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COVID - 19
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What are the symptoms of Covid-19?
Most common symptoms of coronavirus (COVID-19) are recent onset of:
What should you do if you show any of the above symptoms?
If you develop a recent onset of a new continuous cough and /or high temperature (no matter how mild) you must:
Employees experiencing such symptoms and self-isolating do NOT need to call 111 to go into self-isolation. Only if symptoms get worse or are still present after 7 days should you call 111. Please note that you may not be tested for Covid-19 if your symptoms are mild. If you self-isolate, we will treat you as being absence due to sickness and our normal sickness pay policy will apply except that SSP will be paid from day 1 (rather than from day 4).
You can generate a sickness note for self isolation online here : https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/
*Please note that 14-day medical isolation is only required for those people that have had exposure to a confirmed case but show no symptoms as it represents the whole incubation period for symptoms to show. Most people will no longer be likely to transmit the virus after 7 days from onset of symptoms.*
Employees may be informed by a by 111 or another professional medical body due to exposure to a confirmed case of Covid-19 to medically self-isolate for 14 days in which case they must remain absence for this period of time and follow the self-isolation guidance provided by NHS or 111 and do not return to work until the end of the self-isolation period.
Any self-isolation includes staying at home; not going to work, schools or any public places; not using public transport or taxis; and try to avoid visitors to your home unless they are delivering essential items.
What you can do to help prevent the spread of any virus or bacteria
Specific Actions
To enable us to plan and prepare appropriately, we need to understand our risks, can you please therefore speak to your immediate line manager as soon as possible if :
Site Practices
All customers, site managers, etc, will have been sent our current Covid-19 guidance and site practice notification prior to you attending site and will be have been asked to maintain a distance from you and not to have close contact.
When on site ensure :
Travel Advice
The UK Government have provided the following advice for any travellers that have returned to the UK from high risk areas, which must be followed:
STEP 1:
If you have returned from any of the following areas and do not have any symptoms, you are required to stay indoors and avoid contact with other people.
If you have returned from any of the following areas in the last 14 days and have symptoms of cough, high temperature or shortness of breath, even if your symptoms are mild, you are required to stay indoors and avoid contact with other people.
STEP 2:
Further information
Should you require further information, please rely on the following sources rather than the media and come and call your line manager if you have any concerns:
Most common symptoms of coronavirus (COVID-19) are recent onset of:
- new continuous dry cough, and/or high temperature
- high temperature
What should you do if you show any of the above symptoms?
If you develop a recent onset of a new continuous cough and /or high temperature (no matter how mild) you must:
- Stay at home for 7 days from when the symptoms started
- Call work and report your absence as you would do normally stating that you are displaying symptoms of Covid-19 and intend to self-isolate or 7 days
- Do NOT visit your GP, a pharmacy or the hospital
- Ask your employer, friends and family to get the things you need to stay at home.
- Stay at least 2 metres (about 3 steps) away from other people in your home whenever possible.
- Sleep alone, if that is possible.
- Use a separate bathroom if possible, if not, ensure the bathroom is cleaned thoroughly each time you have used it.
- Wash your hands regularly for 20 seconds, each time using soap and water.
- Stay away from vulnerable individuals such as the elderly and those with underlying health conditions as much as possible.
Employees experiencing such symptoms and self-isolating do NOT need to call 111 to go into self-isolation. Only if symptoms get worse or are still present after 7 days should you call 111. Please note that you may not be tested for Covid-19 if your symptoms are mild. If you self-isolate, we will treat you as being absence due to sickness and our normal sickness pay policy will apply except that SSP will be paid from day 1 (rather than from day 4).
You can generate a sickness note for self isolation online here : https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/
*Please note that 14-day medical isolation is only required for those people that have had exposure to a confirmed case but show no symptoms as it represents the whole incubation period for symptoms to show. Most people will no longer be likely to transmit the virus after 7 days from onset of symptoms.*
Employees may be informed by a by 111 or another professional medical body due to exposure to a confirmed case of Covid-19 to medically self-isolate for 14 days in which case they must remain absence for this period of time and follow the self-isolation guidance provided by NHS or 111 and do not return to work until the end of the self-isolation period.
