Important change – your employees who are shielding can come back to work from 1 August
Employers should contact their employees now to discuss their return.
There are over 2 million shielding at the moment, but from Saturday 1 August, the guidance will be relaxed so clinically extremely vulnerable people will no longer be advised to shield. However, support will remain available from NHS volunteers and local councils. Services will be retained such as priority for supermarket delivery, access to help with shopping, medication, phone calls and transport to medical appointments.
From 1 August, those who need to work and cannot do so from home will be able to return to work as long as their workplace is COVID secure, adhering to the guidance available.
Guildford HR have a H&S partner that can give small employees guidance on how to support your team to come back to work safely.
The government has worked closely with clinicians, GPs, charities, the voluntary sector and patient groups to consult on these changes. They will continue to do so to provide support and advice to those they represent.
The government will be writing to all individuals on the Shielded Patient List with updated information on shielding advice and the ongoing support available to them.
The rates of the virus are now low enough to allow for advice to be carefully and safely eased. On average, less than 1 in 1,700 are estimated to have the virus. These number are down from 1 in 500 4 weeks ago.
For anyone concerned about returning to work once the guidance has eased, it is recommended that they speak with their employer to understand their specific policies in relation to COVID-19.
The NHS will maintain the Shielded Patient List to ensure they can continue to provide the best advice to those identified as clinically extremely vulnerable. Should the level of the disease in the community rise in the future, it may be necessary to advise that more restrictive measures should be taken, in order for those highest at risk to keep themselves safe.
If you want to know more call us on 01483 362732 for a free 15- minute consultation with our team.