Working safely during coronavirus COVID-19

The government, in consultation with industry, has produced guidance to help ensure workplaces are as safe as possible.

The guidance provides a practical framework for employers to think about what they need to do to continue or restart operations – in a safe manner and in support to workers’ health and wellbeing during the COVID-19 pandemic.

These 14 guides cover a range of different types of work. Many businesses operate more than one type of workplace, such as an office, factory and fleet of vehicles. You may need to use more than one of these guides as you think through what you need to do to keep people safe. Priority actions are outlined at the top of each guide.

There is different guidance for:

• schools, further education and childcare providers
• weddings and civil partnership ceremonies and receptions and celebrations
• public transport operators

These 14 guides cover a range of different types of work which are defined as follows:

1. Close contact services Guidance for people who provide close contact services, including hairdressers, barbers, beauticians, tattooists, sports and massage therapists, dress fitters, tailors and fashion designers.
2. Construction and other outdoor work Guidance for people who work in or run outdoor working environments.
3. Factories, plants and warehouses Guidance for people who work in or run factories, plants and warehouses.
4. Heritage locations Guidance for people who work or volunteer in heritage locations.
5. Hotels and other guest accommodation Guidance for people who work in or run hotels and other guest accommodation
6. Labs and research facilities Guidance for people who work in or run indoor labs and research facilities and similar environments.
7. Offices and contact centres Guidance for people who work in or run offices, contact centres and similar indoor environments.
8. Other people's homes Guidance for people working in, visiting or delivering to other people's homes.
9. Performing arts Guidance for people who work in performing arts, including arts organisations, venue operators and participants.
10. Providers of grassroots sport and sport facilities Guidance for people who work in grassroots sport and sport facilities.
11. Restaurants, pubs, bars and takeaway services Guidance for people who work in or run restaurants, pubs, bars, cafes or takeaways.
12. Shops and branches Guidance for people who work in or run shops, branches, stores or similar environments.
13. Vehicles Guidance for people who work in or from vehicles, including couriers, mobile workers, lorry drivers, on-site transit and work vehicles, field forces and similar.
14. The visitor economy Guidance for people who work im hotels and guest accommodation, indoor and outdoor attractions, and business events and consumer shows.

All guides share almost the same content with slight sector/context-specific differences. This content provides overall detailed information on:

• Thinking about risk: all employers must carry out a COVID-19 risk assessment which must be shared with their employees and managed (addressed) immediately. 
• Who should go to work: how to protect people at higher risk, determine those who need to self-isolate and deal with people who have protected characteristics.
• Social distancing at work: guidance on coming to and leaving work, moving around, workplace and workstations, meetings, common areas, accidents, security and incidents.
• Managing customers: manage customers, contacts, visitors and contractors, provide and explain guidance so as to minimise the number of unnecessary visits and contact.    
• Cleaning workplace: measures before reopening, maintaining cleanliness, hygiene and sanitation and handling goods, merchandise and other materials.    
• PPE and face coverings: following the COVID 19 personal protective equipment (PPE) plan and the guide on COVID 19 cleaning in non-healthcare settings.    
• Managing workforce: shift patterns, change to how work is organized and working groups, avoiding unnecessary work travel, communications and training.    
• Inbound and outbound goods: to maintain social-distancing and avoid surface transmission when goods enter and leave the site.

Read the full guidance on the GOV.UK website.