Safe Exit for business
Operating at Level 1
From Saturday 8th August 2020 Jersey moved through the Safe Exit Framework to operate at Level 1 of the framework.
The public health policy guidelines for level 1 are available here and the key principles are:
- Maintain strong hygiene measures
- Maintain a physical distance of 1 metre from anyone you don’t live with
- There is no time limit on how long you can spend outside your home
- Businesses can begin to step down working from home as the default operating model as required
- Limits remain on the number of people who can gather or attend an event both inside and outside. Full guidance on holding and managing events and gatherings is available here.
For further detailed information on how to operate safely within your industry please see:
This guidance supports all businesses that are now permitted to open in identifying how they can adapt their practices to significantly increase safety for staff and customers in the face of COVID-19 and to reduce the risk as they open and operate.
Every business or organisation opening during the COVID-19 pandemic should plan in advance how they are going to reduce the risk of spreading the virus during the course of operating.
Businesses have two critical areas to consider:
- Protection of staff and their families
- Protection of customers and their families
This detailed guidance provides advice on the following issues that every organisation needs to consider as it opens:
- Preparing to re-open
- Supporting staff to follow public health advice
- Handwashing
- Staffing levels and supporting vulnerable people
- Physical distancing
- Payments
- Deliveries
- Cleaning of premises, equipment and toilet facilities
This guidance applies to indoor workplaces such as offices, warehouses, manufacturing and workshops. These businesses are able to return more employees to the workplace, beyond what may be otherwise considered essential. At Level 1 of the Safe Exit Framework working from home is no longer expected to be the default position.
Every business returning to the workplace must undertake a risk assessment in advance to plan how it will put appropriate measures in place before opening to reduce and manage the risk of coronavirus transmission. Crucially, this means that the number of people working within the building must be able to comfortably maintain physical distancing at all times with adequate welfare and hygiene provisions made available. In many cases, this will mean that the number of employees able to return to the workplace will remain very limited.
Where a business is within a building occupied by others, an additional risk assessment that covers the communal areas shared with people outside of your organisation will need to be developed.
Any business that is opening should retain a record of the risk assessment and workplace plan which should be available for inspection by the relevant authorities, including the Health and Safety Inspectorate.
Note that this guidance is in addition to the general guidance that applies to all businesses opening at the current time.
This guidance for indoor workplaces provides advice on how to open safely including:
- The number of people in a building
- Workplace layout and work processes
- Notices, floor markings and movement
- Cleaning and hygiene
- Use of plant and equipment
Detailed Government guidance can be found here:
The guidance also includes information posters for use throughout a workplace:
UK Government guidelines are also helpful in providing examples of best practice for offices etc.
Under the Safe Exit Level 1 Policy indoor and outdoor seated food services are permitted to open. This guidance sets out ways in which businesses providing such services can operate whilst reducing the risk of the spread of COVID-19.
Designated nightclubs and those who can provide a standing-only service must remain closed at this point in Level 1.
Takeaways and food deliveries continue to be able to operate following the guidance provided.
From Wednesday 1 July, pubs and bars can open for a seated service following public health guidelines found here.
Note that this guidance is in addition to the general guidance that applies to all businesses opening at the current time.
This guidance for food and drink businesses provides advice on how to trade including:
- Physical distancing measures
- Collecting contact information
- Working in kitchens
- Spacing of tables
- Queuing and circulation
- Hygiene and sanitising in food and drinks services
- ‘Self-service’ and buffets
- Indoor seated food services
- Outdoor seated food services
- Awnings and weather screens
- Food vans, trailers and carts
- Building alterations
- Preparing to resume food and drink services at Level 1
- Takeaway and food deliveries
- Drinks only venues partnering with a food business
Any businesses intending to re-open must inform Environmental Health at [email protected] that it intends to reopen and begin serving sit down customers. All businesses providing food services should also follow the guidance on food safety during a changing business model.
UK Government guidelines are also helpful in providing examples of best practice for food and drink businesses:
All retail businesses should have a strategy in place to support physical distancing of 1 metre between everyone on their premises including staff, customers and any other permitted visitors.
The retail guidance is in addition to the general guidance that applies to all businesses opening at the current time, including essential retailers.
