{"id":17788,"date":"2021-11-29T12:01:31","date_gmt":"2021-11-29T12:01:31","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.dlapiper.com\/beaware\/?p=17788"},"modified":"2021-11-30T14:21:56","modified_gmt":"2021-11-30T14:21:56","slug":"covid-19-government-implements-plan-b-lite-with-new-measures-which-impact-on-employers","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.dlapiper.com\/beaware\/covid-19-government-implements-plan-b-lite-with-new-measures-which-impact-on-employers\/","title":{"rendered":"COVID-19: Government implements Plan B-lite with new measures which impact on employers"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>In an unexpected turn of events, the government has announced that it will be bringing in new COVID-19 restrictions for England this week. The news follows significant concerns over the emergence of a new coronavirus variant. \u00a0The government has confirmed, however, that it will not yet be moving fully to its <a href=\"https:\/\/www.gov.uk\/government\/publications\/covid-19-response-autumn-and-winter-plan-2021\/covid-19-response-autumn-and-winter-plan-2021\">COVID-19 Plan B<\/a> \u2013 instead it is implementing a Plan B-Lite.<\/p>\n<p>This development may come as a surprise to employers given the government\u2019s insistence in recent weeks that there was insufficient cause to implement Plan B measures. However, it also demonstrates the speed with which the government is prepared to bring in new restrictions to respond to COVID-19 concerns. This means that employers need to continue to keep on the ball to ensure they can react immediately.<\/p>\n<p>The government has indicated that the measures will be reviewed in 3 weeks\u2019 time.<\/p>\n<p>Here is a summary of the key points:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>At this stage, the government is <strong>not <\/strong>recommending that there be a return to home-working for those who are able to do so.<\/li>\n<li><strong><u>From Sunday 28 November 2021<\/u><\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px\"><strong style=\"font-size: 16px\">Red list of countries extended<\/strong><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px\">The government has added once again to its red list of countries.\u00a0 Having only removed all countries from the red list on 1 November 2021, the government moved South Africa, Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Namibia and Zimbawe back onto the red list with effect from midday on 26 November 2021 (but with hotel-managed quarantine only required from 4 am on 28 November 2021). On 28 November 2021, the following countries were also moved onto the red list: Angola, Malawi, Mozambique and Zambia.<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px\">Travellers into the UK from a red list country, regardless of vaccination status, must now:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none\">\n<ul>\n<li>Take a COVID-19 test in the 3 day period before entry into the UK;<\/li>\n<li>Book a quarantine hotel package;<\/li>\n<li>Book 2 further COVID-19 tests;<\/li>\n<li>Complete a passenger locator form.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px\">Travel into the UK from a red list country is also only permitted if the traveller is a UK or Irish national or has residence rights in the UK.<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px\">There are exemptions from the requirement to quarantine in a hotel for <a href=\"https:\/\/www.gov.uk\/guidance\/exemptions-from-managed-quarantine-for-medical-and-compassionate-reasons\">medical reasons<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.gov.uk\/guidance\/exemptions-from-managed-quarantine-for-compassionate-reasons\">compassionate reasons<\/a>. A limited number of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.gov.uk\/government\/publications\/coronavirus-covid-19-travellers-exempt-from-uk-border-rules\/coronavirus-covid-19-travellers-exempt-from-uk-border-rules\">jobs also qualify for exemptions<\/a>.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong><u>From Monday 29 November 2021<\/u><\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px\"><strong>Face coverings in schools<\/strong><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px\">The government is now strongly recommending that staff, students and visitors wear face coverings in communal areas in education settings.<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px\"><strong>Booster vaccinations to be extended<\/strong><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px\">The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisations (JCVI) has recommended that booster jabs be extended to all adults over the age of 18. Until now, they were only available to certain high risk groups; those who live or work in care homes; frontline health and social care workers; and adults aged 40 or over. The JCVI has also recommended that the 6 month gap between second dose and booster dose is reduced to 3 months.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong><u>From 4 am on Tuesday 30 November 2021 <\/u><\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px\"><strong>Face coverings in shops and public transport<\/strong><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px\">Subject to limited exemptions, face coverings will once again be mandatory in certain settings including shops, banks, post offices, hairdressers, and on public transport. Importantly, however, at this stage they are not compulsory in hospitality venues.\u00a0 Full details of this measure are awaited.<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px\"><strong>Day 2 PCR tests regardless of vaccination status<\/strong><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px\">The government is reintroducing an obligation for travellers into England to take a day 2 PCR test, regardless of vaccination status (replacing the existing requirement to take a Lateral Flow Test). The PCR test must be purchased from a private provider.\u00a0 Importantly, travellers will also be required to self-isolate pending receipt of a negative result.\u00a0 A positive result will require the traveller to self-isolate for 10 days, as now.<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px\">Non-vaccinated travellers will still be required to take a pre-departure COVID-19 test in the 3 day period before entry into the UK, plus the day 2 PCR test. In addition, they must also still take a day 8 PCR test (but with the ability to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.gov.uk\/guidance\/coronavirus-covid-19-test-to-release-for-international-travel\">Test to Release<\/a> after 5 full days in the UK).