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| Coronavirus: Draft post-lockdown workplace rules contain 'huge gaps' - TUC | Coronavirus: Draft post-lockdown workplace rules contain 'huge gaps' - TUC |
| (32 minutes later) | |
| Draft guidance for getting people back to work during the coronavirus pandemic could compromise worker safety, the head of the TUC has warned. | Draft guidance for getting people back to work during the coronavirus pandemic could compromise worker safety, the head of the TUC has warned. |
| Frances O'Grady, who leads the group representing UK unions, said it cannot back the advice in its "current form". | Frances O'Grady, who leads the group representing UK unions, said it cannot back the advice in its "current form". |
| She said there were "huge gaps" over protective kit and testing. | She said there were "huge gaps" over protective kit and testing. |
| Reduced hot-desking and alternatives to social distancing where it is not possible are among measures being considered by the government. | Reduced hot-desking and alternatives to social distancing where it is not possible are among measures being considered by the government. |
| The document, seen by the BBC, is one of seven draft plans to ease anti-virus restrictions. | |
| It also urges employers to minimise numbers using equipment, stagger shift times and maximise home-working. | It also urges employers to minimise numbers using equipment, stagger shift times and maximise home-working. |
| The guidance covers the whole of the UK - but the devolved governments have the power to make their own decisions on how businesses can get back to work. | The guidance covers the whole of the UK - but the devolved governments have the power to make their own decisions on how businesses can get back to work. |
| Buzzfeed has seen all seven draft documents. | |
| Ms O'Grady said the Trades Union Congress had seen some documents on Sunday. | Ms O'Grady said the Trades Union Congress had seen some documents on Sunday. |
| She said workers' safety must not be compromised and called for "robust direction and enforcement" so employers can "do the right thing" and action can be taken against those who do not. | She said workers' safety must not be compromised and called for "robust direction and enforcement" so employers can "do the right thing" and action can be taken against those who do not. |
| She told BBC Radio 4's The World at One: "The problem is the government is asking us to trust to employer discretion, use words like 'consider social distancing', 'consider having hand sanitiser or soap available', and frankly that's just not good enough." | |
| Asked whether the government's current advice will compromise worker safety, Ms O'Grady said No 10 has time to "get this right" and it should work with unions to ensure "a proper job" and "not a botched job". | Asked whether the government's current advice will compromise worker safety, Ms O'Grady said No 10 has time to "get this right" and it should work with unions to ensure "a proper job" and "not a botched job". |
| According to one of the seven draft documents seen by the BBC, firms are told to enact additional hygiene procedures, as well as physical screens, and 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 BBC has also seen a second document with advice for the hospitality industry, which says bar areas, seated restaurants and cafe areas must be closed, with all food and drink outlets serving takeaway food only. | |
| It adds hotels should consider "room occupancy levels to maintain social distancing, especially in multi-occupancy dormitories". | |
| It also says "guidance to follow" on the use of PPE and face masks. | |
| Some of the other guidance featured in the document includes: | |
| Boris Johnson is to reveal a "roadmap" out of lockdown on Sunday, but in a video message on Monday he said the the UK must not lift restrictions too soon. | Boris Johnson is to reveal a "roadmap" out of lockdown on Sunday, but in a video message on Monday he said the the UK must not lift restrictions too soon. |
| 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. |
| 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. |
| 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. |
| The number of coronavirus-related deaths in the UK stands at 28,446 with 14,248 people currently being treated in hospital. | The number of coronavirus-related deaths in the UK stands at 28,446 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 204 deaths were announced in England, along with 14 more in Wales, six in Northern Ireland and five in Scotland. | On Monday, a further 204 deaths were announced in England, along with 14 more in Wales, six in Northern Ireland and five in Scotland. |
| The latest UK-wide figures - which use a different timeframe to those of individual nations - will be published later. | The latest UK-wide figures - which use a different timeframe to those of individual nations - will be published later. |
| Meanwhile, London's NHS Nightingale hospital is expected not to admit any new patients and be placed on standby in the coming days. | Meanwhile, London's NHS Nightingale hospital is expected not to admit any new patients and be 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. | The BBC understands fewer than 20 people are currently being treated there. |
| 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: |