The retail guidance provides advice on how to trade including:
- Hygiene and sanitising
- Physical distancing measures
- Changing rooms
- Returns
- Specific subsectors including, unstaffed side of the road vegetable stalls, Supermarkets, Taxi services, Private transport
UK Government guidelines are also helpful in providing examples of best practice for retailers:
This guidance applies to close personal contact services, they include:
- hairdressers
- barbers
- beauty and nail salons
- piercing and tattoo parlours
- massage and reflexology
- laser and cosmetic clinics
At level 1, all close personal contact services and treatments can now be undertaken, including close work on or around the face, where hygiene and sanitising guidelines are strictly followed including the wearing of visors and cloth face masks.
Government guidance for wellbeing, cosmetic and beauty services
Note that this guidance is in addition to the general guidance that applies to all businesses opening at the current time.
The Level 1 guidance for sport and physical activity remains under review in light of the current level of transmission risk on the Island.
This guidance is for businesses, clubs and associations that operate indoor and outdoor sport and recreation facilities and/or provide indoor or outdoor sports and activity services (‘indoor and outdoor activity businesses’). It supports operators in identifying how they can adapt their practices to significantly increase safety for staff, volunteers and customers / users in the context of COVID-19 in Jersey.
Saunas, steam rooms, spas and Jacuzzies should all remain closed.
Jersey Sport is also able to help and further information is available on their website.
Government guidance for Indoor sports & recreation businesses
Note that this guidance is in addition to the general guidance that applies to all businesses opening at the current time.
This guidance applies to indoor leisure venues who are permitted to open at Level 1 of the Safe Exit Framework, they are:
- libraries
- museums
- galleries
- arcades
At Level 1, cinemas, theatres, concert halls and sporting venues providing for seated audiences may operate in accordance with the advice on gatherings and events until the point at which a venue-specific opening plan for the Autumn (October onwards at the earliest) is agreed with the Government in line with public health guidance.
Indoor leisure venues should also follow the guidelines for indoor workplaces, sports and recreation, and food and drink (where applicable).
Note that this guidance is in addition to the general guidance that applies to all businesses opening at the current time.
Home and building repair and maintenance works may be carried out by plumbers, electricians, roofers, scaffolders and other tradespeople. This work can be carried out at people’s homes , provided that the tradesperson is well and has no symptoms. It is vital that public health guidelines, including maintaining a 1 metre distance from any household occupants, are followed to ensure everyone’s safety.
Construction permits for building works are no longer required.
The Construction Leadership Council have issued guidelines for the safe operation of construction sites during COVID-19 which can be found here:
The Government of Jersey advice on safe operations is available here:
All pet stores and veterinary businesses providing items for health and welfare of animals, including animal feed and medicines, animal food, pet food, animal supplies including bedding, can remain open and are essential retail.
Business should follow guidance for retailers that are currently permitted to open. Where goods can be delivered, companies are encouraged to offer a home delivery service.
Guidance for other animal related services such as boarding kennels, dog groomers, dog walkers, horse livery yards, farriers and equine instructors can be found here.
Hotels, hostels, B&Bs, self-catering accommodation and similar and camping sites may all open.
Note that this guidance is in addition to the general guidance that applies to all businesses opening at the current time.
There is also separate guidance for hotels looking after those isolating due to coronavirus.
Registered and Allied Health Professions are an essential part of the health and care system. Their services are vital in aiding disease and condition management, recovery and prevention of further complications and illnesses. They include:
- chiropractor
- osteopath
- physiotherapist
- podiatrist
- optometrist
- optician
- orthoptist
- clinical psychologist
- speech & language therapist
- chiropodist
- dietitian
- occupational therapist
- radiographer
- acupuncturists
Government advice for Allied and registered health & dentists
Note that this guidance is in addition to the general guidance that applies to all businesses opening at the current time.
As part of Level 1, businesses are now allowed to carry out work in customers’ homes if the following public health guidance is adhered to.
It covers all business activity that involves going in to a private occupied residence such as
- cleaners
- cooks
- surveyors
- estate agents
- internal building maintenance (including repair, renovation and home improvement)
- deliveries
- home visits for personal appointments (such as hairdressing, health practitioners etc).
This is not an exhaustive list.
This guidance sets out ways in which such businesses can operate whilst reducing the risk of the spread of COVID-19.
Note that this guidance is in addition to the general guidance that applies to all businesses opening at the current time.
Guidance for businesses that offer outdoor services away from their own premises
Businesses that offer outdoor services away from their own premises, such as gardening or window cleaning, are able to provide services outside with no prescribed restriction on number of employees working. This is on the condition that they must continue to achieve physical distancing where possible, including travelling to and from the place of work and during the course of the work.
Note that this guidance is in addition to the general guidance that applies to all businesses opening at the current time.
If you have any questions or queries about operating during the Safe Exit please contact: [email protected]