Potential Post-Coronavirus Lockdown Rules In The Workplace Revealed

It is being reported by various media and news agencies that post-coronavirus lockdown measures under consideration by the Government, which would allow workplaces to reopen, could potentially include reducing the amount of hot desks in offices and rolling out alternatives to social distancing, where it is not practicable or possible.

One of the draft plans which has been seen by various media groups’, including BBC News, suggests that employers might be required to consider:

• Staggering the working times of their employees.
• Continuing to have their workforce working from home, where possible.
• Minimising the number of employees using work equipment.
• Rolling out further hygiene processes.
• Using screens and personal protective equipment (PPE) where social distancing measures cannot be complied with.

On Sunday, it is anticipated that the Government will reveal their “roadmap” out of the lockdown restrictions. The Government will take into consideration the responses they have received from companies, business groups and trade unions in relation to the draft workplace guidelines.

The Government have been under increased pressure from many to ease the current restrictions but Boris Johnson commented, via a video posted on Twitter:

“The worst thing we could do now is ease up too soon and allow a second peak of coronavirus.”

Adding that the UK could only move onto the “second phase of this conflict” once the Government’s five tests have been achieved. This includes a continued and constant fall in the number of coronavirus deaths each day and a requirement that any easing of the current restrictions would not result in a second wave which could potentially overwhelm the NHS.

The current lockdown measures are set to be reviewed by the Government on Thursday.