On Monday, the Government set out its much-anticipated Roadmap for the easing of lockdown. While this included understandable caveats and review points, it does provide greater clarity of thinking, as well as a positive trajectory at a sensible pace. It builds on the success of the vaccination roll out and downward trend in infection rates and hospitalisation. The phrase ‘cautiously optimistic’ seems to fit the general mood and these overall changes provide further confirmation of the distinct possibility of a much better ‘living with Covid’ world. Without wanting to be glass half-empty, we need to remember that whilst the Government’s Routemap is a currently plausible exit trajectory, we also need to remember that Covid is still an evolving disease and we need to anticipate alternatives and all maintain our approach to managing the risks of infection.
Government guidance on working from home where possible remains unchanged, currently until 21 June. It is possible this could move forward or later subject to the announced Review on social distancing which should report ahead of this deadline. Therefore, there are no immediate Group-wide operational changes and we will maintain all the Covid-secure practices which we have all worked hard to put in place. This includes continuing to work from home where possible and where not possible, adopting Covid-secure working practices and environment. All our current guidelines can be accessed here, this also includes our approach to visiting clients in the workplace (page 12 onwards) and guidance on international travel.
In the meantime, there are a few key points in relation to the Roadmap and its relevance to GC activities.
8 March - Schools return
I know this will be welcome news for many of you who have been juggling work and home-schooling commitments since the new year. While there is still a way to go until schooling returns to its pre-Covid norms, I hope this will bring a much-needed change for many colleagues.
GC also delivers a range of Education activity and the Department for Education has confirmed they expect every 16 to 19 student (or 19 to 25 with an Education Health Care Plan) to attend their Further Education provider in person, where applicable. Adult learners are also permitted to return to the ‘classroom’.
Therefore, there will be a further extension of our in-person education provision and use of facilities beyond our current focus on vulnerable learners and practical considerations for those colleagues working across Education and Skills and Employment. The updated guidance refers to (although does not define) a limited extended period of face covering indoors including classrooms, unless social distancing can be maintained. Face coverings will also continue to be worn in communal areas. Capacity in classrooms and workshops etc. can be increased by reducing the 2m social distancing rule to 1m alongside wearing face coverings in classes and workshops, increased ventilation and good hygiene. These are Covid-secure measures we have had in place throughout.
As with most things Covid, the detail is yet to emerge and guidance is likely to evolve. Jon-Paul Rimington and Michelle Leeson will provide further detail to their respective business areas.
17 May – Smaller corporate events can take place
Whilst the Roadmap sets out 21 June as the potential return to workplace date (and subject to the Social Distancing Review) it does lay out that one-to-many business events such as workshops, seminars and conferences can take place after 17 May. The scale of events allowed will depend on whether they are taking place indoors or outdoors. Indoor events will be permitted for up to 1000 attendees or 50% of the venue’s capacity (whichever is lower), and up to 4000 attendees or 50% of the venue’s capacity (whichever is lower) for outdoor events. This increases to 10,000 (or 25% of venue capacity) for large outdoor seated venues where attendees can spread out.
Although this is subject to change at the next review point on 12 April, we will now start discussions with colleagues, commissioners, and clients on how to reintroduce these activities in a Covid secure manner and utilising all lessons learnt from moving to online only delivery.
21 June – Lockdown restrictions lift
The Roadmap sets out the Government’s intension to be in a position to remove all legal limits on social contact by 21 June. This may change and there will be four Reviews undertaken before this date that could both influence this timing as well as establish on-going Covid-secure measures we might need to continue after this date and I anticipate for some time (e.g. social distaining and hygiene measures).
Testing and Vaccination
Testing and Vaccination are two key pillars on which this Roadmap are built and are vital to moving us to that better ‘living with Covid’ place and after so many other issues it is great to see the speed and coverage of the vaccination programme. It is important for us all that everyone who is eligible and medically able to take up the offer of a vaccine when offered, does so to protect themselves, loved ones and the wider community. We will shortly be introducing an approach to understanding vaccination take-up amongst colleagues so that we continue with our individual risk-based approach to providing a Covid secure workplace.
On testing we have already introduced an approach to enabling lateral flow Covid testing for colleagues coming into our training centres. Whilst recognising that this type of testing does have its limitations it does offer an enhancement to managing Covid infection risk and the process does appear to be working well. As the number of colleagues entering our workplaces increase, we will be looking to similarly extend the use of these tests and again will introduce a monitoring approach to manage risks to colleagues and students/clients. Given the specific nature of its application, further communication on this approach will take place within individual business areas. This approach will of course be dependent on the Government’s overall approach to mass testing and is therefore again likely to evolve.
Colleague Input to Wider Return to Workplace
As we start to look ahead at a more widespread return to our workplaces, I would like to update you on our approach to colleague input into this. Key input will be via a specific Staff Survey mentioned in the Webinar in December and to be launched in March. This will be followed with focus sessions and supported by a refreshed Staff Hub and regular communication. Please do look out for the survey when it hits your inbox next month, we would like as much engagement from across GC as possible to help us shape our future ways of working.
Finally
If this pandemic has taught us anything, it’s that things are highly fluid, and changes will potentially emerge to this Roadmap so we need to continue to anticipate different exit trajectories and maintain our personal and business approaches to managing the risks of infection. We will of course be closely monitoring the Roadmap, announced Reviews and the Government’s evolving thinking and will provide further updates as appropriate to individual business areas as well as Group wide.
That said, I’d like to end on the positive note I started with by welcoming this week’s Roadmap and the prospect of brighter days ahead especially as the daylight extends and our children can return to much needed schooling and, even more, meeting with their friends.
As always, a thank you for all your efforts in helping the Group positively get through this period and I wish you and your families well.