Guidance Archives - Page 18 of 34

Self-Isolation Rules, Right to Work & SSP Rebate Scheme

Posted on January 6, 2022 by Fiona Campbell

Changes to self-isolation rules

Nicola Sturgeon has announced that those self-isolating with coronavirus can end their isolation period after 7 days, providing they don’t have a fever and record 2 negative lateral flow tests (no earlier than day 6 and a second test at least 24 hours later). There are specific requirements so please read the full guidance available at Coronavirus (COVID-19): Self-isolation guidance for individuals with possible coronavirus infection | NHS inform (note that gov.scot info on self-isolation now signposts to NHS Inform). Please note, if an employee was told to self-isolate prior to 6 January, they should continue to follow the advice given at that time.

Additionally, throughout the UK, asymptomatic individuals who return a positive lateral flow will no longer have to confirm their result with a PCR test.

Digital right to work checks made permanent

Digital right to work (RTW) checks were introduced on a temporary basis to alleviate the practical difficulties associated with completing physical checks whilst working remotely during the Coronavirus pandemic. It has now been announced that a permanent system of digital RTW checks will be put into place from 6 April 2022.

The cost of the digital right-to-work checks are set to be funded by employers, with an individual check costing between £1.45 and £70, according to the Home Office. In addition, the costs will only be applied to documents from UK nationals, while the existing free online service can still be used for applications from overseas.

Details published of the re-opened SSP Rebate Scheme

On 21 December 2021, the UK Government re-opened the Coronavirus SSP Rebate Scheme

The Scheme covers the cost of up to two weeks’ SSP per employee for Covid-related absences to employers with fewer than 250 employees.

Making a claim

This two-week limit will be reset so an employer will be able to claim up to two weeks per employee regardless of whether they have claimed under the previous scheme for that same employee.

The portal will be live from mid-January 2022, but employers can backdate claims for any Covid-related absences beginning on or after 21 December 2021. Whilst this is described as a temporary scheme in government guidance, no end date has been confirmed for when this scheme will close.

The previous scheme

The existing portal closed on 31 December 2021 for any absences prior to 30 September 2021. Employers will not be able to claim for the period from 1 October – 20 December 2021 inclusive as there was no scheme in operation during that time.

Record keeping

Employers must keep the following records for three years from the date they receive payment for their claim:

The dates the employee was off sick
Which of those days were qualifying days
The reason they said they were off work due to Covid (e.g. positive test/isolation instruction)
The employee’s National Insurance number

Further guidance to be published

Under the previous SSP Rebate scheme, the waiting days were suspended for Covid-related absences to enable employers to pay SSP from the first qualifying day of sickness. It is anticipated that this rule will continue when the scheme re-opens in January 2022, but further guidance is awaited on this point.

COVID-19 or Other Illness on the Premises

Posted on December 23, 2021 by Fiona Campbell

In the event that a guest develops symptoms whilst staying away from home, they should immediately book a test through NHS Inform or, if they can’t get online by phoning 0800 028 2816.

In accordance with Test and Protect, people with symptoms are required to self-isolate and book a test, and whilst awaiting this test result, everyone in their household should isolate. If the test is negative, everyone can end isolation. If the test is positive, the index case (or person who has tested positive for Covid) should continue to self-isolate and the NHS Test and Protect team will be in touch to start contact tracing. The household/close contacts should also self-isolate whilst awaiting a PCR test and depending on their age, vaccination status and whether they have any symptoms, they will be given advice on self-isolation through Test and Protect as appropriate.

If guests who are isolating can travel home safely to isolate, avoiding the use of public transport, they should do this. In the event that this is not possible, if guests are able to isolate safely in holiday / temporary accommodation, this may be advisable. If such an extended stay is necessary, unless otherwise provided for in the contractual terms of the booking, the guest will be expected to pay the costs of an extended stay in all but exceptional circumstances. Those who test positive for coronavirus should not travel by public transport or take a flight. If possible, they would be able to drive themselves home. If the guest is either unable to travel home safely or to isolate within their current accommodation (for example if there are shared facilities, or risks cannot be mitigated to protect staff), the guest should discuss this with the NHS Test and Protect team. The guest may be signposted to the National Assistance Helpline on 0800 111 4000 if they need help to isolate and cannot arrange it themselves or through friends and family.

