Working safely during Coronavirus (COVID-19)

Guidance to help ensure workplaces are as safe as possible.
The new guidance covers 8 workplace settings which are allowed to be open, from outdoor environments and construction sites to factories and takeaways. This sets out practical steps for businesses focused on 5 key points, which should be implemented as soon as it is practical:

1. Work from home, if you can
2. Carry out a COVID-19 risk assessment, in consultation with workers or trade unions
3. Maintain 2 meters social distancing, wherever possible
4. Where people cannot be 2 metres apart, manage transmission risk 
5. Reinforcing cleaning processes

• Construction and other outdoor work - Guidance for people who work in or run outdoor working environments
• Factories, plants and warehouses - Guidance for people who work in or run factories, plants and warehouses
• Homes - Guidance for people working in, visiting or delivering to home environments as well as their employers
• Labs and research facilities – Guidance for people who work in or run indoor labs and research facilities and similar environments
• Offices and contact centres – Guidance for people who work in or run offices, contact centres and similar indoor environments
• Restaurants offering takeaway or delivery – Guidance for people who work in or run restaurants offering takeaway or delivery services.
• Shops and branches – Guidance for people who work in or run shops, branches, stores or similar environments.
• Vehicles – Guidance for people who work in or from vehicles, including couriers, mobile workers, lorry drivers, on-site transit and work vehicles, field forces and similar.

Financial support and guidance for individuals including employees and the self-employed

There are a number of financial support schemes available including the Job Retention Scheme which has been extended until the end of October. The scheme will continue to apply across all regions and sectors in the UK economy.

The Government’s furlough scheme is also being extended until October and will continue to receive 80% of their current salary, up to £2,500.

From the start of August, furloughed workers will be able to return to work part-time with employers being asked to pay a percentage towards the salaries of their furloughed staff. The employer payments will substitute the contribution the government is currently making, ensuring that staff continue to receive 80% of their salary, up to £2,500 a month.

The scheme will continue in its current form until the end of July. Changes to allow more flexibility will come in from the start of August.

Cambridgeshire County Council has also provided local coronavirus guidance for individuals and Peterborough City Council has done the same. District councils across Cambridgeshire have also provided their own guidance.

Self-employed people will be able to access the Self-Employed Income Support Scheme, which pays 80% of monthly average profits over the past three years capped at £2,500 per month.

Certain restrictions apply, but HMRC will contact those who are eligible. More information is available here including Frequently Asked Questions.

The combined authority are offering a range of support to help businesses succeed through the Covid-19 pandemic:

You can access our 1-2-1 business support area which offers additional support and resources here.

We are also hosting a range of Covid-19 Business Resilience Webinars which can be found here.

Our Talent Portal allows employers to find the skilled workers necessary to strive through Covid-19 and jobseekers to find the right jobs for them.

The CPCA Retraining Scheme allows you to recharge your skills or the skills of your employees to boost your business.
 
Travelling – guidance for passengers and operators

New guidance has been released for safe travel and safer transport operations.

This guide will help businesses, agencies and others understand how to provide safer workplaces and services for themselves, their workers and passengers across all modes of private and public transport. It outlines measures to assess and address the risks of coronavirus in the transport sector across England.

This guidance provides advice on how passengers should make journeys safely. The advice sets out that if people who cannot work from home and have to travel for work, they should first consider alternatives to public transport. Those driving their own cars have been asked to avoid busy areas. For those who have to use public transport, the guidance recommends:

• Keeping 2 metres apart wherever possible;
• Wearing a face covering if you can;
• Using contactless payment where possible;
• Avoiding rush hour travel where feasible;
• Washing or sanitising your hands as soon as possible before and after travel;
• Following advice from staff and being considerate to others.

All the latest guidance for people using transport or working in the transport sector during the coronavirus outbreak can be found here.

If you are a business who can help the national fight against COVID-19 by providing for example medical products, PPE for frontline staff, transport and logitics, temporary accomodation or expert support and advice, visit here to fill in a simple form.

If you are an individual who wants to help their community, for Cambridgeshire visit the County Council page. For Peterborough visit the City Council page.

District councils across Cambridgeshire also have co-ordinated ways people can help