Lockdown is lifted tomorrow! What's the Impact for Employers?

 

When England’s lockdown is lifted tomorrow, a new, more stringent regional ‘tier’ system will be introduced that will bring in different levels of restrictions that are designed to prevent the spread of Covid-19 based on the infection rate in different parts of the country.

While tighter than the previous tiered system, it should allow many businesses to re-open ahead of the festive season.

There are three tiers for local restrictions:

• Tier 1: Medium

• Tier 2: High

• Tier 3: Very High

Employers can use the gov.uk postcode checker to check which restrictions apply to them.

Decisions on tiers are made based on public health recommendations.

Vaishali Thakerar, Head of Employment, Lawson-West Solicitors, Leicester 

Vaishali Thakerar has looked at some of the questions that you may have:

Can employees travel between the different tiers?

If an employee lives in an area under tighter restrictions than the area they work in, they are able to travel for work or education purposes, as well as for several other essential reasons including medical treatment or because of caring responsibilities.

Should employees continue to work from home?

The Government guidance to work from home if you can remains in place. If employees cannot work from home they should continue to travel to their workplace if employers have completed risk assessments and made the workplace Covid secure.

Are employees able to travel overseas?

Employees may travel abroad for work or leisure purposes, but must follow any quarantine restrictions in place upon their return. Requirements for each destination can be found via the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office website and the travel corridors list.

Is there a limit on the number of staff who can work?

Where work is being carried out, including charitable or volunteer work, the ‘rule of six’ gathering limit does not apply. However, workplaces must adhere to social distancing guidelines in order to remain Covid-secure.

Can you still furlough employees?

The Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme remains in place until 31 March 2021 and any employer that wishes to put some or all of its staff on furlough can do so and continue to claim 80% of their wages back from the government. A furlough agreement is needed for all staff who are furloughed.

Contact Us, if you are unsure how to manage employees who live or work in different tiers, to question if you have sufficient health and safety measures in place, to furlough employees, or if you need additional employment law advice at this time due to coronavirus, you can get in touch here. We're here to help.

 

See related articles: 

Furlough scheme extended to 31 March 2021 & Job Retention Bonus is scrapped! [5 Nov]

How does the extended Furlough scheme work?[BBC News, 5 Nov 2020]

Second Lockdown - What employers need to know [3 Nov 2020]

BBC News Announcement [5 Nov 2020] 

Financial Support for Your Business - see the Government's Online Calculator

Job Retention Bonus - the original scheme, now scrapped

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