UNITED KINGDOM

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The following information has been collected and collated by convergence consulting in collaboration with our in-country Global Alliance Partner.  Please let us know if you have additional questions by emailing us at COVID-19@cc-global.com. 

 1.       Does your country’s health authority have guidelines or requirements for when COVID-19 cases are classified work-related and reported as a workplace illness? 

 Only make a report under The Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 2013 (RIDDOR): 

  • When an unintended incident at work has led to someone’s possible or actual exposure to COVID-19.  This must be reported as a dangerous occurrence.

  • When a worker has been diagnosed as having COVID-19 and there is reasonable evidence that it was caused by exposure at work.  This must be reported as a case of disease.

  • If a worker dies as a result of occupational exposure to coronavirus.

 Health & Safety executive link for reporting of incidents: https://www.hse.gov.uk/news/riddor-reporting-coronavirus.htm

 Link to legislation (England, Scotland, Wales): http://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2013/1471/regulation/9/made

 Link to legislation (Northern Ireland): http://www.legislation.gov.uk/nisr/1997?title=reporting%20of%20

 2.       Is there information on the timing of “return to work” and the process for a worker to return, i.e. examination by a physician, or a negative COVID test? 

There is no guidance as yet on returning to work.

Current guidance states “Testing for coronavirus (COVID-19) is not needed if you’re staying at home”:

  • If you live with others and you are the first in the household to have symptoms of COVID-19, then you must stay at home for 7 days.

  • All other household members who remain well must stay at home and not leave the house for 14 days.

  • Should a household member develop symptoms late in the 14-day household-isolation period (for example, on day 13 or day 14) the isolation period does not need to be extended, but the person with the new symptoms has to stay at home for an additional 7 days.

  • By law, medical evidence is not required for the first 7 days of sickness.  After 7 days, employers may use their discretion around the need for medical evidence if an employee is staying at home.

    Link to Public Health Guidance:

    https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-stay-at-home-guidance/stay-at-home-guidance-for-households-with-possible-coronavirus-covid-19-infection

 3.       Does your country’s health authority have COVID-19 mitigation guidelines for the public and/or for business?  If so, please list them below and how long they will be in place. 

Government guidance: COVID-19 guidance Working safely during COVID-19 in shops and branches updated 14th June 2020.

Updated to reflect industry feedback, updated guidance on managing product handling and returns, guidance on test and trace service, guidance on safer travel and to provide guidance on managing security risks. Information on these updates can be found at: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/5eb9703de90e07082fa57ce0/working-safely-during-covid-19-shops-branches-v2-140620.pdf

 Government guidance “staying alert and safe (social distancing)” updated 12th June 2020.

Individuals may now form a ‘support bubble’ with one other household if you live alone or are a single parent with dependent children - in other words, you are in a household where there is only one adult..

Individuals are now able to visit more shops and additional outdoor attractions - drive-in cinemas and animal attractions like zoos, farms and safari parks.

Individuals must wear a face covering on public transport in England. Form ore information visit: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/staying-alert-and-safe-social-distancing/staying-alert-and-safe-social-distancing

Health and Safety Executive issues guidance on working safely dueringthe Covid-19 outbreak.

 Currently in place with no scheduled end date:

From 8 June, there will be new rules in place for entering the UK because of coronavirus (COVID-19). The rules are for residents and visitors. When these rules are in place, you will:

  • need to provide your journey and contact details when you travel to the UK

  • not be allowed to leave the place you’re staying for the first 14 days you’re in the UK except in very limited situations (known as ‘self-isolating”

  • Exemptions apply to travelers from Ireland, Channel Islands and Isle of Man.

  • You may be fined £100 if you refuse to provide your contact details, £1,000 if you refuse to self-isolate.

  • From Monday 1st June people will be able to exercise with up to five others from different households, crucially so long as they remain 2 metres apart.

    From Monday 1st June schools are set to open to more children.  With cintrols measures including:

  • reducing the size of classes and keeping children in small groups without mixing with others

  • staggered break and lunch times, as well as drop offs and pickups

  • increasing the frequency of cleaning, reducing the used of shared items and utilising outdoor space

  • All children and staff, and their families, will also have access to testing if they display symptoms

 HSE publish letter reminding business who receive deliveries that delivery drivers must have access to suitable toilet and handwashing facilities.

Government updated guidance on coronavirus testing, including who is eligible for a test and how to get tested: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/coronavirus-covid-19-getting-tested

HSE has guidance for employers who are providing hand sanitiser in their workplaces: https://www.hse.gov.uk/news/choosing-hand-sanitiser-surface-disinfectant-coronavirus.htm

Government launches NHS Test and Trace service

New guidance means those who have been in close contact with someone who tests positive must isolate for 14 days, even if they have no symptoms: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/government-launches-nhs-test-and-trace-service?

Government sets out timetable for non-essential retail facilities to reopen from 15 June if governments’ 5 tests are met.  Measures that shops should consider include:

  • placing a poster in their windows to demonstrate awareness of the guidance and commitment to safety measures

  • storing returned items for 72 hours before putting them back out on the shop floor

  • placing protective coverings on large items touched by the public such as beds or sofas

  • frequent cleaning of objects and surfaces that are touched regularly, including self-checkouts, trolleys, coffee machines and betting terminals, for example

 HSE guidance on the use of air-conditioning systems:

  • The risk of air conditioning spreading coronavirus is extremely low.

  • If you use a centralised ventilation system that removes and circulates air to different rooms, it is recommended that you turn off recirculation and use a fresh air supply.

  • You do not need to adjust other types of air conditioning systems.

  • If you’re unsure, speak to your heating ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) engineers or advisers.

  • Good ventilation is encouraged to help reduce the risk of spreading coronavirus.

4.       Which governmental authority issued these guidelines, and are they voluntary or mandatory?

Issued by UK Government (Parliament), and mandatory. 

5.       Do these mitigation measures have any consequence, such as, if a person does not abide by these measures must they pay a fine or go to jail?

There is a fixed penalty notice for £60 (reduced to £30 if paid within 14 days) for violation of measures (such as not maintain social distancing).  If someone has already received a fixed penalty notice, the amount will increase to £120 and double on each further repeat offence.

Legislation:

6.       Has your country adopted any laws or regulations related to COVID-19? 

  • Primary Legislation: Coronavirus Act 2020: http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2020/7/contents/enacted/data.htm

  • Secondary Legislation: Scotland: The Health Protection (Coronavirus) (Restrictions) (Scotland) Regulations 2020, see link above.

  • Wales: The Health Protection (Coronavirus) (Restrictions) (Wales) Regulations, see link above.

  • England: The Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions (England) Regulations 2020, see link above.

  • Northern Ireland: The Health Protection (Coronavirus (Restrictions) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2020, see link above.

For the United Kingdom, the website www.gov.uk/coronavirus is the best source of information.  This link offers the ability to sign up for daily email bulletins.

The data presented here is not a complete analysis of all COVID-19 information; however, our in-country Partner will provide updates as and when considered appropriate and as relevant data becomes available.  If you have any additional questions, or request for country information, please email us at COVID-19@cc-global.com with additional inquiries.

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convergence is an environmental, health, safety and social management consultancy that specializes in multi-country (international) projects and programs.  We are able to meet our clients’ needs on a global scale while recognizing the important regional differences that our clients face in conducting business. Our country health and safety legal compliance tools for offices, retail and service sectors, known as CORE, are the foremost resource of its kind.