On 11 May the Government has released new guidance on social distancing regulations and a roadmap for how the UK will adjust its response to the COVID-19 crisis.
Click here to read the full guidance.
The Government also released an updated version of their coronavirus outbreak FAQs on what you can and cannot do at this time.
Click here to read the updated FAQs.
The new guidance sets out the plans for moving to the next phase of its response to the virus. Over the coming months, the Government will introduce a range of adjustments to current social distancing controls starting on Wednesday 13 May.
‘The three-step strategy sets out a cautious roadmap to easing existing measures,’ says Cerrig Parr, a partner in the private client team with Hughes Solicitors. ‘Strict conditions need to be met before we can safely move from each step to the next, so it may be many months before we all start getting back to ‘normal’.’
The key points include:
Working arrangements
The guidance states that, for the foreseeable future, workers should continue to work from home rather than their normal physical workplace, wherever possible to help minimise the number of social contacts across the country and keep transmissions as low as possible.
Click here to view the guidance on working safely during coronavirus.
We are monitoring the situation closely and will update should any more information be released.
Social contact
When the new guidance takes effect, people can spend an unlimited amount of time outdoors for exercise and can meet with one person from outside their household, as long as they comply with social distancing guidelines to remain two metres (6ft) away and maintain good hand hygiene.
People may also exercise outside as many times each day as they wish and drive to outdoor open spaces irrespective of distance, however the government have warned people not to travel to different parts of the UK due to differing guidance in Scotland and Wales.
In the future stages of the strategy, the regulations may be changed to “allow people to expand their household group to include one other household in the same exclusive group”.
Vulnerable and elderly persons
We understand many of our clients are concerned about their elderly relatives, friends or neighbors. The advice for those aged 70 and over continues to be that they should take particular care to minimise contact with others outside their household.
Clinically vulnerable people should also minimise contact with others outside their households, but do not need to be shielded.
Those in the clinically extremely vulnerable group are strongly advised to continue shielding, stay at home at all times and avoid any face-to-face contact until further notice.
Buying and selling your home
The government has updated the guidance for home moving allowing people to visit estate or letting agents, developer sales offices and show rooms.
With estate agents able to open, viewings can be carried out for buying or renting properties and house moves can be completed now removal firms and conveyancers can restart operations. This also includes preparing a residential property to move in and visiting a residential property to undertake any activities required for the rental or sale of that property.
Social distancing measures must be adhered to as much as possible.
The official changes to legislation can be viewed here.
These new measures and guidance will be kept under review as the coronavirus situation develops.
How we can help
If you would like help with a legal matter during this time our team are on hand to help. Please contact us on 01435 890 101 or email info@hugheslaw.co.uk.
This article is for general information only and does not constitute legal or professional advice. Please note that the law may have changed since this article was published.