Date construction workers and other industries can return as country eases out of lockdown Nicola Sturgeon announced Scotland’s moved into phase 2 … For more information on shielding in Scotland, head to the Scottish government's website. The objective of Scotland's Strategic Framework is to set out a sustainable response to the pandemic to be implemented until either a vaccine or highly effective treatments to the virus are developed. Further information on workplaces that must close and workplaces that can remain open with working from home the default position can be found at COVID-19 Level 4; this includes information on those workplaces supporting Critical National Infrastructure. Those affected will receive a letter from the Chief Medical Officer Dr Gregor Smith outlining new guidelines and the work to be done to move to pausing shielding from 1 August, as long the evidence is clear that it is safe to do so. The new guidelines say that you can: 1. go outside once a day with members of your household 2. or, if you’re living alone, with one other person from a different household. The thought of returning to work after shielding is likely to affect each of us in different ways. It’s also recommended that you phone your GP or specialist to discuss this as well. Coronavirus in Scotland LIVE as 14 people die and 499 confirmed cases What is 'shielding'? Update to Businesses and premises that must remain closed section. As to whether you can furlough these workers, simply because they live with someone who is shielding, one set of government guidance on the extended furlough scheme does indicate that you can furlough workers who need to stay at home with someone … Advice for people who are shielding is to change in the coming month. But she said many … If you're shielding, you should not return to work. This ultimately means that people who have been shielding may be able to start to return to work subject to them being able to observe strict social distancing. Up to 2 million extremely vulnerable people shielding in England must not be forced to return to their workplaces, trade unions have declared, … The thought of returning to work after shielding is likely to affect each of us in different ways. Gov.scot uses cookies which are essential for the site to work. The Scottish Government are asking people to keep shielding until at least the end of July, and will continue to support those who are shielding until at least the end of that month. It’s advised that this is the same person each time. We recognise this continues to be a testing time for business in Scotland. They don't even want a copy of my letter. “If you choose to spend time outdoors, this can be with members of your own household. People should work from home if possible, and your employer is expected to help you to do so. Ideally, this should be the same person each time. Going to work. In Levels 3 and 4 restrictions and closures apply. When a return to work is possible employers must carry out individual risk assessments Employers will need to undertake individual risk assessments to support previously shielding staff to return. Carers are able to continue to visit but must follow guidelines, and those without a care network close by can make use of a national support system, including pharmacists, supermarkets and local authorities. Said I had spoken to my GP. For people shielding in Scotland, the guidance has not yet changed. People who have been shielding as they slowly start to return to work to feel less anxious and more supported. Find Accessing COVID-secure precautions Employers should ensure all workers, including those in higher-risk groups, are able to access all the protections that are necessary, eg during night shifts, when working remotely or working alone. In this public health crisis, it is vital that all businesses act responsibly and align fully with published guidance. A teacher who was previously shielding has been told to stay on the front line during the latest restrictions, despite pupils in the same position being allowed to work at home. Instead, leaving the house remains advised against, even to go out for shopping, leisure or travel or to pick up food and medication deliveries. But what does it mean for shielding employees? When at work, you should follow physical distancing advice. Those categorised as vulnerable because of an underlying health condition should have received written communication from their GP practice or specialist on how best to protect themselves in March. The formal shielding notification you receive will act as evidence for your employer of the Department of Work and Pensions that you are advised to shield and may be eligible for SSP or ESA. For each level, there’s extra advice if you’re considered clinically extremely vulnerable. If you do go out, you should take extra care to minimise contact with others by keeping two metres apart. The Framework covers the four key harms of the virus, how we will work to suppress the virus, and sets out our proposal to move to a strategic approach to outbreak management based on five … A ‘phased return to work’ is when someone who’s been absent might need to … Get a shielding note if you cannot work. These have local rules for everyone. Added link to call centre and customer contact centre environments guidance. Where clinically extremely vulnerable staff are required to shield and are unable to work from home, employers should follow the latest Staff Council guidance on pay (Joint guidance on shielding due to COVID-19 - 23 November 2020) and visit the frequently asked questions around pay for staff during the COVID-19 pandemic. As outlined in our route map we have and continue to take an evidence-led transparent and phased approach to Scotland’s economic restart and recovery. From 18 June, if the infection rate is low enough, people shielding will be able to go outside for exercise. “If you live alone, you can spend time outdoors with one person from another household. As COVID-19 becomes more in control and lockdown restrictions are eased, those of us who have shielded will be invited to transition back into work when it is safe to do so. This is built around three pillars: The objective of Scotland's Strategic Framework is to set out a sustainable response to the pandemic to be implemented until either a vaccine or highly effective treatments to the virus are developed. You do not need to get a return to work note from your GP or care provider. Scotland has 5 levels of restrictions, called ‘COVID protection levels’. Shielding is being paused in England, … Scotland says people on the shielding list can follow the same advice as everyone else in their local area, guided by a tier system. Elsewhere, subject to advice from the Chief Medical Officer, high-risk employees in Wales can potentially return to the workplace from 16 August, while Scotland has extended its advice to shield until at least 31 July, with no indication yet as to what will happen after this date. You can use this note to claim Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) or Employment and Support Allowance (ESA). If you can't work from home (I can't) then you should be on fully paid leave. The Scottish Government has information to enable you to make informed choices about balancing risk with your health and daily activities including guidance about the conditions for the main shielding categories. Returning to work after shielding: guide for individuals As COVID-19 becomes more under control and lockdown restrictions are eased, those of us who have shielded maybe invited to transition back into work when it is safe to do so. You should continue to work from home if you can. We also use non-essential cookies to help us improve our websites. By continuing to use this site, you agree to our use of cookies. Anyone who's been shielding should talk to their employer as soon as possible about plans to help them return. ... Read our advice on shielding, your rights and home working, and what to do if family members have been told to shield. Any data collected is anonymised. If you cannot work from home, you can go to your workplace if it's safe for you to do so. You can access it here. Added link to the occupational risk assessment guidance and assessment tool. Employees and workers who are no longer shielding may be able to return to the workplace if it's safe. So in theory, if you have been shielding up until this point, you could opt to return to work, but this will be a deeply personal decision you may want to discuss with family or others that are close to you. In Scotland, the advice around shielding has not changed. Updated to incorporate information from business physical distancing guide. There is a range of business support available for businesses which are affected by the measures in the strategic framework. From August 1 in England, they will no longer be required to stay at home and may be asked to return to work. Level 0 is the most relaxed, level 4 the strictest. Further changes come into effect on August 1, when those who are shielding and unable to work from home can return to work as long as certain protective measures are in place. This guidance will be kept under regular review.”, More information on English shielding measures can be found here, This website and its associated newspaper are members of Independent Press Standards Organisation (IPSO). Your feedback will help us improve this site, Coronavirus (COVID-19): creating and maintaining safer workplaces, Find On 31stMay, the shielding guidelines in England were eased slightly. You may feel relief in being able to go back to a sense of normality and to see people, or you may feel anxious and apprehensive to go … Employees should not return to work after shielding may be able to return to strict protective shielding vulnerable. To shield can start taking steps to spend time outdoors with one person another! Staff retuning to work from home if you ca n't work from home, you can this... 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