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local outbreak plan

Last updated: 21/12/2020

PREPARE FOR THE POSSIBILITY OF

A LOCAL OUTBREAK

As of Sunday 20th December, Southend-on-Sea will be under Tier Four, Stay At Home restrictions. See a summary of the restrictions here. For the latest tier information check this link.

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The following information has been provided so that businesses in Southend-on-Sea are prepared in the event of a local outbreak and the potential temporary business closures that may follow.

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The Local Outbreak Control Plan for Southend-on-Sea can be found HERE and it provides details on how we will prevent and manage a coronavirus outbreak in our town.

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If an outbreak occurs in your premises please ensure you immediately call 0300 303 8537 and select Option 1.

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Southend Borough Council are asking any business with a confirmed case within Southend to inform them on 01702 212497 or by email.

Action Cards

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Action Cards have been developed by the Government for specific situations where an outbreak could occur. This could be a restaurant or office, a construction site or a place of worship.


The action cards are designed to be downloaded or printed and kept on hand in your business or organisation. You should follow your local restrictions in accordance with government guidelines. There are 3 tiers and there are different rules depending on what tier an area is in.​

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  • Accommodation providers (hotels, other guest accommodation, etc) - click HERE

  • Commercial workplaces (contact centres, offices, etc) - click HERE

  • Consumer workplaces (hairdressers, barbers, shops, etc) - click HERE

  • Education (primary, secondary, further education, etc) - click HERE

  • Food and Drink (delivery, restaurants, pubs, cafes) - click HERE

  • Small & large gatherings (attractions, entertainment resorts, etc) - click HERE

More action cards can be found HERE.

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If an outbreak occurs in your premises please ensure you immediately call 0300 303 8537 and select Option 1. This will trigger an immediate response from both East of England Health Protection Team and Southend Borough Council.

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managing a possible outbreak​

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The below details have been taken from the Government website​ (18/12/2020), always check the latest guidance.

 

.What can you do to manage a possible outbreak?


Confirm

  1. If you are informed about a potential case or cases, check whether they have had a test.

  2. If tested negative and are well, they can return to work.

  3. If tested positive, they must self-isolate for 10 days from the day they were tested.

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Call

If an outbreak looks to have occured in your premises immediately call 0300 303 8537 and select Option 1. Southend Borough Council are asking any business with a confirmed case within Southend to inform them on 01702 212497 or by email.

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Contacts

  1. Identify any close contacts of the confirmed case in your setting.

  2. Remember, contact might occur in a car if car-sharing or in staff rooms on breaks. Talk to the case and make a full list.

 

Check
Check your workspace. Refer to guidance on working safely during coronavirus (COVID-19).

This has practical steps to take and explains how you must carry out a COVID-19 risk assessment for your organisation. You may want to redo your risk assessment.

continuity plans​

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If there should be a positive case of Covid- 19 within your business - what are your contingency plans?

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Should a member of your staff or a customer test positive for Covid-19 you need to be prepared and to think about how you would respond and subsequently manage your business. 

Consider the following as part of your business continuity plans:- 

  • If a member of staff (or customer) tested positive this may mean several others would be required to self-isolate if they had been in close contact. 

    • You could lose a number of your work force for a period of at least 7 to 14 days.  How would you manage this?

    • Think about key roles with who and how they interact.  E.g if a waitress, the chef, delivery driver or possibly a customer was a positive case what would be the outcome to your business?   What is your back up? Should you limit contact between key individuals?

    • Would you need to recruit?

    • How would you cover the period of absence?

    • Would you need to close? 

 

  • Are members of your staff in close contact with each other or customers?  

    • Do they spend time face to face under 1 metre apart? 

    • Do they spend more than 15 minutes together 1 -2 metres apart?

    • Could this be avoided to minimise the impact of a positive case on your business?

    • Are your staff acting safely in their free time?  Have you checked if they are adhering to social distancing rules when they are not at work?  Are they putting your business at risk?

 

 

 

  • If you needed to close what things would you need to do to ensure your premises were secure and remained hygienic?

    • How would you address incoming or outgoing deliveries and orders?

    • Would you need to contact your customer base to advise of a closure or service delays?

    • How would you manage this? 

    • For food businesses this guidance is available HERE  

 

  • When would it be safe for staff members to return to work?

By having an effective risk assessment and being prepared for contingencies in the event of a potential case you will be in a better position to protect your business and potentially avoid closure.

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For further information or advice please contact Environmental Health on 01702 215005,  environmentalhealth@southend.gov.uk  or Economic Development on 01702215022 or economicd@southend.gov.uk

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