The document “Our Plan To Rebuild: The UK Government’s COVID-19 Recovery Strategy” has been published. HM Government has released “Our Plan to Rebuild,” a document outlining the UK Government’s COVID-19 recovery strategy.
Section 4 outlines the “roadmap to lift restrictions step-by-step”. Regarding returning to work, Government guidelines state “All workers who cannot work from home should travel to work if their workplace is open. Sectors of the economy that are allowed to be open should be open, for example, this includes food production, construction, manufacturing, logistics, distribution, and scientific research in laboratories."
COVID-19 Secure guidelines
As soon as practicable, workplaces should follow the new “COVID-19 Secure” guidelines"
Government guidelines state, "As soon as practicable, workplaces should follow the new “COVID-19 Secure” guidelines, as set out in the previous chapter, which will be published this week. These will ensure the risk of infection is as low as possible, while allowing as many people as possible to resume their livelihoods."
"It remains the case that anyone who has symptoms, however mild, or is in a household where someone has symptoms, should not leave their house to go to work. Those people should self-isolate, as should those in their households.”
COVID-19 measures
BAFE recommends all Registered Companies with work scheduled and ongoing service and maintenance agreements to remain in touch with their clients. Whether they are currently still operating or closed and planning to reopen in the near future, they must ensure their fire safety systems and provisions remain operational and well maintained. This may also require an updated fire risk assessment and any issues actioned for any changes to the building to comply with COVID-19 measures.
BAFE guides all Registered Companies with work scheduled and ongoing service and care agreements
The government prefaced the above information by noting that “the changes to the policy in this step will apply from Wednesday 13 May in England. As the rate of infection may be different in different parts of the UK, this guidance should be considered alongside local public health and safety requirements for Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.” Continue to remain safe, following Government guidance and using appropriate PPE.
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Stephen Adams, Chief Executive–BAFE, added: “Fire safety legislation is still very much being enforced in the interest of life safety. It is crucial at this time that the industry reminds their clients of their responsibilities, and the recommended actions of the appropriate British Standards, to mitigate risk from fire as best as possible."
He adds, "We are fully aware this will have to be performed in a sensitive manner, but statistically companies affected from fire struggle to return. The last thing anyone wants on our exit out of lockdown are devastating fire events causing further dire complications for businesses.”