No restrictions. But what does that mean for your business?

With previous restrictions removed on July 19th, what does this mean for you as a business owner and for your employees? 

Changes will include:

• Social distancing ending
• Masks will no longer mandatory
• Capacity caps on businesses will be lifted
• Government guidance on working from home will end

July 19th

Restrictions have been removed meaning the message has changed to allowing people to make “informed decisions” and “exercise judgement” about how to manage the virus.

We are by no means free of the virus and although restrictions may be removed, employees are still going to have individual concerns and will want to mitigate their risk. 

The Deputy General Secretary of the Trade Union Congress, Paul Nowak, believes it is “vital” that employees are returning to Covid-secure work places. Adding, “I just don’t think it is acceptable for the Government to simply just outsource its responsibilities to individuals and individual employers”.

This means as an employer, employees will be looking to you for guidance and assurance that returning to “normal working” is safe to do so. 

Workplace Safety

Testing

Whilst regular testing isn’t a legal requirement, it is an effective and quick way to monitor current COVID-19 infections within your team. With all who test positive required to self-isolate, the risk of infections being spread amongst your team is significantly reduced.

There are many benefits to you as a business owner by doing regular testing, here are just a few:

• Less disruption to day-to-day operations
• Employees feel more comfortable in the workplace

Take a look at the testing options we have available:

• BioCan TellMeFast Covid-19 Antigen Test Kit
• NewGene Antigen Nasopharyngeal Test Kit
• NewGene Combi Test Kit: Rapid Antigen and Antibody

It is recommended that employees should be tested twice a week, or every 3-4 days.

Masks

The Chairman of the British Medical Association, Dr Chaand Nagpaul, said it “makes no sense to stop wearing face masks in enclosed public settings”, speaking on BBC Radio 4 he also states, “face masks are proven to reduce the spread of the infection”. 

As mentioned above, wearing face masks will no longer be mandatory however employees should feel comfortable that if they wish to continue wearing one, this is ok. It may also be encouraged to support those individuals by other team members wearing masks around them.

Protect individuals and the environment by having some eco-friendly and biodegradable masks available at work, such as our Biomadetech’s Surgical Face Masks. 

The Government’s Chief Medical Adviser, Professor Chris Whitty, set out three examples of when he would continue to wear a mask:

• In crowded indoor spaces
• If required to do so by any competent authority
• If it would make others feel more comfortable

Cleaning

Another easy way to mitigate workplace risk is to maintain regular cleaning of stations and continue to encourage employees to regularly wash their hands and frequent sanitising. 

Why not offer a natural, alcohol-free and eco-friendly solution? 

• multiGREEEN® Foaming Hand Sanitiser
• multiGREEEN® Surface Disinfectant 

Both products are vegan, cruelty-free, made from only natural and nature-identical ingredients, and most-importantly antimicrobial and antibacterial.