Reporting an outbreak of Covid-19
Test and Trace guidance for employers
To facilitate the NHS Test and Trace service, you should encourage workers to heed any notifications to self-isolate and provide support to these individuals when in isolation.
Although this may seem disruptive for businesses, it is less disruptive than an outbreak of Covid-19 in the workplace will be, and far less disruptive than periods in lockdown.
If one or more of your employees/visitors to your site have symptoms of Covid-19 or have tested positive for Coronavirus you must immediately contact the Suffolk Covid-19 Coordinating Centre by emailing covid-19@suffolk.gov.uk and report the details.
In the event of an outbreak the Suffolk Public Health Team, with support from Public Health England and Environmental Health staff from East Suffolk Council, will:
- undertake a risk assessment of the situation which will be led by Public Health England colleagues
- facilitate public health advice and control measures through Public Health England
- where necessary, in discussion with Public Health England, establish a multi-agency incident management team to manage the outbreak
You should support workers who need to self-isolate, by paying sick pay or allowing them to use paid leave. You must not ask them to attend the workplace for any reason. Workers will have to isolate because they:
- have Coronavirus symptoms and are awaiting a test result
- have tested positive for Coronavirus
- are a member of the same household as someone who has symptoms or has tested positive for Coronavirus
- have been in close recent contact with someone who has tested positive and received a notification to self-isolate from NHS Test and Trace
By following instructions to self-isolate, people who have had close recent contact with someone with Coronavirus will be protecting their family, friends, the general population and your business.
Normal cleaning methods will kill Coronavirus. Please refer to the Government's Covid-19: cleaning of non-healthcare settings guidance, which describes the cleaning required, the appropriate disposal of materials, the cleaning of equipment and hard surfaces, and the personal protective equipment (PPE) that should be worn.
Reporting an outbreak of Covid-19
Guidance for businesses and organisations on how to recognise, contain and report incidents of coronavirus has been published, as well as measures local health protection teams may advise in order to contain it.
Covid-19 early outbreak management
Action cards have been developed to cover a range of businesses and organisations to provide specific advice on the issues each type of organisation may face. The cards are designed to be printed or downloaded to keep on hand in your business or organisation. Action cards by sector:
- Small and large gathering action cards: entertainment and tourist resorts, places of worship and tourist attractions.
- Residential workplace action cards: campsites and caravan parks, domestic abuse refuges, homelessness accommodation and hotels and other guest accommodation.
- Workplace action cards: including, but not limited to, arts venues, food and drink establishments, food processing, construction, shops, and hair and beauty.