ADVICE
COVID-19
What should you do if someone at your business tests positive for coronavirus? Rebecca Chaplin examines the rules and guidance governing the responsibility of employers and employees.
D
ealerships went to great lengths to prepare for reopening after the lockdown and to prevent the spread of coronavirus – but are they fully aware of what steps they’ll need to take should an employee have symptoms or even test positive? Car Dealer reported that Pentland Land Rover Perth had to close because three workers tested positive for the virus, despite significant efforts to prevent the spread. If someone at your car dealership is showing symptoms, knowing what to do next can be confusing. You need to be familiar with what steps are your responsibility and what role the government will play. Understanding these rules and guidance will also help you understand how to prevent losing all of your workforce for potentially 14 days. The best way to avoid this is still to follow the social distancing guidelines, maintain good hygiene and ensure close contact is limited between employees – but what should you do if someone tests positive who has visited or works in your dealership?
What should I do if an employee starts to develop Covid-19 symptoms?
If an employee develops symptoms, they should order a test as soon as possible. This can either be delivered to their house or they can book a drive-through appointment. As soon as they’ve ordered the test, they’ll be asked to tell NHS Test and Trace about anyone they’ve been in close contact with.
Who will have to self-isolate apart from that employee?
Close contact doesn’t necessarily mean the entire dealership. If you’ve been able to practise social distancing and keep workers apart as much as possible, they won’t be classed as ‘close contact’. It only means if they’ve had face-to-face contact within one metre – including being coughed on, had skin-to-skin physical contact or contact within one metre for one minute – or have been within two metres for 15 minutes of someone who has tested positive, or 56 | CarDealerMag.co.uk
Employers should help their staff self-isolate if they show symptoms Information here is correct at the time of publication but in the current climate may change at any time. For the latest updates, visit our website at cardealermagazine.co.uk and gov.uk/coronavirus