In some circumstances further discussion may be required with the local Health Protection Team and local authority to ensure that the person has suitable accommodation to isolate safely and effectively.

After the required period of self-isolation, guests and anyone else in their party who has been affected can then return to their main place of residence.

Non-coronavirus illness

If visitors become unwell (with non-coronavirus symptoms) while on holiday in Scotland, they should refer to the NHS inform website for self-management advice, information about medical services available locally, and other information about how they can access services. Depending on the nature of the illness a number of different services are available.

Local community pharmacies are a very useful first stop for any health advice, treatment of minor ailments or injuries. If necessary patients can also be seen as a temporary resident by the local GP practice. Please phone the GP practice first before attending. If you need to be seen by a doctor or another member of the team e.g. a practice nurse, the practice may offer you a telephone consultation or a video consultation. Depending on the problem they might advise you to attend the local Minor Injury Unit or Emergency/ Accident and Emergency department.

If you are visiting from another part of the UK, you may also be able to contact your own GP practice who may be able to offer you a telephone or video consultation, depending on the nature of the problem.

If the medical issue occurs “out of hours” after 6 pm in the evening to 8 am in the morning and over the weekends, and is not an emergency, then please call 111 for advice. They will put you in touch with the local out of hours GP service if necessary.

In an emergency (for example suspected heart attack or stroke, breathing difficulties or severe bleeding) patients should dial 999 which is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Update to Restrictions and Guidance for Tourist Accommodation and Attractions

Posted on December 23, 2021 by Fiona Campbell

From 27 December, tourist accommodation (including hotels, hostels, boarding or guest houses, members clubs and bed and breakfast accommodation providers) and indoor tourist attractions will be required to:

Implement one metre physical distancing between groups of customers in tourist accommodation and indoor tourist attractions. Business and premises should bear in mind that this may impact their capacity limit. Current guidance advises customers to limit their groups to a maximum of three households.
Implement table service for food and drink in tourism accommodation and indoor attractions where alcohol is sold for consumption, or consumed, on the premises. Ordering at a bar is permitted if table service is not practical in the premises. In this case, a queuing system with physical distancing should in place and customers must return to their table to consume any food or drink. Table service does not apply where alcohol is not served or consumed on the premises. Buffet services in tourist accommodation for breakfast and other meals are permitted if a queuing system with physical distancing is in place and customers return to their table.

Self-catering / exclusive use accommodation is not included in the requirement to implement physical distancing.

A group is defined as two or more members of the same household, or of a group formed of more than one household attending the premises together. The strong advice is that people should not meet in groups of more than three households.

Accommodation providers should take reasonable measures to ensure physical distancing between self-defined groups in spaces such as shared dining areas, lounges, shared kitchens, hallways / entrance areas and in the case of hostels – shared dormitory rooms.

In addition to the above, premises in the tourism and hospitality sector should continue to observe ongoing baseline measures, such as wearing of face coverings when not seated in hospitality, recording customer contact details and observing good hygiene practices throughout premises.

The previous advice on covid on the premises and test and protect and specific Q&A on face coverings was included in the previous iteration of the guidance and remains unchanged.

Q. Do guests have to wear a face covering in shared sleeping accommodation – such as a dormitory room in a hostel?
A. No, this is not required as the sleeping accommodation would only be accessible to those who are occupying the dormitory or bedroom.
Q. Do guests have to wear a face covering in a hotel room or suite?
A. No, as this space would only be accessible to those occupying the bedroom or suite.
Q. Do guests have to wear a face covering in a communal space (toilets, lounges, kitchens or dining spaces) within a hotel, hostel, guest house or B&B?
A: Yes, if members of the general public (non-guests) have access then they would be required to do so, unless eating or drinking. Accommodation providers with staff on-site (for example hotels, hostels etc.) also have discretion to recommend the use of face coverings in communal areas where members of the public (non-guests) do not have access (for example, lounge areas, kitchens, bathrooms). This may be advisable in busy or crowded spaces where guests congregate outside of shared bedrooms and dormitories.