Can staff travel safely on business?
Keeping up with the rules . As cases increase coronavirus rules are changing on a regular basis. To make matters more complicated, many of these rules apply on a local or regional basis. So does this mean that you should forget the idea of staff travelling around the country until things settle down?
General guide. The first point to remember is that unnecessary work travel should be avoided. Consider if another means of communication can be used to achieve the objective, or whether it might be possible to delay the trip by a few months. However, if it’s vital that your staff travel, you must make sure that you take appropriate steps to protect their health and safety.
Warning. When justifying the trip, you should consider how you would cope if one of the party is taken ill with suspected coronavirus. This could be a significant headache for you with the individual potentially trapped at a hotel at your expense. Plus, it would mean that anyone they have come into contact with would have to isolate.
Tip. Check for local rules shortly before travel to ensure all elements of the trip can go ahead, e.g. a “circuit-breaker” lockdown at short notice would certainly put a spanner in the works. Also ensure that staff are fully briefed before they go.
Tip. The travel element of the plan will need special consideration: (1) none of the party should travel if they exhibit any coronavirus symptoms or if they have been instructed to self-isolate; (2) you must minimise the number of people travelling together in any one vehicle, and depending on local tier rules you might not be able to allow this at all. If it is permitted, there are various recommendations to follow such as good ventilation, sitting well apart, and good hygiene; (3) face coverings are required for public transport and a good idea at any time where social distancing is difficult to maintain (see The next step ).
For guidance on travel during the coronavirus pandemic, visit https://www.tips-and-advice.co.uk , Download Zone, year 19, issue 05.
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