Social distancing during the Covid-19 pandemic

From Step 4 of the government’s roadmap out of lockdown (see Chapter 1), social distancing guidance no longer applies and there are no limits on social contact between people from different households. However, the guidance makes clear, Covid-19 can still be spread through social contact. The Usdaw shop workers’ union said maintaining social distancing in busy public areas like shops should be backed up by the law.

TUC national health and safety officer Shelly Asquith said that workplace safety measures, including keeping a two metre distance, should not be rolled back “without union say so”. Despite the lifting of restrictions, she made clear that “there is still a legal requirement for employers to manage the risk of Covid transmission and consult with the union safety reps”. Measures identified in the risk assessment to reduce risk transmission should remain in place and employers should continue to follow the hierarchy controls model (see page 68), she added.