Coronavirus (COVID 19)

Guidance for Temporary Workers
Reviewed: 14 October 2020

Restrictions vary depending on your location. See here for all the latest Government Advice - https://www.gov.uk/coronavirus

Please note: You are expected to comply with requests to wear masks in the workplace. Failure to do so may result in being removed from the assignment.

Test and Trace

The NHS Test and Trace system launched on 1st June 2020. It forms part of the Government’s coronavirus recovery strategy. The test and trace service:

  • Provides testing for anyone who has symptoms of coronavirus to find out if they have the virus.
  • Gets in touch with anyone who has had a positive test result to help them share information about any close recent contacts they have had.
  • Alerts those contacts, where necessary, and notifies them they need to self isolate to help stop the spread of the virus.

There is also an app available to download that helps you check into places you visit: https://www.covid19.nhs.uk/ 

How we can support Test and Trace

To help reduce the risk of spread of infection in the workplace you must continue to:

  • Wash your hands regularly and for the minimum recommended 20 seconds
  • Socially distance wherever possible - stick to the 2 metre rule at all times
  • Where social distancing is not possible face mask are now recommended 
  • Get tested as soon as possible if you experience any symptoms of Coronavirus

Self Isolation

You may be told to isolate because you:

  • Have coronavirus symptoms and are awaiting a test result.
  • Have tested positive for coronavirus.
  • Are a member of the same household as someone who has symptoms or has tested positive for coronavirus.
  • Have been in close recent contact** with someone who has tested positive and received a notification to self isolate from NHS Test and Trace.

If you are told to self isolate you must not attend site and must inform your consultant.

**Close recent contact means within 2 metres for 15 minutes or longer.

By following this and the current guidance (see below) you will be protecting your family, friends, colleagues and other people around you and this will help play a part in stopping the spread of the virus.

More information is available from the Government website here: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/nhs-test-and-trace-how-it-works 

Key-workers and returning to work

Your consultant will issue you with a document to confirm that you are a key-worker if required. They can also provide return to work documents following a period of self-isolation. 

General Advice

When attending work and travelling please keep to government and NHS guidelines, these include:-

  • Wear masks if required
  • Wash your hands with soap and water often – do this for at least 20 seconds
  • Always wash your hands when you get home or into work
  • Use hand sanitiser gel if soap and water are not available
  • Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or your sleeve (not your hands) when you cough or sneeze
  • Put used tissues in the bin immediately and wash your hands afterwards
  • Try to avoid close contact with people who are unwell
  • Do not touch your eyes, nose or mouth if your hands are not clean
  • Maintain social distancing - stay at least 2m apart

If Government advice/medical advice is to self-isolate

The Government have recently announced that SSP will be paid from day one.

You must tell your Consultant as soon as possible if you cannot attend work and the reasons why. We appreciate that many may be required to self-isolate if any of their household shows the following symptoms:

  • A new, continuous cough
  • A high temperature (37.8C)
  • Loss of taste and/or smell

Current Government advice is for yourself and your household to self-isolate for 10 days if you have any symptoms (however mild), regardless of whether you’ve been advised by NHS 111 or any of your household.

The NHS online certification tool is now live and can be accessed by using the following web link. 

 https://111.nhs.uk/isolation-note/

You will receive an email and be able to download a copy for onward distribution to the nominated person in which you would normally send any such documents.


Mental-health Support

We appreciate that these are unusual times and you may be feeling anxious or worried about the situation you are in. The following websites offer advice on how you can look after yourself and protect your mental health:


Please click the links below for more information:

https://www.mind.org.uk/information-support/coronavirus-and-your-wellbeing

https://mentalhealth.org.uk/coronavirus

https://www.headstogether.org.uk

 

Coping with Stress

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