Coronavirus: What should my employer do to keep me safe?

The government has issued new guidance on how different workplaces should be made safe for staff during the coronavirus pandemic.

This follows the prime minister's announcement that those who could not work from home should be "actively encouraged to go to work" in England.

Several key points must be followed, such as maintaining a 2m (6ft) distance wherever possible, cleaning more frequently and carrying out a risk assessment.

CBI director general Carolyn Fairbairn told the BBC's Today programme that employers would "welcome" the guidance.

"It is detailed, it is eight different work settings, it is consistent with what many employers are already practising in the workplace," she said.

"It is very important that we do take these first steps and that we do take them in conjunction with unions and employee groups."

But many employees are still worried about what will change in the workplace.

So what are the new guidelines for different sectors?

Prime Minister Boris Johnson highlighted construction and manufacturing as the sorts of industries where employees would now be explicitly encouraged to return to work.

On Monday, new government guidance said that bosses of employees who mainly work outdoors, such as in the construction or agricultural industries, needed to ensure that staff could work - even if social distancing was not possible.

It advised that additional personal protective equipment (PPE) which was over and above the normal helmets and other building site protection - such as face masks - was not required.

Other guidelines include:

Adam Marshall, director general of the British Chambers of Commerce, said: "This is a significant step forward in terms of the information available for businesses, who will now need to digest the detail.

"The guidance signals big changes for the way that many businesses operate, and some firms will now need time to plan and speak to their employees so that they can return to work safely."

Factory and warehouse workers' bosses need to make sure surfaces which are regularly touched are cleaned frequently and that there is plenty of hand sanitiser.

Shifts should have the same personnel and, as with construction, shared tools should be dropped off somewhere rather than handed over directly.

Deliveries should be larger and less frequent to minimise contact with outsiders.

The government also said "factory, plant and warehouse workers should not use PPE as a precaution against coronavirus, and not wear any more PPE than usual".

For office workers, employers should devise one-way systems to minimise contact amongst their staff.

Staggering arrival and departure times at work to reduce crowding should also be considered, as well as providing extra parking and facilities such as bike racks to encourage people to walk, run, or cycle to work if possible.

Meetings should also be held remotely - and only involve participants who are absolutely necessary. Meeting outside could be considered if that's not possible, although the government still says those who can work from home should continue to do so.

Screens, barriers and floor tape should be used to keep people apart and help show 2m distances.

And the use of hot desks should be avoided. In call centres or training facilities where that's not an option, workstations should be sanitised between shifts.

Staggered breaks and packed lunches will also help prevent gatherings of people.

But Michael Izza, the chief executive of the accountancy industry body the ICAEW said: "This is not a return to business-as-usual, and companies will note the government's advice that employees should continue to work from home if possible.

He added: "Implementing the guidance will mean costs and changes which businesses will not find easy. In light of that, I expect many of them will think twice about reopening their offices."

Much of the same guidance applies to those working in research facilities or labs.

But it is also recommended that arrangements should be made for how to clean expensive equipment that can't be washed down. Additionally, in the event of an emergency, such as a chemical spill or fire, people do not need to stay 2m apart.

The new guidance applies to businesses that are currently open, such as chemists and shops selling food, as well as others which are still closed.

Mr Johnson said in his address to the nation on Sunday that if the circumstances were right, other types of shops might be able to open next month - such as fashion retailers.

The guidance suggests all of these businesses should use the following measures:

Lorry drivers and couriers have been classified as key workers during the coronavirus pandemic.

Where social distancing guidelines can't be followed while they're at work, bosses have been told to consider whether that activity is critical to the business. One example includes heavy deliveries needing more than one member of staff.

Bosses of those working in vehicles should also:

The government also had particular advice for people who work in or visit other people's homes, such as plumbers, electricians, cleaners and carers.

"We understand how important it is that you can work safely and support your employees' health and wellbeing," the advice says.

Workers should wash their hands and surfaces more and cut any activities where being 2m or closer to a colleague are needed.

If that isn't possible, it suggests the several tactics:

If none of this is possible, businesses should assess whether the work can safely go ahead, and employees should raise their concerns if they think otherwise.

No work should be done in homes where inhabitants are isolating, unless it's to address a safety problem, and where there are vulnerable people, face-to-face contact should be avoided.

Making sure customers know to keep 2m away is also a must, as well as cleaning surfaces which will be regularly touched.

On 4 July at the earliest, some businesses in England including pubs and restaurants, may be allowed to open as long as they can meet social distancing measures.

This is part of a tentative plan to allow the hospitality industry to reopen in the third phase of the lockdown easing.

For now, all food and drinks outlets must continue to offer exclusively takeaway or delivery options, with all seating and bar areas remaining closed.

The new guidelines note that Covid-19 is a respiratory illness and is not known to be transmitted by exposure to food or food packaging. For takeaway and delivery services, it recommends: