Coronavirus news and links

During these extraordinary and very challenging times the UNISON Community and Voluntary Organisations Branch will do our best to support our members as best we can. We understand that the vast majority of our members are “Key Workers” who are unable to work remotely and are needed to protect and support the most vulnerable in our society during these extremely difficult times.

There is a lot of information and misinformation out there. We will try our best to only link you to reputable and trusted sources of information.

A large number of our members will fall into the “High Risk” category as they will have an underlying condition identified as potentially leading to additional complications with Covid-19. There is more information here from the NHS for those who feel they may be at High Risk or have a close family member/ flat mate who is.

This is all very new to us in the Branch as it is to everyone else. Government advice and support is changing on a daily basis and we are trying to keep up to date with this. UNISON National are also posting regular updates and information relating to your rights at work and this can be found here.

Many of you will also be parents having to support Children who may or not be able to attend school and/ or be working in an education setting. Again this is a changing issue but there is advice from the Department for Education below;

COVID-19: guidance on home care provision

Guidance from UNISON on PPE: https://www.unison.org.uk/coronavirus-rights-work/personal-protective-equipment-coronavirus/
Guidance from UNISON for Social Care Workers : https://www.unison.org.uk/care-workers-your-rights/coronavirus-advice-social-care-workers/
Guidance from the NHS for those providing home care: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-residential-care-supported-living-and-home-care-guidance/covid-19-guidance-on-home-care-provision

Personal protective equipment

“Care workers should use personal protective equipment (PPE) for activities that bring them into close personal contact, such as washing and bathing, personal hygiene and contact with bodily fluids.

Aprons, gloves and fluid repellent surgical masks should be used in these situations. If there is a risk of splashing, then eye protection will minimise risk.

New personal protective equipment must be used for each episode of care. It is essential that personal protective equipment is stored securely within disposable rubbish bags.

These bags should be placed into another bag, tied securely and kept separate from other waste within the room. This should be put aside for at least 72 hours before being put in the usual household waste bin.”

LATEST DfE COVID-19 GUIDANCE AND UPDATES.

Guidance on Vulnerable Children and Young People: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-guidance-on-vulnerable-children-and-young-people
Guidance on Isolation for Residential Education Settings: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-guidance-on-isolation-for-residential-educational-settings
Guidance for Schools about Temporarily Closing: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-school-closures
Q&A for Parents and Carers (updated): https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/closure-of-educational-settings-information-for-parents-and-carers
Cancellation of GCSEs, AS and A levels in 2020 Q&A: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-cancellation-of-gcses-as-and-a-levels-in-2020
Free School Meals Guidance (updated): https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-free-school-meals-guidance

Please note, we expect the guidance to be regularly updated (potentially daily) to add further information and respond to the situation on the ground. I will continue to keep you informed of any further updates. However a full list of the latest published information can be found here.

If you do not find the information you need here then please contact the Branch. Or call 0207 729 4001