Government releases new COVID-19 guidance for factories
23 July 2021
New guidance has been published to help businesses reduce the risk of COVID-19 outbreaks in their workplace now that restrictions have been lifted.
New guidance has been published to help businesses reduce the risk of COVID-19 outbreaks in their workplace now that restrictions have been lifted.
With the UK now at ‘Step 4’ of its COVID-19 roadmap, rules around compulsory mask-wearing, social distancing and advice to work from home if possible have all now been removed.
The aim of the new guidance is to ensure that the lifting of these restrictions does not lead to greater outbreaks of the virus in workplaces.
Case numbers are currently rising rapidly across the country, with more than half a million people notified to self-isolate by Test and Trace in a single week during July. Many manufacturers, including major names such as Rolls-Royce and Nissan, are already reporting staffing shortages and order delays after having to send hundreds of employees home.
Speaking to Sky News, Make UK Chief Executive, Stephen Phipson, said:
“Over the last ten days or so we have seen a significant rise in people being required to self isolate after being pinged by the app. In many companies we are looking at a rate of 20 per cent, which is very significant.”
The sector guidance for factories focuses on:
- Maximising the supply of fresh air in your premises
- Reducing the number of people workers come into contact with
- Reducing risks for customers, visitors and contractors coming on-site
- Cleaning more regularly, including making sure that any site or location which has been closed or partially operated is clean and ready to restart
- Ensuring your risk assessment includes an up-to-date plan in the case of a COVID-19 outbreak
- Turning away people with symptoms or those who should otherwise be self-isolating.