other companies to reopen.
3. He said they had introduced physical markers to keep sta 2m apart, take workers’
temperatures when they arrive, and issue them with masks and visors on the factory
oor.
Doors are kept open wherever possible to reduce the number of things sta need to
touch, and social distancing marshals ensure the rules are being followed.
The number of coronavirus-related deaths in the UK stands at 28,446 — an increase of
315 on Saturday’s gure — with 14,248 people currently being treated in hospital.
However, admissions have fallen, along with the number of critical care beds being
used.
Meanwhile, London’s NHS Nightingale hospital is expected not to admit any new
patients and be placed on standby in the coming days.
The ExCel Centre was turned into a 4,000-bed facility to increase the NHS’s capacity for
treating patients with Covid-19.
In a brie ng to sta , the hospital’s chief executive said it was “likely” the hospital would
not need to admit patients in the coming days while the virus remained under control in
London.
The BBC understands fewer than 20 people are currently being treated there.
In other developments:
A partial list of the membership of the scienti c advisory group for emergencies
(Sage), which is helping shape the government’s response to the pandemic, has
been published by the government, following calls for transparency
Labour is urging the government to plan to stockpile masks, in case o cial advice
on wearing them changes
Businesses including sole traders and limited companies are able to apply for
“bounce-back” loans of £2,000 to £50,000, 100% guaranteed by the government
Boris Johnson will urge countries to “pull together” and share expertise as he co-
hosts an international conference to drive the race for coronavirus treatments, tests
and vaccines
University students in England must pay full tuition fees even if courses are taught
online in the autumn, the government says
France, Italy and Spain register their lowest daily death tolls for weeks as they
prepare to ease restrictions
Corona Virus Survival Guide [Click Here]
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![‘Huge gaps’ in draft post-lockdown workplace rules
Aadesh Rajput
May 4 · 4 min read
Draft guidance for getting people back to work during the coronavirus pandemic could
compromise worker safety, the head of the TUC has warned.
Its general secretary, Frances O’Grady, said the TUC cannot recommend the advice in its
“current form”.
She said there were “huge gaps” over protective kit and testing.
Corona Virus Survival Guide [Click Here]
Reduced hot-desking and alternatives to social distancing where it is not possible are
among measures being considered by the government.
The plan, seen by the BBC, is in one of seven draft plans to ease anti-virus restrictions
and also urges employers to minimise numbers using equipment, stagger shift times and
maximise home-working.
The guidance covers the whole of the UK — but devolved governments have the power
to make their own decisions on how businesses get back to work.
Buzzfeed has seen all seven draft documents. In guidance for hotels and restaurants, the
news outlet says proposed measures include bar areas, seated restaurants and cafes
being kept closed, with all food and drink outlets to serve takeaways only.
Ms O’Grady, who said the union had seen some documents on Sunday, added workers’
safety must not be compromised and called for “robust direction and enforcement” so
Anyone can publish on Medium per our Policies, but we don’t fact-check every story. For
more info about the coronavirus, see cdc.gov.](https://image.slidesharecdn.com/mediumcom-200504144025/85/Huge-gaps-in-draft-post-lockdown-workplace-rules-1-320.jpg)
![employers can “do the right thing” and action can be taken against those who do not.
She told BBC Radio 4’s The World at One: “The problem is the government is asking us
to trust to employer discretion, use words like ‘consider social distancing’, ‘consider
having hand sanitiser or soap available’, and frankly that’s just now good enough.”
Asked whether the government’s current advice will compromise worker safety, Ms
O’Grady said No 10 has time to “get this right” and it should work with unions to ensure
“a proper job” and “not a botched job”.
LIVE: Latest updates from around the world
What is a safe distance in social distancing?
Wristbands, colour-coding — inventive ways out of lockdown
The BBC has seen one of seven draft documents, which says additional hygiene
procedures, physical screens and the use of protective equipment should be considered
where maintaining distancing of 2m (6ft) between workers is impossible.
However, the section marked PPE contains only a promise that “more detail” will follow.
A SIMPLE GUIDE: How do I protect myself?
AVOIDING CONTACT: The rules on self-isolation and exercise
WILL I GET PAID IF I CAN’T WORK? Rules on sick pay, wages and time o
PUBLIC TRANSPORT: Is it safe to travel?
TESTING: Can I get tested for coronavirus?
Corona Virus Survival Guide [Click Here]
Boris Johnson is to reveal a “roadmap” out of lockdown on Sunday, but in a video
message on Monday he said the the UK must not lift restrictions too soon.
In the video, posted on Twitter, Mr Johnson said: “The worst thing we could do now is
ease up too soon and allow a second peak of coronavirus.”
Mr Johnson said the UK would only be able to move on to “the second phase of this
con ict” when the government’s ve tests had been met, including a sustained and
consistent fall in daily deaths and being con dent any adjustments would not risk a
second peak which could overwhelm the health service.
Many companies have been shut since widespread limits on everyday life were imposed
on 23 March, in a bid to limit the e ects of the virus’s spread on the NHS.
Ministers are obliged to review those restrictions by Thursday.
How might workplaces reopen with social distancing?
Finnebrogue Artisan, which makes sausages and bacon in Downpatrick, Northern
Ireland, has kept operating throughout the pandemic.
Director Declan Ferguson told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme it was “totally doable”
for other companies to reopen.](data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7)