We're now in step 4...
We appreciate that although the Government have allowed businesses more freedom to relax Covid-19 restrictions, many local businesses have spoken to us to voice their concerns regarding this, especially as there are currently increasing rates of infection nationally and locally. We have also heard from members of the public who feel more comfortable entering business that have mitigations in place, as they personally wish to continue to adhere to social distancing and wearing of face coverings. Primarily, we hope that all members of our community, be it business owners, employees and the public’s views and feelings are respected as we move in to unknown times. Businesses still have a legal duty to manage risks to those affected by their business. The way to do this is to review your risk assessment now, in line with any changes to your business. This is both in terms of your operations as well as the physical layout of your business, and you need to take reasonable steps to mitigate the risks you identify. For example, you may wish to keep the screens around your tills in place, you may wish to encourage staff to wear face coverings if possible.
It would be good practice to review the signage that you have in your business to make sure that it reflects your expectations as well as allowing clarity for your customers. Businesses are encouraged to continue displaying QR codes for customers wishing to check in using the NHS COVID-19 app, or to continue collecting customer contact details to support NHS Test and Trace, however this is no longer a legal requirement. To support businesses through this next phase, the ‘Working Safely during coronavirus’ guidance will continue to provide advice, which does get regular updates, on sensible precautions employers can take to manage risk and support their staff and customers. See the links to other useful guidance:
Step 4 overview
Coronavirus: how to stay safe and help prevent the spread
Ventilation and air conditioning during the coronavirus pandemic
Test and Trace and self isolation
There have been many questions regarding the Government’s Test and Trace Programme. Please see below for some facts as of July 19th:
It is not a legal requirement to have the Test and Trace APP or to follow the isolation guidance if you are alerted, or ‘pinged’ on it. However, if you are phoned by Test and Trace or have tested positive for Covid yourself, then you are legally required to self isolate. Your isolation period includes the day your symptoms started (or the day your test was taken if you do not have symptoms), and the next 10 full days. We would recommend that you do have the APP and follow the advice as this is one very important way to reduce the spread of the virus. At present, if you are ‘pinged’ and then have a negative resulting PCR test, you are still expected to self isolate.
The self-isolation guidance changes soon. From 16th August, if you’re fully vaccinated or under 18, you will not need to self-isolate following close contact with someone who has COVID-19. You’ll still need to take a PCR test and self-isolate if it’s positive.
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 How to manage Covid outbreaks
Recently, we have seen an increase in the number of workplace Covid outbreaks and the number of staff within food businesses that need to self-isolate. If your staff have Covid symptoms or have been contacted by Track and Trace and told to self-isolate, this Gov.uk guidance explains what to do. If you identify a Covid outbreak in your workplace, contact the Public Health England for advice and they will send you a Workplace Resource document that will help you manage the outbreak. This document is updated frequently and is not available on their website. Our Health Protection team can also be contacted for advice if you have difficulties in contacting the PHE.
What is meant by a ‘contact’
A ‘contact’ is a person who has been close to someone who has tested positive for COVID-19 anytime from 2 days before the person was symptomatic up to 10 days from onset of symptoms (this is when they are infectious to others). In the absence of symptoms, you go from the date the test was taken. For example, a contact can be:
- anyone who lives in the same household as another person who has COVID-19 symptoms or has tested positive for COVID-19
- anyone who has had any of the following types of contact with someone who has tested positive for COVID-19:
- face-to-face contact including being coughed on or having a face-to-face conversation within one metre
- been within one metre for one minute or longer without face-to-face contact
- been within 2 metres of someone for more than 15 minutes (either as a one-off contact, or added up together over one day)
- travelled in the same vehicle or a plane
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 CDC Coronavirus newsletter
If you haven't done so already, we would recommend that you sign up to the Council's newsletter where you can find useful updates on Coronavirus. In the recent edition, you may be interested in reading about financial help and support for your business, new NHS Covid Pass Verifier App to support businesses using Covid Pass or recently launched hospitality sector strategy to support reopening, recovery and resilience.
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 NO to food wastage!
Food wastage is becoming an increasing problem worldwide. If you are worried about the amount of food being wasted within your business, there are ways to avoid it.
For food which is passed its use by date, Chichester District Council has a scheme which is unique in that 100% of the food waste is recycled. Using an Anaerobic Digestion facility the food waste materials are converted into renewable energy and bio-compost supporting your businesses commitment to recycling and the environment. They will also review your existing waste and recycling collections to help minimise both the financial and environmental impact of your waste.
Did you know that there are lots of options for you to recycle any useable, unwanted food with local charities that would benefit greatly from your kind donations?
UKHarvest will collect your unwanted food, completely free of charge, and give to those who need it most. This can be a one-off or on a regular basis.
Chichester Foodbank feeds local people in crisis. Although 90% of the donated food comes from the public, support from businesses would also be welcome.
Stonepillow is a charity that helps homeless. If you have donations of any fresh fruit, vegetables, dairy produce, meat, and fish theses will be gratefully received at their services which are open for donations daily until 8pm.
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Allergen changes
 A recent study found that only 64% of businesses selling foods prepacked for direct sale (PPDS) were aware of Natasha's Law which will require food businesses to provide full ingredient and allergen labelling on these foods. Although we wrote about the upcoming changes in previous edition of FoodBites, we want to remind you all that it's not long until the new legislation comes into force on 1st October 2021 and you still have time to prepare. The FSA's labelling guidance for PPDS food products has recently been updated and can be found here.
Need help with allergen training? The FSA offer free food allergy and intolerance e-training course for businesses that can be accessed here.
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Ladder safety
Did you know that in the food and drink industry, falls from height cause approximately 80 major injuries a year?
Many of the incidents are falls from ladders. Using ladders is something that many of us do without thinking too much about it – and this can lead to complacency, which then leads to an accident. Don’t get complacent and do take sensible precautions.
There is loads of information on the HSE website to help you – search “ladder safety”. In particular read “Safe use of ladders and step ladders INDG455”
And, if you need or want ladder training, use a reputable provider such as the Ladder Association.
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 In the news
Salmonella sickens up to 200 across EU and UK
Tesco fined for selling food past its 'use by' date
511 cases of Salmonellosis in the UK linked to consumption of frozen, raw, breaded chicken products. |
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 Training
Since the start of the pandemic, a total of 11.5 million people had been on furlough up to 31 March 2021. As these employees begin their return to work, gaps in training requirements will need to be evaluated and addressed to reflect new laws and processes that have emerged over the past year, particularly in cases where training may have expired, such as first aid at work. With the easing of COVID-19 restrictions and the return to business as usual, it is vital that you are fully prepared regarding safety precautions, risk management and best practice
Why is training necessary?
As a business, you need to ensure that staff training is regularly maintained and updated. It does not simply stop once a box has been ticked or a course has been completed. In order to keep business operations running smoothly, safely and in compliance with evolving legislation, it is important that employees at all levels receive necessary training. Training should be carried out on induction and regularly thereafter across a range of subjects.
It is essential you ensure that all your employees – whether they have been working through the pandemic, returning from furlough, or are a new hire – are aware of how they can keep themselves, their colleagues and your customers safe by investing in relevant training. Some of the courses that you should consider are: food safety in catering, food safety for manufacturing, allergen awareness, first aid, licensing law awareness or manual handling.
Visit our website for information on courses that we are currently running:
Level 2 Award in Food Safety for Catering
H&S training courses including Ladder Safety and Working at Height, Legionella Awareness, Manual Handling, Accident Management and Investigation, Risk Assessment and Asbestos Awareness.
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