As part of a range of new measures announced by the Prime Minister people should work from home where possible.
The new advice comes following that suggests the UK is approaching the “fast growth part of the upward curve”.
Again businesses will have to react to consider how best they can remain as productive as possible with staff either working from home or ill.
For some industries, such as manufacturing, it won’t be possible for many staff to work from home. In these circumstances companies will have to consider how best to continue operating but limiting unessential contact between people. This could involved working split shifts if possible to reduce the numbers in work at any one time.
The hospitality and leisure industry is likely to be badly hit as there was also advice that everyone should avoid gatherings and crowded places such as pubs, clubs and theatres.
The UK’s Chief Medical Officer, Prof. Chris Whitty, also gave new guidance for any household where someone starts to display symptoms (new persistant cough or temperature over 37.7C). Everyone in such a household must stay at home for 14 days.
For those most at risk from the effects of the disease, those over-70 years of age, with chronic underlying health issues and pregnant women, there is definite need to minimise their social contact.
By next weekend, it is likely that those with the most serious health conditions will need to be largely shielded from social contact for around 12 weeks.
