COVID Update 29 - IMPORTANT - Christmas and New Year Guidance and Working Arrangements COVID-19 Update 29IMPORTANT - Christmas and New Year Guidance and Working ArrangementsIntroduction I did not expect to be issuing communications again prior to Christmas. Yesterday’s new announcements by the government regarding Christmas restrictions and the new variant of COVID-19 mean that, sadly, many of us will now have to change our plans for celebrating Christmas. Whilst Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire are Tier 3 areas, it is critically important that staff comply with the guidance that has been issued by the government. This is so that you, your families, your colleagues and service users who you may work with are kept as safe as possible over and after the Festive period. The risks following social mixing are not limited to Christmas Day itself and the impact of any transmission of COVID-19 will not be seen immediately. Staff should therefore be extremely cautious over the entire Christmas period and continue to be cautious into the New Year. To make it easy for staff to understand the guidance relating to Christmas bubbles, I outline the guidance below. You can only form a Christmas bubble if you do not live in a Tier 4 area. If you are permitted to form a Christmas bubble and choose to do so:
I wish to reiterate that all staff should continue to only attend work in person over the Christmas and New Year period if work cannot be undertaken from home. This is particularly important if you have chosen to form a Christmas bubble with others. I am reiterating this because we must limit the potential for any additional spread of COVID-19 following the formation of Christmas bubbles. This will not only protect those of you who do not need to attend work in person, but crucially will also protect staff who must attend work in person, by limiting the number of other staff they may come into contact with. I hope you all have a very happy and safe Christmas. With best wishes, Jonathan |