Coronavirus and Furlough Scheme

The term ‘getting ‘pinged’’ has come from getting notified by the NHS COVID App on your phone that you are advised to self isolate. The media has given the term ‘pingdemic’ to the rise in people being ‘pinged’ by the NHS COVID App since restrictions eased in England on 19th July 2021.

Things you can do to help stop germs like the Coronavirus from spreading:

• First of all, the NHS advise that you cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or your sleeve – not your hands – when you cough or sneeze, and then put any used tissues in the bin straight away and wash your hands afterwards
• Frequently wash your hands with soap and water – using hand sanitiser gel if soap and water are not available
• Wash your hands as soon as you get home
• And avoid close contact with people who are unwell
• They also tell you to not touch your eyes, nose or mouth if your hands are not clean.

There are also other things you can do to help prevent infections from spreading:

• Keep your fingernails short
• Don’t wear wristwatches, bracelets, or rings (apart from plain bands) as they can harbour germs and also make handwashing less effective
• At work, you can wear personal protective equipment, such as disposable gloves, masks, aprons and oversleeves, when you handle anything that may be contaminated with pathogens
• Keep clothes and protective equipment clean by washing them regularly. Putting clothing on a hot wash, hot ironing them or tumble-drying them should kill any bacteria present
• Keep your work and home environment clean, especially frequently touched objects and surfaces such as phones, keyboards, door handles, light switches and tabletops
• Get rid of waste regularly, for example by picking up rubbish and emptying bins. Use foot-operated bins rather than lifting lids with your hands
• Take particular care to throw away used tissues, sanitary waste, and medical waste correctly and immediately—and remember to wash your hands afterwards!
• Bacteria can build up on cloths and re-used towels, so always use single-use disposable towels or hand-dryers if they’re available, to avoid spreading bacteria
• Wear face coverings. While no longer legally required, the “Government expects and recommends that people wear face coverings in crowded areas such as public transport.” – gov.uk

Keeping your hands clean is one of the important control methods for reducing the spread of infections but it is most effective if you follow the steps below. To wash your hands:

• Use clean, hot, running water and soap – preferably antibacterial liquid soap from a dispenser – as soap bars can harbour germs.
• Wet your hands thoroughly.
• Rub the soap into your palms to form a lather.
• Clean your hands for 20 to 30 seconds. Go between your right and left hand for each of these areas – the backs, between your fingers, your thumbs and your wrists. Remember to check and clean your fingernails too.
• Then rinse the soap off with clean, hot, running water.
• Turn the tap off with a disposable hand towel to avoid re-contaminating your hands.
• Dry your hands thoroughly using a second disposable hand towel or a hand dryer. Make sure you dry your hands properly – it’s easier for harmful bacteria to spread if your hands are wet or damp.

The government is no longer instructing people to work from home if they can, so employers can start to plan a return to workplaces. They are recommending a gradual return to the workplace with each employer needed to take the appropriate precautions. However, a lot of employers are continuing to work from home for the foreseeable future. As people start to return from work, employers should also consider; protecting people who are at higher risk and should consider their individual needs; those who need to self-isolate and helping them to work from home to stop the spread of COVID; and the need for equality in the workplace by ensuring no one is being discriminated against and being mindful of the particular needs of different groups of workers or individuals. If staff are still wanting to work from home in the wake of the Coronavirus or you would like to provide the option for them to work from home, then see if you are able to make flexible work arrangements with your employees. There is a section on the Gov.uk website about returning to work safely, as well as a business and employer guidance section too, to help make your workplace COVID-Secure. If staff are still wanting to work from home in the wake of the Coronavirus or you would like to provide the option for them to work from home, then see if you are able to make flexible work arrangements with your employees. There is a section on the Gov.uk website about returning to work safely, as well as a business and employer guidance section too, to help make your workplace COVID-Secure.

The WHO have documented some considerations to support mental and psychological well-being during the COVID-19 outbreak, which can be accessed here. The NHS has also partnered with Every Mind Matters to provide tips and advice on helping people to stay on top of mental wellbeing here. With continuous news stories on the Coronavirus, anxiety levels can rise but it is important for organisations and individuals to protect mental health with sensible and informed advice.

The Reproduction rate – known as ‘R’ – tells us how many people will get infected for every one person who gets ill. It is a way of looking at the ability of the virus to spread. You can find out up-to-date information about the current R rate here.

The government has provided guidance for businesses to work safely during COVID 19. This guidance is vital to continue reducing the transmission of COVID-19 and it is likely to remain the case for some time. Our Returning to Work Essentials Training will also help employers provide a smooth transition back into work for employees, within this bundle we also offer a Returning to Work during/after COVID-19 Training Course, which is essential for all organisations as the Coronavirus restrictions ease. We also offer a Risk Assessment tool, which will help employers ensure they have carried out the necessary risk assessments. It is crucial to review your Coronavirus Risk Assessment upon your return to work to ensure any additional policies, particularly surrounding social distancing and workplace hygiene, are up-to-date.

A lateral flow test provides rapid results to determine if someone may be carrying Coronavirus, in 30 minutes. It is thought that 1 in 3 people who have COVID-19 do not have symptoms, so these tests detect cases of Coronavirus that would not necessarily be picked up, to ensure those carrying the virus can self-isolate to prevent spreading it.