// Usdaw has called for an update on the workplace coronavirus guidance

// Shopworkers’ trade union has requested social distancing and safety measures

Trade union Usdaw has written a letter to the PM, urging him to strengthen workplace Covid guidance and safety measures for retail workers.

Shopworkers’ trade union leader Paddy Lillis wrote to the Prime Minister calling on the Government to urgently update the workplace coronavirus guidance and reintroduce adequate social distancing and safety measures.

Usdaw is calling for the return of social distancing (particularly in shops) a requirement to properly ventilate workplaces and a review of sick pay, so that workers who test positive can afford the necessary time off.

The letter – which can be seen in full here – outlined a number of concerns about the  highly transmissible Omicron variantand pointed out that “Omicron’s rapid spread  leaves our members, who have worked tirelessly on the frontline as key workers throughout the pandemic, at increased risk of infection.

Read more: Face masks should remain compulsory in shops, Usdaw says 

It continued: “Further action is needed to protect retail workers from the risk of catching coronavirus and the subsequent requirement to self-isolate following a positive test.”

Lillis called for “all possible health and safety measures should[to] be under review at this time, with cases being forecast to spike significantly”.

“It is clear that further safeguards are needed to protect retail workers, over and above those set out in the current guidance,” he added.

“Usdaw is keen to provide support and assistance in preparing updates to the Government’s coronavirus workplace guidance, and is more than happy to offer our expertise on safety measures within the retail sector.”

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