All Staff – Message

Last night UK and Scottish Governments provided clear advice on measures we should all take to slow the spread of COVID-19 (coronavirus). 

We will be issuing messages to all staff in relation to these developments for the foreseeable future – you should look out for these.  Messages will be issued through email, text message, included on our Connect site and cascaded by line managers for all frontline staff.  If you have any questions then you can phone 030 33 33 3000 and to find out more on latest updates.

In response to Government advice, the first action we are taking is to ensure anyone in the at risk groups identified by Government are supported to work from home – that’s people over 70, pregnant women and those who have high risk and underlying  health conditions. The presumption is that if you are in these groups you will not attend your place of work and, as far as possible will be supported to work remotely.  You will continue to be paid.

This is likely to be for an extended period and we will be advising your managers about keeping in touch with you and supporting you through this. 

If you are in any of these groups, please alert your line manager immediately.  Arrangements will be made with you to work from home from today. 

If you can’t contact your line manager or want advice please call Human Resources on
01387 260300 (ext 64300) . 

Priority is being given to arranging remote working kit for any staff in at risk groups.

Many of us already make use of smarter working and mobile technology.  Where this is already available to you, in line with normal practice you should agree working arrangements with your manager.

Government Advice

To slow the spread of COVID-19 (coronavirus) the general public are being asked to stay at home as much as possible and avoid unnecessary social contact.

People over 70, pregnant women and those who have high risk and underlying health conditions are being strongly advised to stay at home as much as possible and significantly reduce unnecessary social contact.

Those most at risk strongly advised to reduce unnecessary contact

The advice is that people should:

• minimise social contact by avoiding crowded areas and large gatherings, including religious congregations and smaller gatherings such as restaurants, pubs, bars, clubs, cinemas and gyms
• avoid using public transport as much as possible
• work from home when possible
• follow the latest health and travel advice, and follow basic hygiene precautions, such as washing hands frequently, not touching their face and covering their nose and mouth with a tissue when coughing or sneezing

People showing symptoms suggestive of coronavirus should stay at home for seven days and only contact NHS 111 or their local GP if their symptoms worsen during that period.

Members of a household where someone has suspected symptoms should stay at home for 14 days.

These measures have come into force with immediate effect.

Schools will remain open for the time being, however this decision will be consistently monitored and reviewed depending on the spread of the infection. Those who cannot work from home should continue to go to work unless advised by their employer or if they display symptoms.

These measures will be kept under constant review to try to slow down the spread of the infection.

Information on when and how to self-isolate can be found on the NHS Inform website.

Frequently Asked Questions - Coronavirus

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