<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px\"><strong>Close contacts of Omicron cases must self-isolate<\/strong><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px\">The government requires all close contacts of anyone who has tested positive for the Omicron variant to self-isolate for 10 days, regardless of vaccination status. Affected individuals will be contacted by NHS Test &amp; Trace.<\/p>\n<p><strong><u>Useful links<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.gov.uk\/government\/publications\/covid-19-response-autumn-and-winter-plan-2021\/covid-19-response-autumn-and-winter-plan-2021#contingency-planning\">COVID-19 response: Autumn and winter plan 2021<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.gov.uk\/government\/speeches\/pm-opening-statement-at-covid-19-press-conference-27-november-2021?utm_medium=email&amp;utm_campaign=govuk-notifications&amp;utm_source=23ee9e70-e77d-4cb1-9e61-1c586c5ef4be&amp;utm_content=immediately\">PM opening statement at COVID-19 press conference: 27 November 2021<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.gov.uk\/government\/news\/prime-minister-sets-out-new-measures-as-omicron-variant-identified-in-uk-27-november-2021?utm_medium=email&amp;utm_campaign=govuk-notifications&amp;utm_source=40b0191b-54f4-489b-aeda-62e7eab904a2&amp;utm_content=immediately\">PM sets out new measures as Omicron variant identified in UK: 27 November 2021<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/assets.publishing.service.gov.uk\/government\/uploads\/system\/uploads\/attachment_data\/file\/1036663\/Schools_guidance_update_for_Omnicron_-_29_Nov.pdf\">Schools COVID-19 operational guidance<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.gov.uk\/government\/publications\/face-coverings-when-to-wear-one-and-how-to-make-your-own\/face-coverings-when-to-wear-one-and-how-to-make-your-own\">Face coverings, when to wear one, exemptions and how to make your own<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nhs.uk\/conditions\/coronavirus-covid-19\/coronavirus-vaccination\/coronavirus-booster-vaccine\/\">COVID-19 booster vaccine<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.gov.uk\/government\/publications\/uk-vaccine-response-to-the-omicron-variant-jcvi-advice\/jcvi-advice-on-the-uk-vaccine-response-to-the-omicron-variant\">JCVI advice on the UK vaccine response to the Omicron variant<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.gov.uk\/guidance\/red-list-of-countries-and-territories?utm_medium=email&amp;utm_campaign=govuk-notifications&amp;utm_source=d5a811ff-f9e4-4dc9-ab01-d521e59879df&amp;utm_content=immediately\">Red list of countries and territories<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.gov.uk\/guidance\/exemptions-from-managed-quarantine-for-medical-and-compassionate-reasons\">Medical reasons for not staying in a quarantine hotel<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.gov.uk\/guidance\/exemptions-from-managed-quarantine-for-compassionate-reasons\">Exemptions from managed quarantine for compassionate reasons<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.gov.uk\/government\/publications\/coronavirus-covid-19-travellers-exempt-from-uk-border-rules\/coronavirus-covid-19-travellers-exempt-from-uk-border-rules\">COVID-19: Jobs that qualify for travel exemptions<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.gov.uk\/guidance\/travel-to-england-from-another-country-during-coronavirus-covid-19?utm_medium=email&amp;utm_campaign=govuk-notifications&amp;utm_source=902fd044-79cb-482d-97ee-194e5ff192a6&amp;utm_content=immediately\">Travel to England from another country during coronavirus<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.gov.uk\/guidance\/coronavirus-covid-19-test-to-release-for-international-travel\">COVID-19: Test to release for international travel<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a style=\"font-size: 16px;background-color: #ffffff\" href=\"https:\/\/www.gov.uk\/guidance\/how-to-quarantine-when-you-arrive-in-england?utm_medium=email&amp;utm_campaign=govuk-notifications&amp;utm_source=2d215534-4ebf-4d92-91e8-b3b574e5675a&amp;utm_content=immediately\">How to quarantine at home if you\u2019re not fully vaccinated<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>In an unexpected turn of events, the government has announced that it will be bringing in new COVID-19 restrictions for England this week. The news follows significant concerns over the emergence of a new coronavirus variant. \u00a0The government has confirmed, however, that it will not yet be moving fully to its COVID-19 Plan B \u2013 [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":50,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"site-sidebar-layout":"default","site-content-layout":"default","ast-site-content-layout":"default","site-content-style":"default","site-sidebar-style":"default","ast-global-header-display":"","ast-banner-title-visibility":"","ast-main-header-display":"","ast-hfb-above-header-display":"","ast-hfb-below-header-display":"","ast-hfb-mobile-header-display":"","site-post-title":"","ast-breadcrumbs-content":"","ast-featured-img":"","footer-sml-layout":"","theme-transparent-header-meta":"default","adv-header-id-meta":"","stick-header-meta":"","header-above-stick-meta":"","header-main-stick-meta":"","header-below-stick-meta":"","astra-migrate-meta-layouts":"default","ast-page-background-enabled":"default","ast-page-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"ast-content-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"footnotes":""},"categories":[9174,9175,3],"tags":[9121,9122,9177,9181,9183,9182,9179,9180],"class_list":["post-17788","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-coronavirus","category-covid-19","category-employment","tag-coronavirus","tag-covid-19","tag-face-coverings","tag-plan-b","tag-red-list","tag-travel-restrictions","tag-vaccination","tag-vaccines"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.dlapiper.com\/beaware\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/17788","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.dlapiper.com\/beaware\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.dlapiper.com\/beaware\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.dlapiper.com\/beaware\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/50"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.dlapiper.com\/beaware\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=17788"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.dlapiper.com\/beaware\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/17788\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.dlapiper.com\/beaware\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=17788"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.dlapiper.com\/beaware\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=17788"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.dlapiper.com\/beaware\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=17788"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}