COVID-19: Summer update
Last week the milestone of over 35 million adults to receive both doses of a COVID-19 vaccine was passed. Millions of adults who fall into the most vulnerable category will be offered booster vaccinations in September. This is if sufficient data suggests they are required, when the time comes.
What’s changing?
From today (19th July) all remaining limits on social contact are removed and there will be no more restrictions on how many people can meet in any setting, indoors or outdoors.
All locations will now be able to open their doors once again, including nightclubs. Large-scale events, such as music concerts and sporting events can resume without any limits on attendance or social distancing requirements.
All restrictions on life events such as weddings, funerals, bar/bat mitzvahs and baptisms will be lifted. This includes the number of attendees. There will be no requirement for table service at such events, or restrictions on singing or dancing.
From today, the legal requirement to wear a face covering will be lifted. Published guidance will advise wearing a face covering to help prevent your risk and risk to others of spreading COVID-19. This is wherever you come into contact with people you don’t normally meet in enclosed and crowded spaces.
Masks will remain compulsory on London transport and other transport providers are imposing similar requirements.
Businesses
It is no longer necessary for the Government to instruct people to work from home. Employers can therefore start to plan a return to workplaces.
Regulations that place COVID-secure requirements on businesses, including table service, and distancing between tables, are now removed. ‘Working Safely’ guidance will be updated to provide examples of sensible precautions employers can take to reduce risk in their workplaces. Employers should take note of this guidance when preparing any risk assessments they are already required to make under pre-pandemic health and safety rules.
Exceptions
Businesses must not require a self-isolating worker to come to work. They should ensure that workers and customers who feel unwell do not attend the workplace.
Businesses will be encouraged to display QR codes for customers to check in using the NHS COVID-19 app. This will help support NHS Test and Trace. However, it will no longer be a legal requirement.
Step 4 precautions still in place
- Testing when you have symptoms and targeted asymptomatic testing for those in education and high-risk workplaces, to help people manage their personal risk.
- Isolating when positive or when contacted by NHS Test and Trace.
- Border quarantine for all arriving from red list countries and for those people not fully vaccinated arriving from amber list countries.
- Cautious guidance is advised whilst COVID-19 prevalence is high, including:
- Whilst the Government is no longer instructing people to work from home if they can. The government expects and recommends a gradual return over the summer
- The Government recommends that people wear face coverings in crowded areas such as public transport.
- Being outside or letting fresh air inside.
- Minimising the number, proximity and duration of social contacts.
- Encouraging and supporting businesses and large events to use the NHS COVID Pass in high-risk locations. The Government will work with organisations where people are likely to be in close proximity to others outside their household to encourage use of this. If sufficient measures are not taken to limit infection, the Government will consider mandating certification in certain venues at a later date.
Read the full list of changes here.
Red, Amber and Green list rules for entering England
The Balearic Islands, amongst others, have been added to England’s travel amber list from today. This means that those who are not fully vaccinated or aged under 18 will have to quarantine on their return.
Anyone who is fully vaccinated arriving from France to England must continue to quarantine for 10 days at home or in other accommodation. Further details can be found here.
Visit the Gov.UK website to view the list of countries and territories as Red, Amber or Green and find out what you must do if you have been in those countries or territories.
You can also read an overview of all the things you need to do to:
For further advice or support for your business, contact our Business Services team on 01903 234094.
