Employees that will hopefully be returning to the workplace, once the lockdown measures are gradually lifted, will have to adjust to a new reality of the use of physical shields to separate them from colleagues, personal protective equipment (PPE), and time limits on how long colleagues can be in close proximity.
The transport secretary, Grant Shapps has also outlined to the BBC plans for suggested one-way systems for commuters to avoid overwhelming the transport system, as well as the idea of staggering work time to avoid crushes during the morning rush-hour peak. He suggested that the government was considering measures on how to encourage workers to cycle or walk to work.
Trains, buses and transport interchanges could also be equipped with hand-sanitiser, as hand-washing remained more important than wearing face masks, he suggested.
In a round of broadcast interviews, Ben Wallace, the defence secretary, said there was a range of measures that could be used in workplaces where maintaining a two-metre distance between colleagues is not possible.
He gave an example to the BBC, that supermarket shoppers are not two metres away from anyone working at the checkout, but they are separated by a physical shield. “Potentially, shields or PPE is a way forward,” he said.
Wallace also suggested the “use of time” as another tool: “You could be closer than two metres but not for long,” he said.
He did confirm that the government is sourcing more face masks, but highlighted that they should be provided to frontline and key workers first, arguing they only make a marginal difference for the public at whole.
According to a draft plan seen by the BBC, other workplace measures including reduced hot-desking and staggered shift times.
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