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Coronavirus: Possible post-lockdown workplace rules revealed Coronavirus: Possible post-lockdown workplace rules revealed
(32 minutes later)
Reduced hot-desking and alternatives to social distancing where it is not possible are among measures being considered to let workplaces reopen.Reduced hot-desking and alternatives to social distancing where it is not possible are among measures being considered to let workplaces reopen.
One of seven draft plans to ease anti-coronavirus restrictions, seen by the BBC, also urges employers to minimise numbers using equipment, stagger shift times and maximise home-working.One of seven draft plans to ease anti-coronavirus restrictions, seen by the BBC, also urges employers to minimise numbers using equipment, stagger shift times and maximise home-working.
PM Boris Johnson is to reveal a "roadmap" out of lockdown on Sunday.PM Boris Johnson is to reveal a "roadmap" out of lockdown on Sunday.
But the UK must not lift restrictions too soon, he said in a video message.But the UK must not lift restrictions too soon, he said in a video message.
In the video, posted on Twitter, Mr Johnson said: "The worst thing we could do now is ease up too soon and allow a second peak of coronavirus."In the video, posted on Twitter, Mr Johnson said: "The worst thing we could do now is ease up too soon and allow a second peak of coronavirus."
Mr Johnson said the UK would only be able to move on to "the second phase of this conflict" when the government's five tests had been met, including a sustained and consistent fall in daily deaths and being confident any adjustments would not risk a second peak which could overwhelm the health service.Mr Johnson said the UK would only be able to move on to "the second phase of this conflict" when the government's five tests had been met, including a sustained and consistent fall in daily deaths and being confident any adjustments would not risk a second peak which could overwhelm the health service.
The BBC has seen one of seven draft documents, which says additional hygiene procedures, physical screens and the use of protective equipment should be considered where maintaining distancing of 2m (6ft) between workers is impossible.The BBC has seen one of seven draft documents, which says additional hygiene procedures, physical screens and the use of protective equipment should be considered where maintaining distancing of 2m (6ft) between workers is impossible.
However, the section marked PPE contains only a promise that "more detail" will follow.However, the section marked PPE contains only a promise that "more detail" will follow.
The guidance covers the whole of the UK - but devolved governments have the power to make their own decisions on how businesses get back to work.The guidance covers the whole of the UK - but devolved governments have the power to make their own decisions on how businesses get back to work.
Unions and industry bodies are concerned about companies' ability to source personal protective equipment (PPE).Unions and industry bodies are concerned about companies' ability to source personal protective equipment (PPE).
Director general of the British Chambers of Commerce Adam Marshall called for "clear guidance" on whether employers needed to provide it.Director general of the British Chambers of Commerce Adam Marshall called for "clear guidance" on whether employers needed to provide it.
"No business wants to be competing with the health services or with the care sector, for example, for PPE," he told BBC Radio 4's Today programme."No business wants to be competing with the health services or with the care sector, for example, for PPE," he told BBC Radio 4's Today programme.
A UK-wide PPE procurement strategy would be "hugely important", he added.A UK-wide PPE procurement strategy would be "hugely important", he added.
Reopening the economy will take more than modified working practices.Reopening the economy will take more than modified working practices.
Workers must be confident they are safe.Workers must be confident they are safe.
Companies must be confident they won't be sued if they get it wrong.Companies must be confident they won't be sued if they get it wrong.
And consumers must be confident enough to spend money.And consumers must be confident enough to spend money.
The government's repetitive message to stay at home to protect the NHS and save lives has been largely effective. Changing the record will be difficult.The government's repetitive message to stay at home to protect the NHS and save lives has been largely effective. Changing the record will be difficult.
Read more from Simon here.Read more from Simon here.
Defence Secretary Ben Wallace told BBC Breakfast protective screens, like those used at some supermarket checkouts, PPE and coronavirus testing could be used to make people feel safe in workplaces if it was "vital" they worked close to each other.Defence Secretary Ben Wallace told BBC Breakfast protective screens, like those used at some supermarket checkouts, PPE and coronavirus testing could be used to make people feel safe in workplaces if it was "vital" they worked close to each other.
Many companies have been shut since widespread limits on everyday life were imposed on 23 March, in a bid to limit the effects of the virus's spread on the NHS.Many companies have been shut since widespread limits on everyday life were imposed on 23 March, in a bid to limit the effects of the virus's spread on the NHS.
Ministers are obliged to review those restrictions by Thursday.Ministers are obliged to review those restrictions by Thursday.
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said it is "very likely" the Scottish government will continue lockdown measures beyond a scheduled review on Thursday.First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said it is "very likely" the Scottish government will continue lockdown measures beyond a scheduled review on Thursday.
Speaking at her daily briefing, Ms Sturgeon said the infection rate is still too high to make "any meaningful change".Speaking at her daily briefing, Ms Sturgeon said the infection rate is still too high to make "any meaningful change".
She added that while work would be done to ensure there is alignment with the rest of the UK, divergence in measures could still be possible.She added that while work would be done to ensure there is alignment with the rest of the UK, divergence in measures could still be possible.
How might workplaces reopen with social distancing?How might workplaces reopen with social distancing?
