The government has announced that Thurrock will be going into tier 2 or high alert once we come out of lockdown next week.

The new tier restrictions come into place from midnight on Wednesday 2 December and current restrictions will end at 11.59pm on Tuesday 1 December. The guidance for each tier has been changed and some of the key rules for tier 2 will now be:

• you must not socialise with anyone you do not live with or who is not in your support bubble in any indoor setting, whether at home or in a public place
• you must not socialise in a group of more than six people outside, including in a garden or a public space
• pubs and bars must close, unless operating as restaurants and hospitality venues must close between 11pm and 5am with final orders at 10pm

If you live in a tier 2 area you must continue to follow tier 2 rules when you travel to a tier one area. You should not travel to or have overnight stays in tier 3 areas other than where necessary. If you live in a tier 3 area, you should avoid going to areas in other tiers but you can continue to travel to your place of work if you cannot work from home.

You can read the full government guidance at www.gov.uk/coronavirus.

Staff to continue working from home

Staff and managers are reminded of the importance of working from home wherever possible and to only attend work where you cannot do this from home. Individual circumstances must be discussed with your manager at the earliest opportunity and appropriate arrangements considered including risk assessments; particularly for our staff who are Clinically Extremely Vulnerable (CEV).

If you do have to attend a workplace ensure you remember ‘Hands. Face. Space’ – our working environments have been risk assessed to ensure they are safe for staff and we need you to assist us in staying safe by following the measures in place. Staff who have symptoms should not attend their place of work and absences including self-isolation should be logged on Oracle Cloud as soon as possible.

Travel Aboard

Through to Wednesday 2 December, travelling away from home, including international travel, is restricted except in limited circumstances. The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) currently advises against all but essential travel to many countries and territories on the basis of COVID-19 risks. You should check the travel advice for your destination.

Travel disruption is possible worldwide and other countries may bring in new measures with little notice such as border closures, movement restrictions or quarantine rules. Travelers should be prepared to stay overseas longer than planned. Should you need to travel abroad up to and including on Wednesday 2 December due to exceptional circumstances please speak to your line manager as soon as possible.

From that date onwards international travel restrictions may be relaxed however staff should remain mindful of requirements for quarantine and any planned leave that involves travel abroad should be discussed with your line manager. Please read the international travel advice for the most up to date information.

Wellbeing

Please make sure you are having regular check-ins with you manager to discuss the impacts of COVID-19 on individual circumstances and to ensure you are remaining well during these very different circumstances. Team meetings and 1:1’s must still be taking place monthly during this time and be sure to check in on your team members and colleagues so that every member of #TeamThurrock is getting the support needed.

Reminder for those visiting the Civic Offices

Staff who have been approved to visit the Civic Offices are asked to follow the guidance and risk assessment document on the Coronavirus intranet page in addition to the following:

1. follow the arrows/one way system currently in place
2. only one person in a lift at any time unless assistance is required
3. clean your desk before and after use
4. wipe down/clean a meeting room before and after use
5. keep 2 metres apart unless this is not possible and mitigation is in place

The Coronavirus intranet page will remain updated to reflect the latest information and guidance for staff. Thank you all for your ongoing hard work during this challenging time.

We have seen some truly outstanding work from #TeamThurrock this year in the face of tremendous challenges, and now we need your help in recognising it by nominating a deserving colleague for a Staff Award.

A submitting your best nomination guide is available to help you, with further details on the intranet about our three new award categories this year. Who will you be nominating?

Nominations are open through to Friday 18 December - make a nomination today. Here's what one of last year's awards finalists said about being nominated for an award:

Kiri Mason, Unsung Hero finalist in Staff Awards 2019

Last year I was pleasantly surprised to be shortlisted for Unsung Hero as part of the Staff Awards. Being shortlisted was great, but the fundamental thing I am grateful for was simply being nominated. The fact that someone thought of me and took time out of their busy schedule to write a nomination is something I very much appreciate. Thank you again to the person who nominated me!

I hope that, particularly this year, people are able to take the time to think of someone they feel deserves a nomination - I’m sure, like me, it will make a real difference in making them feel valued for the amazing work they are doing. Thank you.

Take a moment from your day to nominate that well deserved colleague for a Staff Award. 

Free flu vaccinations will be available to eligible staff at the Civic Offices and Oliver Close from Monday 7 December through to Tuesday 15 December.

Please read this staff notice for details on who is eligible for a free vaccination and instructions to follow, such as wearing a face mask to your appointment.

Civic Offices - from 9am to 4.10pm, Ground Floor Therapy Room. Book your place by emailing Myhealthandwellbeing@thurrock.gov.uk with your name, age, payroll number and directorate.

• Monday 7 December
• Wednesday 9 December
• Thursday 10 December
• Friday 11 December
• Monday 14 December

Oliver Close - from 9am to 4.10pm, Room 2. Book your place by emailing wasteadmin@thurrock.gov.uk with your name, age, payroll number and directorate.

• Tuesday 8 December
• Tuesday 15 December