COVID-19 Update: Business Briefing Note

The Government has announced that the whole of Greater Manchester, including Manchester, is going to be designated at an Enhanced Response Area (ERA).

This is because COVID-19 cases are increasing, and we know that this is linked to the Delta variant of concern, first identified in India, which is easier to spread. We think it spreads 40% more easily than previous strains.

ERA status will build on all the work we have already been doing and it also means that we should get extra support around:
• more vaccine supply and help to give it to people
• military support if needed to set up any additional centres
• as well as further support around Covid testing and tracing
• supervised testing in schools, as well as extending the wearing of face masks in schools on the same basis as before

There is no travel ban, but people are asked to be careful (staggering journeys etc… and work from home where they can).

In Manchester’s case our policy has always been to act early – and we already have our own Covid prevention plan in place, which is giving extra focus on those areas where there has been ongoing transmission rates and low uptake of the vaccine.

These eight areas at the moment are:
Ardwick, Moss Side, Whalley Range, Rusholme, Longsight, Levenshulme, Cheetham and Crumpsall.

We are also doing more analysis to make sure all areas with low vaccine uptake are supported, wherever they are in the city.

In the meantime, we have a critical window where what we do now as a city, will have a major long-term effect. With that in mind our key advice to everyone – which is also ERA guidance – remains the same:
• Take extra care and meet people outside, rather than inside, wherever possible
• Follow all the rules around social distancing, face coverings, washing hands, wiping surfaces and keeping windows open
• Take the vaccination when offered – and if you have any questions please talk to your GP, who will want to help
• Do the free twice-weekly testing sessions (these are the lateral flow kits that are for people who do not have Covid symptoms). This is because we know that 1 in 3 people can have the virus without ever showing any sign of it. Then, please record your results -and if it is positive, please book a PCR test immediately to confirm the result. More details can be found on the council website www.manchester.gov.uk/coronavirus

• If you have Covid symptoms, please don’t delay, book a free PCR test immediately and stay at home until you get your result and advice on if you need to self-isolate
• Please take the help and support we can offer while you self-isolate. There is no stigma in catching the virus or being a contact

Advice for the safety of staff and customers:
• Display NHS QR code, face coverings, and social-distancing posters in a conspicuous location on the business premises.
• Actively encourage customers to sign in with the QR code.
• Employees and/or customers with COVID-19 symptoms or a positive COVID-19 test result must not be permitted to access the business premises.
• The contact details of clients must be stored safely for 21 days (about three weeks) before discarding. Provide details of clients and staff if required by the Test and Trace service.
• Report two or more confirmed COVID-19 cases in your workplace to your Local Environmental Health Team if you have been notified within 14 days. To access the form, visit: manchester.gov.uk/ businesscovidcases

Testing – Free rapid COVID-19 testing kits available to order.
Employees can have free regular rapid COVID-19 tests using lateral flow devices. These tests are for people without COVID-19 symptoms.

To order free kits, visit: gov.uk/order-coronavirus-rapidlateral-flow-test. For more information or advice, email: [email protected]

If you need any more details, the latest updates are on: www.manchester.gov.uk/coronavirus.

David Regan
Director of Public Health for Manchester.