It was announced yesterday that the Government’s approach to COVID-19 was shifting away from the “Stay at Home” policy to “Stay Alert”.

What are the changes? | Rosenblatt’s Crime Team

Step One

Some of the key changes that form “step one” (of three steps) in force from Wednesday 13th May are as follows:

Work

  1. All workers who cannot work from home should travel to work if their workplace is open. The only exceptions to this are workplaces such as hospitality and non-essential retail which during the first step the Government is requiring to remain closed;
  2. As soon as practicable, workplaces should follow the new “COVID-19 Secure” guidelines (which will be published this week).

Travel

  1. When travelling everybody (including critical workers) should continue to avoid public transport wherever possible;
  2. If they can, people should instead choose to cycle, walk or drive, to minimise the number of people with whom they come into close contact.

Face-coverings

  1. The Government is now advising that people should aim to wear a face-covering in enclosed spaces where social distancing is not always possible, for example on public transport or in some shops.

Public spaces

  1. People can now spend time outdoors and meet with one other person from outside your household (continued compliance with social distancing guidelines to remain two metres (6ft) away from people outside your household);
  2. People can now spend time outdoors (in order to exercise or rest) with one other person from outside your household (continued compliance with social distancing guidelines to remain two metres (6ft) away from people outside your household).  The prohibition remains that people cannot leave home to visit friends and family in their homes.
  3. People may exercise outside as many times each day as they wish;
  4. People may drive to outdoor open spaces, irrespective of distance (subject to guidance or regulations in different parts of the UK).

International travel

  1. The government will require all international arrivals not on a short list of exemptions to self-isolate in their accommodation for fourteen days on arrival into the UK [the international travel measures will not come into force on 13th May, but will be introduced as soon as possible].

The Next Steps | Rosenblatt’s Crime Team Explains

Subject to the success of those measures introduced in step one, the following measures will form part of steps two and three:

Step Two

  1. A phased return for early years settings and schools (schools should prepare to begin to open for more children from 1st June);
  2. Opening non-essential retail (subject to those retailers being able to follow the new COVID-19 Secure guidelines);
  3. Permitting cultural and sporting events to take place behind close-doors
  4. Re-opening more local public transport in urban areas, subject to strict measures;
  5. Consideration of “household bubbles” to allow people to expand their household group to include one other household.

Step Three

It is envisaged this step will be no earlier than 4th July.

  1. Open at least some of the remaining businesses and premises that have been required to close, including hairdressers, restaurants, pubs and cinemas (they should meet COVID-19 Secure guidelines).

Enforcement

The Government is examining more stringent enforcement measures for non-compliance and will impose higher fines to reflect the increased risk to others of breaking the rules as people are returning to work and school.

Rosenblatt can help

Rosenblatt has a wealth of experience in criminal law and is uniquely placed to support client’s crime needs during these unprecedented times, consistently ensuring a familiarity with the ever-changing Government guidance on COVID-19.

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