As part of an unprecedented lockdown, the government has announced that people should only leave their homes to travel to work ‘where it is absolutely necessary’ and they cannot work from home, or if they are classed as a ‘key worker’.
But what is classed as ‘absolutely necessary’ and who is a ‘key worker’?
Guidance to Essential Working
On 23 March, the government stepped up measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19 and save lives. All non-essential businesses, shops and public venues were told to close.
All other businesses and workplaces do not have to close, as it is important for business to carry on. However, employers have been told to take every step to facilitate their employees working from home wherever possible. Where working from home is not possible, people can still travel for work purposes, providing they are not showing coronavirus symptoms or they, or anyone in their family, is self-isolating. Employers should ensure that employees follow public health guidelines including, where possible, maintaining a two-metre distance from others and washing their hands at regular intervals.
Key Workers
The government has also identified a number of key workers whose children can still go to school so they can continue to work. Key workers are people whose jobs are vital to public health and safety during the coronavirus lockdown. As their work is considered critical for the response to the pandemic, the government is keen to ensure that they are able to carry out their jobs with as little restriction as possible, which means being able to put their children in school and use necessary transport links.
The list of key workers has been separated into eight categories, including:
Health and Social Care
This includes but is not limited to doctors, nurses, midwives, paramedics, social workers, care workers and other frontline health and social care staff including volunteers.
Education and Childcare
This includes some support and teaching staff, social workers and specialist education professionals.
Key Public Services
This includes those essential to the running of the justice system, religious staff, charities, and public service journalists and broadcasters.
Local and National Government
This only includes those administrative occupations essential to the effective delivery of the COVID-19 response, or delivering essential public services, such as the payment of benefits.
Food and Other Necessary Goods
This includes those involved in food production, processing, distribution, sale and delivery.
Public Safety and National Security
This includes police, armed forces personnel, firefighters, National Crime Agency staff, prison and probation staff and other national security roles.
Transport
This includes those who will keep the air, water, road and rail passenger and freight transport modes operating.
Utilities, Communication and Financial Services
This includes staff needed for essential financial services provision (such as banks), information technology, chemicals and telecommunications.
If workers think they fall within the critical categories above, they should confirm with their employer, based on their business continuity arrangements, whether their specific role is necessary and essential.
These measures are a vital part of the government’s efforts to reduce the rate of transmission of coronavirus and are constantly under review.