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Customer-facing businesses should not “close their eyes and stick their heads in the sand” when it comes to covid, according to the head of contact tracing.
With one major islander retailer being forced to temporarily close last week after some staff tested positive for the virus, the Government is urging employers to encourage their staff to get involved with the new workforce testing programme, and to take steps to avoid disruption.
“We saw that the Powerhouse had to shut its doors last week but they did the right thing to support testing and I would strongly urge businesses not to close their eyes and stick their heads in the sand,” said Rachel Williams, the Government’s Director of Testing and Tracing.
“I would encourage employers to promote the workforce testing programme to their staff. It will not only ensure people know if they have covid themselves but it will also help protect their friends, family and loved ones, as well as customers."
Pictured: Retail workers will be tested every eight weeks as part of the workforce testing programme.
She continued: "The message to businesses is clear: look at your business continuity arrangements, as you would do at this time of year anyway, and follow the public health guidelines around hygiene. Now is not the time for complacency.
"Please look at your contingency plans and make sure they’re in place, just as you did at the beginning of the pandemic. So, that’s perhaps having a red team and a blue team, or making sure that staff have at least 1m distance between them in the office."
"It’s also about not congregating by the sink or water cooler, properly cleaning surfaces, washing hands and not sharing mugs or glasses.”
Launched a fortnight ago as part of the Government’s winter covid strategy, the workforce testing programme is aimed at the 47,000 people in Jersey that deal with ‘customers’ on a day-to-day basis, from nurses and carers to teachers and shop assistants.
The 47,000 have been split into three groups - based on risk to both selves and those whom they support - each on a different cycle of retesting. The vast majority (40,000) are in Group C, who are tested every eight weeks. This includes construction, retail, public sector and school workers.
The PCR tests are free, take place at the Harbour, are voluntary, and Islanders don’t need permission of their employer.
Pictured: Teachers and those involved in early years education and childcare are included in the Government’s workforce testing programme.
Mrs Williams said: “With the workforce testing, there is no need to isolate once you’ve had your test. If someone is found to be positive, then they go through the normal contact tracing procedures, and their direct contacts will also be contacted.
“Those direct contacts will have to self isolate and take tests of Day 0, 5 and 8 but each case will be different and the testing arrangements can be specific to individuals.
“However, we are asking that if anyone shows any symptoms of coronavirus, please do not go to the workforce testing centre. Instead, ring the helpline and follow their instructions. If they want you to have a test, people with symptoms will be told to go for testing at the Airport and not the Harbour.”
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