Advisers should update employee risk assessments and meeting policies in light of new rules meaning double jabbed people no longer have to isolate if they come into contact with someone who has tested positive for Covid.
The amended rules covering England and Northern Ireland mean tinstead of quarantining for 10 days, people with two Covid vaccines will be advised to take a PCR test, though this is not compulsory.
They are also advised to wear a face covering in enclosed spaces and limit contact with others, especially the clinically vulnerable.
Health & Protection spoke to employment lawyer Chris Tutton, partner at Synchrony Law, about what the new rules, which have already been introduced in Scotland and Wales, mean for advisers as they resume face-to-face meetings.
“It would be unwise to send out advisers if they have potentially been exposed to Covid,” Tutton said.
“While the rules that you need to isolate if you have been pinged by the app have changed, it is a matter of health and safety. You should be thinking about updated risk assessments in particular scenarios.
“You need to be clear with staff about what the rules are if they have been in contact with someone with Covid and whether you will implement new measures as a result of that.”
Tutton explains the issue may be simple to resolve as it may be a question of asking advisers who have come into contact with someone with the virus to work remotely until they have the results of a PCR test.
“You could still say we don’t want you in the office until you have no longer have those symptoms or had a PCR test to confirm you haven’t got it. But you’re not obliged to force someone to isolate if they are notified,” he said.
“It’s not going to be a criminal offence and you won’t be subject to fine if they breach the rules or come in earlier than that.
“But there are still health and safety implications which means you need to have some measures in place like testing, or be obliged to have limited contact and homeworking to mitigate the risk, and you probably need to update your risk assessments.”