Coronavirus (COVID-19) – information for suppliers

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Lifting of legal restrictions

Most legal restrictions relating to COVID-19, including social distancing and the mandatory use of face coverings, were lifted on 19 July 2021.

This means that the Construction Leadership Council's (CLC) Site Operating Procedures (SOP) and Site/Branch Operating Procedures (SOP/BOP) no longer represent legal guidance, but will remain as reference documents to be implemented as and when beneficial. Firms are legally required to undertake a risk assessment including responsibility for taking account of the risks posed by COVID-19 to the workforce.

Please ensure that your teams have the maximum possible protection aligned to both the latest government advice and the Construction Leadership Council’s advice regarding Site Operating Procedures and that you’re minimising the continued risk of spreading coronavirus so that we can continue to operate safely while fully supporting our people.

Summary of the key changes

Face coverings

  • The Government expects and recommends face coverings to be worn in crowded and enclosed spaces when mixing with people you don’t normally meet.
  • As such, while not legally required, the CLC’s position is that where workers are not required to wear respiratory protective equipment, but their workplace is crowded and enclosed or they come into contact with others they don’t normally meet, then their employer should make face coverings available and it’s expected and recommended that they be worn.

Social distancing

  • Businesses may choose, or be asked, to maintain elements of social distancing. If so, the SOP/BOP remain relevant and should be followed to provide a consistent and reasonable approach.
  • The CLC further advises changes to social distancing measures to be discussed with the workforce.

Self-isolation

  • The requirement for close contacts of those who have tested positive for COVID-19 to self-isolate remains until 16 August 2021.
  • From then on, close contacts will not have to self-isolate if they have received both doses of vaccine or are under 18. They will be advised to get a PCR test and if positive, will need to self-isolate for 10 days.

Read the CLC's full statement on the lifting of restrictions.

For any questions about these updates, business challenges or ideas that you’d like to share with us, get in touch at Corona.Information@highwaysengland.co.uk or through your normal point of contact at National Highways.

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