Any self-isolation includes staying at home; not going to work, schools or any public places; not using public transport or taxis; and try to avoid visitors to your home unless they are delivering essential items.
What you can do to help prevent the spread of any virus or bacteria
- Please ensure that you regularly wash your hands with soap for 20 seconds: when you get home or into work, after coughing/sneezing, visiting the toilet and before and after handling food. You may wish to also use hand sanitizer however, we appreciate that this is in short supply at the moment but anti-bacterial soap is as effective.
- Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or by using the crook of your arm (rather than your hand) when coughing and sneezing.
- Put used tissues in a covered bin or down the toilet as soon as they have been used and wash hands afterwards.
- Try and avoid close contact with people who are unwell.
- Office staff - Keep your desk clear and clean, including keyboards and mice.
- DO NOT touch your eyes, nose and mouth if your hands are not clean
Specific Actions
To enable us to plan and prepare appropriately, we need to understand our risks, can you please therefore speak to your immediate line manager as soon as possible if :
- you suffer from any long-term health condition which may place you at higher risk of suffering more seriously from the virus e.g. pregnancy, lung or breathing conditions, low immune systems, diabetes, cancer etc.
- You have or plan to visit on holiday any of the countries which are identified on the government website as high risk i.e. Italy, Iran China, South Korea, Cheongdo, Gyeongsan, Cambodia, Hong Kong, Japan, Laos, Macau, Malaysia, Myanmar, Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand and Vietnam
Site Practices
All customers, site managers, etc, will have been sent our current Covid-19 guidance and site practice notification prior to you attending site and will be have been asked to maintain a distance from you and not to have close contact.
When on site ensure :
- Keep at least 2mtrs distance from other site employees where possible.
- Wash your hands regularly and use the antibacterial wipes provided.
- Disinfect your site tools, equipment and van regularly each day.
- Ask customers/site managers to sign completed job sheets using their own pen.
- Use antibacterial wipes before and after using site toilet facilities.
- Use antibacterial wipes before and after using third party facilities such as motorway services, etc.
- Report any possible contact or symptoms to your site supervisor or line manager immediately.
Travel Advice
The UK Government have provided the following advice for any travellers that have returned to the UK from high risk areas, which must be followed:
STEP 1:
If you have returned from any of the following areas and do not have any symptoms, you are required to stay indoors and avoid contact with other people.
- Anywhere in Italy on or after 9th March 2020
- Specific areas in northern Italy in the last 14 days - https://www.gov.uk/guidance/coronavirus-covid-19-information-for-the-public#lockdown-areas
- Iran in the last 14 days
- Hubei province in China in the last 14 days
- Daegu, Cheongdo or Gyeongsan in South Korea in the last 14 days
If you have returned from any of the following areas in the last 14 days and have symptoms of cough, high temperature or shortness of breath, even if your symptoms are mild, you are required to stay indoors and avoid contact with other people.
- Italy (outside specific areas in northern Italy) before 9 March
- Mainland China outside of Hubei province
- South Korea outside of Daegu, Cheongdo and Gyeongsan
- Cambodia
- Hong Kong
- Japan
- Laos
- Macau
- Malaysia
- Myanmar
- Singapore
- Taiwan
- Thailand
- Vietnam
STEP 2:
- Call work and report your absence as you would do normally stating that you are intending to carry out a Covid-19 check
- Do NOT visit your GP, a pharmacy or the hospital but instead firstly complete the online checklist available on https://111.nhs.uk/covid-19 to gain further advice. You may then be recommended to call 111.
Further information
Should you require further information, please rely on the following sources rather than the media and come and call your line manager if you have any concerns:
