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Publication - Advice and guidance

Coronavirus (COVID-19): safer businesses and workplaces

Last updated: 28 Feb 2022 - see all updates
Published: 23 Dec 2021
Directorate:
Economic Development Directorate
Part of:
Business, industry and innovation, Coronavirus in Scotland, Public safety and emergencies

Guidance for businesses and workplaces on reducing the risk of COVID-19 and supporting staff and customers.

Supporting documents
Coronavirus (COVID-19): safer businesses and workplaces
Sector specific measures
Supporting documents

Sector-specific measures

Protection measures are required to reduce the transmission of COVID-19. This section details the sector specific protection measures in place:

Measures

Sector/industry

Date

Measures

Hospitality (including nightclubs)

 
  • mandatory collection of contact details remains a requirement
  • mandatory reasonable measures to reduce the risk of transmission apply
  • from 28 February 2022 the legal requirement for vaccine certificates/negative test result to be provided to access certain settings will be removed. Businesses may wish to retain the COVID Certification Scheme voluntarily
  • face coverings must be worn subject to exemptions and exceptions
  • please refer to the hospitality and tourism sector specific guidance, for further information. Please see further information on business support available

Sport stadia

 
  • mandatory reasonable measures to reduce the risk of transmission apply
  • sport stadia may wish to consider voluntarily operating the COVID Certification Scheme as a way to make their customers feel safer
  • face coverings must be worn subject to exemptions and exceptions

Please refer to the sportscotland website for further information

Sports and indoor leisure facilities (including gyms)

 

 
  • mandatory reasonable measures to reduce the risk of transmission apply
  • face coverings must be worn subject to exemptions and exceptions

Live events

 
  • mandatory reasonable measures to reduce the risk of transmission apply
  • operators may wish to consider voluntarily operating the COVID Certification Scheme.
  • face coverings must be worn subject to exemptions and exceptions

Please refer to the Cultural Performances and Events guidance for further information.

Cultural venues (including cinemas,

theatres, concert halls, comedy clubs, music venues, and museums and galleries).

 
  • mandatory reasonable measures to reduce the risk of transmission apply
  • face coverings must be worn subject to exemptions and exceptions

Please refer to sector specific:

Weddings, funerals, civil partnerships and other milestone events

 
  • mandatory reasonable measures to reduce the risk of transmission apply
  • face coverings must be worn noting exemptions and exceptions
  • please refer to safe use of places of worship guidance for further information

Retail, shops and shopping centres

 

Mandatory reasonable measures to reduce the risk of transmission apply

Retailers should follow and implement the Scottish Government’s regulations and guidance to ensure the safety of customers and staff. Enhanced mitigations should be put in place, such as:

  • information and communication, such as signs, verbal prompts and markings, to promote protection measures and support customers and staff to behave safely in store
  • measures to help control the flow of customers and help people keep a safe distance from others particularly at potential pinch-points of congregation like tills, such as through the use of tannoy systems, signs, floor markings, queue management systems and separate entrance and exits
  • promote, provide and maintain hygiene stations and enhanced cleaning measures throughout stores
  • promoting the use of face coverings
  • using screens to create a physical barrier between people, for example at till points and self-service checkouts
  • maximising fresh air coming into the premises

A checklist of measures is provided to support retailers considering appropriate measures for their setting.

Close contact services (barbers, hairdressers etc.)

 
  • mandatory reasonable measures to reduce the risk of transmission apply
  • face coverings must be worn noting exemptions and exceptions

Please refer to close contact sector specific guidance for information.

Tourist accommodation

(hotels, hostels, members clubs, boarding houses and, bed and breakfast accommodation providers)

 

From 5:00 a.m. on 24 January 2022 measures are as detailed
  • mandatory reasonable measures to reduce the risk of transmission apply
  • mandatory collection of contact details remains a requirement in hotel settings where food and drink is sold
  • face coverings must be worn noting exemptions and exceptions

Please refer to hospitality and tourism sector specific guidance for information.

Working in other people’s homes

 

When working in other people’s homes, it is still important to take actions and implement measures to limit the risk of transmission of the virus. This is important for limiting the risk to yourself/your staff, but also the risk to those living in the house where the work is taking place.

The following should be considered by businesses, staff and householders where the work is undertaken:

  • before entering another person’s home, workers should undertake a LFD test on the day, prior to attendance and only proceed if a negative test result has been obtained
  • householders should also undertake a LFD test on the day, prior to the visit
  • we are encouraging householders, particularly those on the Highest Risk List, to ask people who are working in their home to take an LFD test first
  • if anyone in the house is self-isolating, staff should not enter unless the work required is essential/an emergency
  • as with any workplace, risk assessments are important in identifying risks and how they can be controlled. Even if self-employed or an individual contractor, you should undertake a risk assessment for working in someone else’s home that covers COVID-19
  •  staff should wear a face covering, especially when moving through the home or engaging with any of the householders. They may want to ask members of the household to wear a face covering when engaging, though it should be remembered that not everyone is able to wear one. Ventilation of the workspace/ home should be maximised to allow circulation of fresh air
  • workers should try to keep a reasonable distance from individuals in the household
  • individuals should consider keeping contact details of workers/householders for contract tracing purposes
  • when travelling to/from the work location, consider the relevant guidance

If you employ individuals who are required to work in other people’s homes, you should continue to work with these individuals, or their representatives, on health and safety matters.
Hybrid working
Protection measures

Contact

Email: DLECONPSWT@gov.scot

First published: 23 Dec 2021 Last updated: 28 Feb 2022 -