Roadmap out of Covid-19 lockdown restrictions
Roadmap out of Covid-19 lockdown restrictions
Foreign Travel
In light of recent Government announcements regarding restrictions continuing to ease across the UK, guidance related to foreign travel will change on Monday 17 May 2021.
The Government has introduced a red, amber, green list of countries for foreign travel purposes; this is continuously reviewed and can change at short notice. Please note with effect from 17 May 2021, all unnecessary travel to red or amber list countries or territories for leisure purposes, is strongly discouraged.
Colleagues should follow the latest Government guidance and travel advice which can be accessed here.
If colleagues choose to travel, they should do so knowing that they may need to quarantine when they return. Countries can change status and if quarantine is required as a result, colleagues will need to take either annual leave or unpaid leave on return.
When you are returning from outside the UK, please ensure you follow the rules for the country you are entering; click here for the rules for entering England, entering Scotland, entering Wales or entering Northern Ireland.
Lateral Flow Device Rapid Testing
A reminder that testing is now available for people without Coronavirus symptoms. Tests can be accessed in a number of ways:
- The Royal Mail Group National Workforce Testing Programme commenced on 10 May. All workers are encouraged to participate in Lateral Flow Device Testing. Tests will be offered twice weekly, those opting to take part will be provided with the test kits at their workplace for their convenience and support, enabling them to test in the privacy and comfort of their own homes. This is voluntary.
- Alternatively, kits can be obtained through an on-line home ordering and delivery service, by ‘Pharmacy-Collect’, collection from test centre sites, by community testing offered by all local authorities and through testing at on-site at schools and colleges.
Click here for more information or visit the GOV.UK website.
Roadmap out of Covid-19 lockdown restrictions
The government have indicated that the nation is on track with its road map out of lockdown. On Monday 10 May it was announced the UK’s coronavirus alert level is being lowered from four to three on the advice of experts. The new level means although the virus is in general circulation, transmission is no longer high or rising exponentially.
In England the government announced a further relaxation of rules to take place from the 17 May. These include:
- People can meet in groups of up to 30 outdoors
- Six people or two households can meet indoors, with overnight stays allowed
- Up to 30 people can attend weddings, receptions and other life events
- Number of people who can attend a funeral no longer capped, but determined by the size of venue
- Up to 30 allowed to attend a support group or parent-and-child group (not counting under-fives)
- Care home residents allowed up to five named visitors, and more freedom for visits out of the home
In Scotland most of the mainland is moving to level two restrictions (with the “very likely” exception of Moray, where infection rates remain high). This means in Scotland that from 17 May:
- Up to six people from no more than three households can socialise indoors in a private home
- Social distancing will be dropped between families and friends in homes and private gardens
- Up to six people from three households can meet in an indoor public place (such as a bar)
- Up to eight people from eight households can meet anywhere outdoors
- Children under the age of 12 are not included in the total number of people – but they are counted in the limit on the number of different households
- Hospitality venues can serve alcohol indoors until 22:30
- Entertainment venues such as cinemas, theatres and bingo halls will reopen
- Outdoor adult contact sport and indoor group exercise to restart
- Up to 100 allowed to attend indoor events, 250 will be able to attend outdoor events, or 500 with seating
- International travel to be allowed, in line with rules in England
Scottish Islands – apart from Skye – will be moving to level one restrictions on 17 May (it’s hoped the rest of Scotland will follow on 7 June). These are:
- Up to eight people from three households to socialise indoors in a public place
- A maximum of 12 people from 12 households to socialise outdoors
- Hospitality can remain open until 23:00
- A maximum of 100 people at weddings, funerals and other life events
What’s the current situation?
- Cafes, pubs and restaurants can open indoors – until 20:00 each day, no alcohol can be served, groups of up to six people from two households
- Indoor attractions like galleries and museums are open
- Non-essential informal childcare can operate
- Non-essential work can take place inside people’s homes
- Up to 50 people who can attend funerals and wakes
The current Social distancing regional variation guidelines are detailed below for:
We continue to monitor government guidance.
Royal Mail Health & Safety policy on self-isolation, mask wearing, social distancing and hygiene remain in place and must be followed.
Thank you for your continued support, please continue to do all you can to keep yourself and others safe.