Finnebrogue Artisan, which makes sausages and bacon in Downpatrick, Northern Ireland, has kept operating throughout the pandemic.Finnebrogue Artisan, which makes sausages and bacon in Downpatrick, Northern Ireland, has kept operating throughout the pandemic.
Director Declan Ferguson told BBC Radio 4's Today programme it was "totally doable" for other companies to reopen.Director Declan Ferguson told BBC Radio 4's Today programme it was "totally doable" for other companies to reopen.
He said they had introduced physical markers to keep staff 2m apart, take workers' temperatures when they arrive, and issue them with masks and visors on the factory floor.He said they had introduced physical markers to keep staff 2m apart, take workers' temperatures when they arrive, and issue them with masks and visors on the factory floor.
Doors are kept open wherever possible to reduce the number of things staff need to touch, and social distancing marshals ensure the rules are being followed.Doors are kept open wherever possible to reduce the number of things staff need to touch, and social distancing marshals ensure the rules are being followed.
Workers are given an extra £1 an hour as a social distancing bonus for sticking to the rules and the company has hired more staff, segregated shifts and staggered breaks.Workers are given an extra £1 an hour as a social distancing bonus for sticking to the rules and the company has hired more staff, segregated shifts and staggered breaks.
"There is an additional cost, we're spending around £100,000 extra a week for these additional measures," said Mr Ferguson. "They need to feel safe in their workplace.""There is an additional cost, we're spending around £100,000 extra a week for these additional measures," said Mr Ferguson. "They need to feel safe in their workplace."
It is not yet clear when schools could return to help more parents go back to work.It is not yet clear when schools could return to help more parents go back to work.
However, the Guardian reports that government scientific advisers are examining the impact of letting children in their final year of primary school return to classrooms from 1 June, as part of a phased reopening of schools.However, the Guardian reports that government scientific advisers are examining the impact of letting children in their final year of primary school return to classrooms from 1 June, as part of a phased reopening of schools.
The number of coronavirus-related deaths in the UK stands at 28,446 - an increase of 315 on Saturday's figure - with 14,248 people currently being treated in hospital.The number of coronavirus-related deaths in the UK stands at 28,446 - an increase of 315 on Saturday's figure - with 14,248 people currently being treated in hospital.
However, admissions have fallen, along with the number of critical care beds being used.However, admissions have fallen, along with the number of critical care beds being used.
On Monday, a further five deaths were announced in Scotland, taking the total there to 1,576. On Monday, a further 204 deaths were announced in England, along with five more in Scotland and 14 more in Wales.
UK-wide figures and those for the other nations will be published later. The latest UK-wide figures - which use a different timeframe to those of individual nations - will be published later.
The prime minister will examine data, take advice on how much the virus has been suppressed and assess the potential consequences on infection rates of changes to rules, before setting out plans next Sunday.The prime minister will examine data, take advice on how much the virus has been suppressed and assess the potential consequences on infection rates of changes to rules, before setting out plans next Sunday.
Responses received last night to the draft workplace guidelines from companies, business groups and unions will also be taken into account.Responses received last night to the draft workplace guidelines from companies, business groups and unions will also be taken into account.
Rail unions have written to Boris Johnson expressing concerns about plans by operators to increase the number of trains in service.Rail unions have written to Boris Johnson expressing concerns about plans by operators to increase the number of trains in service.
"We will not accept new working patterns that put the lives of railway workers and passengers at risk," says the joint letter from ASLEF, RMT and TSSA."We will not accept new working patterns that put the lives of railway workers and passengers at risk," says the joint letter from ASLEF, RMT and TSSA.
On Sunday, Transport Secretary Grant Shapps told the BBC more buses and trains would run but that asking companies to stagger employees' working hours could help to prevent crowded commutes.On Sunday, Transport Secretary Grant Shapps told the BBC more buses and trains would run but that asking companies to stagger employees' working hours could help to prevent crowded commutes.
Meanwhile, London's NHS Nightingale hospital is expected to be mothballed and placed on standby in the coming days.Meanwhile, London's NHS Nightingale hospital is expected to be mothballed and placed on standby in the coming days.
The ExCel Centre was turned into a 4,000-bed facility to increase the NHS's capacity for treating patients with Covid-19.The ExCel Centre was turned into a 4,000-bed facility to increase the NHS's capacity for treating patients with Covid-19.
In a briefing to staff, the hospital's chief executive said it was "likely" the hospital would not need to admit patients in the coming days while the virus remained under control in London.In a briefing to staff, the hospital's chief executive said it was "likely" the hospital would not need to admit patients in the coming days while the virus remained under control in London.
The BBC understands fewer than 20 people are currently being treated there and once they have been discharged the hospital will be placed on standby and staff and PPE will be redeployed and redistributed.The BBC understands fewer than 20 people are currently being treated there and once they have been discharged the hospital will be placed on standby and staff and PPE will be redeployed and redistributed.
But the hospital will be ready to resume operations "as and when needed in the weeks and potentially months to come".But the hospital will be ready to resume operations "as and when needed in the weeks and potentially months to come".
In other developments:In other developments:
How have you been affected by coronavirus? Share your experiences by emailing haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk.How have you been affected by coronavirus? Share your experiences by emailing haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk.
Please include a contact number if you are willing to speak to a BBC journalist.Please include a contact number if you are willing to speak to a BBC journalist.
Or use the form below:Or use the form below: