As the additional restrictions that have been implemented to manage the continuing spread of Covid-19 remain in place, I thought it would be helpful to remind employees of the restrictions in relation to the workplace and travelling to and from work, to ensure we are all carrying out our roles as safely as possible and following the guidance.
Travel to and from work
Public Transport: The current additional restrictions ask us to avoid public transport if possible, and only to use public transport to travel to and from work if there is no alternative.
Car sharing: Car sharing with anyone other than a member of your household is not permitted at any time. No-one should share a car with another person either on their way to and from the workplace or when carrying out their duties during the working day.
Face Coverings
Schools: In secondary schools, face coverings must be worn by adults and all pupils moving around the school, such as in corridors and communal areas where physical distancing is difficult to maintain. While staff and students can continue to wear face coverings if they wish to, face coverings will not generally be necessary in the classroom as there is greater scope for physical distancing and face coverings can have an impact on learning and teaching. However, where adults cannot keep 2m distance and are interacting face-to-face for a sustained period (about 15 minutes or more), face coverings should be worn. Signage is on display as a reminder.
School Transport: On dedicated school transport all children aged five and over, must wear a face covering, in line with guidance for public transport.
Other Council Workplaces: Anyone attending any of our workplaces must wear a face covering in communal areas, including corridors and stairwells, canteens, kitchen areas and break out rooms and when moving around our smart working areas. Additional signs have been produced for our workplaces to remind you of these requirements, and are on display in all the relevant areas. You must ensure that you have a face covering with you and that you wear it in the required areas when attending.
Maximum Capacity for Communal Areas
In schools and other Council work places with communal areas such as meeting rooms, break out areas, kitchen areas and staff rooms, maximum capacities for these areas have been identified through risk assessment and must be adhered to at all times. The maximum capacity will be on display for each area, and any desks, chairs, tables etc that have been identified as not in use to maintain physical distancing should not be used.
Further Information
We would encourage you to ensure that you are aware of all the latest measures, including those announced on 9 October. You can find these on the Scottish Government website.
NHS Test and Protect is Scotland’s public health approach to preventing the spread of coronavirus (Covid-19) in the community. The Test and Protect website has details of:
- how to arrange a test if you have symptoms
- how Track and Trace works in relation to positive cases
- guidance on support for isolating
- details of the Protect Scotland app which we shared in Employee News 60 (9 Sept)
Please ensure that you are aware of and follow all the latest guidance from the Scottish Government and NHS Public Health as we continue to try and control the spread of coronavirus (Covid-19) and keep ourselves, our families and our communities safe.
Thank you
Ann Davie
Depute Chief Executive – Education, People & Business
Tuesday 20 October 2020