Government updates guidance for close contact services ahead of re-opening

The government has released updated Covid-secure guidelines for English close contact services including beauty, hair and nail salons re-opening for business on 2 December. 

The guidance includes a number of updated priority actions surrounding Risk Assessments, better supporting the NHS Test and Trace scheme and face coverings.

From 2 December businesses must ask each individual visiting their premises to provide their contact details to assist NHS Test and Trace.  

They must have a system in place to collect that information, including a system for individuals who do not have a smartphone or do not want to use the NHS COVID-19  app.​

“Any business that is found not to be compliant with these regulations will be subject to financial penalties,” the guidance states.

There is also new guidance on Keeping Clients and Visitors Safe and new advice from the Health and Safety Executive on ventilation, which it says can be used as a control measure to reduce the risk of transmission of COVID-19.

Guidance on personal protective equipment (PPE) for staff has also been simplified, with new advice on how to put on, wear and remove a Type II face mask safely added.

There is also updated guidance on client facemasks.

While businesses are not required to supply face-coverings for clients, they must remind their clients to wear them when required. 

Businesses should also advise their clients on how to apply and remove their face-covering safely, to avoid touching their face or face covering and to change their face-covering it becomes damp, the guidance states.

Guidance on Covid-19 outbreaks in the workplace has also been updated.

Risk Assessments must include an up-to-date plan for the event of an outbreak and the plan should nominate a single point of contact who would be responsible for contacting local Public Health teams. 

Businesses which record more than five cases of COVID-19 within 14 days should contact their local Public Health England (PHE) health protection team to report it.

All employment records must be kept up to date in order to help PHE contact symptomatic staff and their contacts, in the event that it declares an outbreak.

The full updated guidance for close contact services can be found here.