The 'New Normal' We May Find Ourselves In Without Restrictions
After Boris Johnson's announcement that the ending to many of the coronavirus restrictions we have been living under is to go ahead as planned from July 19th, facilities managers, stadium and venue managers, businesses and workers have all had to consider how things will move forward to maintain a safe, secure and hygienic environment.
Face masks will no longer be legally required and distancing rules will be scrapped at the final stage of England's Covid lockdown roadmap, with the rule of six inside private homes removed and work-from-home guidance abolished as 16 months of on-off restrictions on daily life end.
Wearing face masks will become a matter of 'personal choice' and 'social responsibility', however, it is expected that some firms will insist upon both customers and staff still wearing face masks.
Businesses and individuals have been given the privilege of interpreting the changes for themselves. Some airlines have confirmed face masks will still be compulsory after July 19th, whereas some shops, pubs and hairdressers are altering policies. The World Health Organization still advises masks to continue to be mandatory on public transport, in shops and in crowded places.
The initial reaction from the major UK airlines has been unchanged. Ryanair, for instance, says masks will be mandatory, regardless of the departing destination. A spokesperson adds that this is in keeping with current guidance from the European Union Aviation Safety Agency and the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control. Whilst British Airways says it sees no reason yet to change its existing rules, requiring staff and customers to wear masks, but says that it keeps its policies under constant review. EasyJet and Virgin have echoed these sentiments by confirming, for the time being at least, passengers should continue to wear them. Jet2 have advised the passengers will strictly not be allowed to board their flight without a face mask, unless they have previously given a reason for not wearing one.
As regards public transport for workers getting to work and around within their daily lives, the Rail Delivery Group, the industry body which represents train companies, says that travelling by train is 'low risk' and 'well ventilated with air regularly refreshed either by air conditioning systems, or by doors and windows being opened', so they are happy to follow the 'science' provided by the government and leave it to individuals.
However, they did add that wearing a mask can help to protect other rail users.
However, the Unite union has said that dropping mask-wearing on public transport would be "gross negligence", with a spokesperson pointing to the number of deaths from Covid among bus drivers, saying 'Rates of infection are continuing to increase and not only does mask wearing reduce transmissions, it helps provide reassurance to drivers and to passengers who are nervous about using public transport.'
The hospitality industry will absolutely welcome the chance to get back to normal, with no doubt preferences differing from venue to venue. Some will likely feel a responsibility for staff to continue wearing masks, whilst preventing large queues forming in front of their staff, so table service and app ordering may continue. Whereas other venues will ensure they provide as much of a return to normal as possible, as the legislation allows for businesses to operate in the way their customers were previously accustomed.
In the retail industry in the main we would expect employers to want to protect staff and continue to reassure customers where possible, but obviously this is now much more difficult to ensure. The Shop workers union Usdaw has given its own views by urging the government not to lift Covid safety measures in shops. 'Retail staff are working with the public every day and are deeply worried about catching Covid-19,' the Usdaw general secretary Paddy Lillis stressed.
Whatever environment facilities are provided within, the FMs will look towards worker, visitor and customer safety first and foremost, to try and ensure a positive and welcoming experience within their roles as the duty holders.
