Stop the spread

With winter and the annual cold/flu season fast approaching, we now strongly encourage the use of face coverings or masks in all indoor workplaces (including offices).

We recognise face coverings/masks are not mandatory except in Scotland, where the wearing of face coverings in indoor communal workplaces is now mandatory, and there are people who are unable to wear them for medical reasons. However, we actively encourage the use of face coverings or masks in all parts of our business in order to keep our colleagues and customers safe and well. This is even more important in situations where social distancing is difficult. 

To be clear, our position is that whilst face coverings are not mandatory in all workplaces, we strongly recommend they are worn. The wearing of face coverings is part of our overall preparedness for winter, along with our flu vaccination scheme, severe weather risk assessment and winter cold and flu prevention programme. We will continue to monitor the guidance and make sure our approach is focused on keeping our people safe. 

Why are face coverings important?

Covid-19 usually spreads by droplets from coughs, sneezes and speaking. These droplets can also be picked up from surfaces, if you touch a surface and then your face without washing your hands first. This is why social distancing, regular hand hygiene, and covering coughs and sneezes is so important in controlling the spread of the virus.

We must all continue to do everything we can to protect ourselves, colleagues, family and customers. Wearing a face covering will help us stay safe by reducing the risk of infection. Face coverings are available for all colleagues from their manager.

How to wear a mask:

• Before putting on a mask, clean your hands with alcohol-based hand rub or soap and water.
• Cover your mouth and nose with your mask and make sure there are no gaps between your face and the mask.
• Avoid touching the mask while using it. If you do, clean your hands with alcohol-based hand rub or soap and water.
• Replace the mask with a new one as soon as it is damp and do not re-use single-use masks.

How to remove and dispose of a mask:

• To remove the mask, remove it from behind (do not touch the front of the mask).
• Discard immediately in a waste bin, do not place the mask on surfaces or frames.
• Clean your hands with soap and water or alcohol-based hand rub.
• Drivers should take a polythene bag with them and dispose of any waste that they generate into it immediately after use and put in the bin in the office when they return.

You can find a fully updated Q&A covering all aspects of our ongoing response to the coronavirus pandemic by clicking here.