SSAIB understands that there has now been further developments with the clarification of Critical Workers (formerly known as Key Worker) – after a collaboration between leading bodies across the fire and security industries earlier this week.
A collective industry effort has seen the following announcement published earlier today, ensuring that “roles essential to supporting law and order” will be considered as Critical Workers from now on.
SIA chief executive Ian Todd stated: “Roles essential to supporting law and order, with the potential to reduce demand on policing, also meet the critical worker definition.
“This would include, amongst other areas, the guarding of empty or closed commercial, retail or office premises; the monitoring of similar through CCTV or other remote means; and the provision of alarm response centres including mobile units.”
For those workers that didn’t fall into the above criteria, Ian also suggested how they might still be able to cover essential work but reminded all personnel to continue to adhere to the current Government-directed social distancing requirement.
Ian continued: “If your role does not clearly fall under the headings above then you may still travel to work, if that work absolutely cannot be done from home. Your aim should be to stay at home whenever possible.
“If this is not viable then assess whether you can deliver more services remotely e.g. through CCTV. If a physical presence is required, then you should seek to minimise the number of staff deployed to the lowest safe level and ensure social distancing is applied.
“Note that in any circumstance, critical worker or otherwise, the Prime Minister has been very clear that ensuring social distancing remains the responsibility of the employer.”
The full report on these latest developments can also be found on the SIA website.