The 4th July was not only celebrated by Americans this year, but also by many individuals across the UK as this observed the first day of the UK starting to return to some form of the pre-COVID norm. This date, as I’m sure many of will remember, marked the re-opening of many pubs and restaurants and the opportunity for us all to start thinking about becoming more social again.
Of course, I use the word ‘norm’ very loosely as there is still is much uncertainty about how life will look in the future but the ability to start socialising again outside of the home, has brought some sense of normality to people.
I wanted to use this week’s Wellbeing Wednesday to provide a brief update of some recent changes as it’s not always easy to keep track of the easing of restrictions. I also thought it would be useful to remind people that whilst this is welcoming for many of us, we still of course need to maintain social distancing and adhere to the latest Government guidelines.
Face coverings
The evidence suggests that face coverings can help us protect each other and reduce the spread of the virus from someone who is suffering from coronavirus, but not showing symptoms. That is why it is important to wear a face covering on public transport and it is required by law. It is now also mandatory in shops, supermarkets, indoor shopping centres, banks, building societies, post offices, and indoor transport hubs. To protect yourself, you should also continue to follow social distancing measures and isolation guidance and wash your hands regularly.
If you do not wear a face covering, you will be breaking the law and could be fined £100, or £50 if you pay the fine within 14 days. The Government has published guidance for those making face coverings at home, to help illustrate the process.
Please be aware however, that some people are exempt and do not have to wear a face covering for health, age or equality reasons so try not to judge others for not wearing a face covering as this can cause them undue stress.
Pubs and restaurants
My experience of this so far has been very different. There seem to be few places we can just ‘pop in’ and that the whole experience is very different to what we have before. Decisions about where to book and menu selections, all need to be made up front, but this is all for good reason as it ensures businesses can start to run again and we can start to see other people whilst still meeting social distancing guidelines. My advice is always to research ahead and make sure you are aware of the restaurant’s requirements - we’ve waiting such a long time to go, why risk being turned away because we have not followed the requirements?
The Government are also launching the Eat Out to Help Out Scheme next week which you can use:
- to get 50% off your food and non-alcoholic drinks up to a total value of £10 per person if you eat or drink in
- every Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday between 3 August and 31 August
- as many times as you like
You don’t need a voucher to use the scheme and you can use it at the same time as other offers and discounts. There is no minimum spend. Check out which chain restaurants and restaurants near you have registered to the scheme.
Days out
Whilst many of us have had to cancel our holiday plans this year, there are still many places we can go to relax, wind down and just enjoy our (hopefully) great British summer. Whilst time has slowed down for us on the outside, for many of us here, we have been moving at such a pace that we need to ensure we take sufficient breaks to re-start our bodies and minds to avoid burnout. Please do remember that you have annual leave to take and that there is no carry over this year, so we encourage you to take it and ensure you have a chance to recuperate.
You can still travel to outdoor areas, such as National Parks or beaches. It is advisable to check ahead to ensure the venue is open to visitors. You are also able to visit most indoor sites and attractions, although it is strongly advised that you only attend these places in groups of up to two households (anyone in your support bubble counts as one household).
Whilst many tourist attractions are free and have the ability to social distance, I have found that there are a few places I have looked to visit where I have been surprised that booking has been required. Therefore, I would suggest you check this before planning your visit as places are booking up fast due to limited capacity for social distancing.
Also, don’t forget that Challenge 4 Change are running summer activity days for families and children, you can find out more on the hub.
Travelling safe
Whilst we have already announced that many of you will continue to work from home for the remainder of the year, there will be some of us that need to travel to work or use public transport for days out. I have outlined below some of the government’s requirements whilst travelling;
- You should try to walk or cycle if you can
- Avoid busy routes where you can
- Whilst it may be difficult to maintain a 2-metre distance, in such case you should maintain a one metre distance
- Use a face covering
- Travel side by side where you can rather than face to face
- Touch as fewer surfaces as you can and wash hands regularly and use hand sanitiser
Please read the latest Government guidance for more information on this.
Going abroad
On 4 July, the travel advice changed, with exemptions for travelling to certain countries that no longer pose a high risk for British travellers. However, the global coronavirus pandemic is ongoing. No travel is risk-free and disruption is still possible. If you plan to travel abroad, I suggest that you:
- Read the coronavirus travel guidance to make sure you are prepared for your travel
- Read the travel advice for your destination, for information on current entry requirements and any local coronavirus measures that you will need to follow
- Sign up for email alerts for Travel Advice to ensure you are informed of any changes while you are travelling
It’s worth bearing in mind that if the Government have said you need to self-isolate after travelling abroad due to the location and you can continue to work in your role from home, you will continue to be paid by GC. However, if you are unable to work from home, then you can either use annual leave or take the time will be unpaid. We will continue to monitor the guidelines around this and amend the approach if required
I know many people who are having ‘staycations’ this year rather than travelling abroad so I suppose one positive we can take from this is that people are now taking this opportunity to explore our beautiful country which we so often take for granted. Wherever you may go on your holidays on for day trips during the summer, have fun and stay safe!