On 11 May 2020, the government published "COVID-19 Secure" guidelines on working safely during the COVID-19 pandemic. In addition to specific guidance documents for a number of workplace settings (including offices, restaurants, and other people’s homes), the guidelines cover five key actions for all employers:
- Carry out a COVID-19 risk assessment in consultation with workers or trade unions. The results of the risk assessment should be shared with the workforce and on the employer’s website.
- Develop cleaning, handwashing and hygiene procedures. Increase the frequency of handwashing and surface cleaning and provide materials to facilitate this (e.g. hand sanitiser and hand drying facilities).
- Take all reasonable steps to help people work from home, e.g. by discussing home working arrangements and ensuring they have the right equipment.
- Maintain two metres social distancing wherever possible, e.g. by re-designing workspaces, creating one-way walk-throughs, and putting up signs to remind employees.
Where people cannot be two metres apart, manage transmission risk, e.g. by considering whether an activity needs to continue for the business to operate, keeping the activity time involved as short as possible, and reducing the number of people each person has contact with.
