Opening workplaces safely while reducing the risk of spreading Covid-19

In response to the Covid pandemic, the BEIS business department published a set of guidelines on keeping workplaces “Covid-Secure”. These covered 14 different types of workplace and the first group of eight guidelines were developed with input from the trade unions. In July 2021, in line with the government moving to Step 4 of its roadmap out of lockdown and lifting most Covid restrictions (see Chapter 1), BEIS and the DCMS digital, culture, media and sport department replaced these 14 guidelines with a set of just six new guides on how to open workplaces safely while reducing the risk of spreading Covid-19. They cover:

• Construction and other outdoor work;

• Events and attractions;

• Hotel and guest accommodation;

• Offices, factories and labs;

• Restaurants, pubs, bars, nightclubs and takeaway services; and

• Shops, branches and close contact services.

The TUC condemned the new guidelines as rushed through, inadequate and “a recipe for chaos and rising infections” (see Chapter 1). It says they were published without proper consultation with unions or employers and business leaders were also critical of the guidance.