Coronavirus: UK lockdown and new guidance for staff

To our wonderful care team, thank you for your continued support and professionalism. We still have no reports of any COVID-19 symptoms across our work force nor any of our clients.

New guidance: UK lockdown

Last night the government issued a lockdown across the UK. This new guidance states that people should only leave their homes for the following:

Shopping for basic necessities such as food and medicine. Shopping trips should be as infrequent as possible
One form of exercise a day such as a run, walk, or cycle. This should be done alone or only with people you live with
Any medical need, or to provide care or help a vulnerable person. This includes moving children under the age of 18 between their parents’ homes, where applicable. Key workers or those with children identified as vulnerable can continue to take their children to school
Travelling to and from work, but only where work absolutely cannot be done from home.

Even when following the above guidance, people should minimise the amount of time spent out of their homes and should keep two metres away from people they do not live with.

The government is also stopping all social events, including weddings, baptisms and other ceremonies. Funerals attended by immediate family members are allowed, however.

The guidelines above must be followed. You must stay at home unless you are working a shift or out for only the reasons listed above.

You must also:

Ensure clients are informed of the above information, if they are not already aware of it. Please also inform anyone else living in the household
Immediately report any client who goes out other than for any of the reasons above
Immediately report anyone visiting a client who is not in their household
Refuse to enter a property if there is anyone else there other than the client or someone living in that household
Refuse to take a client out. All social trips are now cancelled but the booked time can be used for companionship or to exercise around the client’s home address
Breaks for live-in carers should involve the following: the cover carer should set up in just one place in the home environment (i.e. the lounge). Where possible, the client should be monitored but activities with the client and movement around the property should be limited. Surfaces should be wiped, hands washed and anti-bac used regularly. Live-in carers should use their break to exercise or to take a break away from the property as per the guidance above.

Please continue to carry out the high standards of infection control as per our previous memos. We have posted all of these on our website and Facebook pages. You must also report any symptoms immediately so that we can replace you and so that you can self-isolate for 14 days.

We understand that buses are now limited. Please try to avoid travelling by public transport and instead, consider a lift from a member of your household or cycle. We are looking at anyone who is working away from their home address and we will do our best to change routes were necessary. If you are late due to travel, you are authorised to reduce the call durations to ensure that you can catch up on your day.

We are expecting more PPE today and are working out the best way to distribute this to you.

Thank you again for your dedication and hard work.