The guidance within this email applies to UK based employees only.
Dear Colleagues
Over the last few days, we have seen how the Government is responding to the ongoing challenges of the global coronavirus pandemic, with national control measures relating to foreign travel from Spain being implemented at short notice. The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) is continuing to advise British nationals against all but essential international travel, except to certain countries that are listed here. People returning to the UK from a country not listed by the FCO are required to quarantine when they return (current quarantine period is 14 days from your date of return).
With the global coronavirus pandemic ongoing, the Government is having to respond quickly and we therefore need to be prepared for changes to happen regarding other countries, potentially at very short notice. The Government is advising that no travel is risk-free; guidance is under constant review; and disruption is still possible. With this in mind, employees need to be aware of the risks for any overseas travel at this current time. Therefore, to enable both you and the company to plan accordingly, employees and managers are advised of the following, effective immediately:
Future overseas travel:
- If you travel to a country that has already been identified as not exempt and requires a quarantine period upon your return, unless you are able to work from home during quarantine, that quarantine period will be recorded as unauthorised unpaid leave and will be a qualifying absence under the Attendance Management Procedure (AMP).
- If you have already travelled to your destination when the FCO updates its guidance to remove it from the exempt list, resulting in a compulsory quarantine period upon your return, the following action must be taken:
- You must contact your line manager to confirm that you will be in quarantine and the date you expect your quarantine period to end. Please be aware, evidence of travel may be requested.
- Where you can work remotely during the quarantine period, you must do so upon your return.
- Where you cannot work remotely, you must take authorised unpaid leave to cover the quarantine period. Alternatively, remaining annual leave including service days, or RHA may be used to cover some, or all, of your quarantine period.
Employees currently in Spain:
We understand that a number of employees will have travelled to Spain on or before Saturday 25 July, prior to the change in government guidance on the requirement to quarantine upon return. We are looking at the right way to manage this in light of the sudden shift in the advice. To do this we need to urgently understand how our people are impacted. We also need to be conscious that further such changes could potentially occur with little or no warning. To help us with both these scenarios, we will be seeking further information regarding employees’ travel plans. If you receive a request to provide additional information about your travel plans, please respond as soon as possible. We will, in due course, give further updates on any actions required, following review of the information provided.
Further information:
You are reminded that, in line with government guidance, failure to follow the quarantine rules could result in an individual being fined £1000. In the event that an employee breaches these rules and the company becomes aware, this will be regarded as a serious matter and may be subject to disciplinary action.
If you have any questions about the guidance provided, please refer to the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) in the first instance.
We will continue to monitor UK government guidance and will advise you of any changes to our above processes, as required. You are advised to continue to regularly monitor the government guidance for travelling overseas during the coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic.
Thank you for your continued understanding and commitment.
Issued by Human Resources | 