Coronavirus: Questions and Answers: From vacations to barber shops and broken teeth, your questions were answered

As the government publishes details of the changes to coronavirus regulations take effect in England, Consumer editor Chris Choi answer your questions

Jo: What should forced-return workers do if their employers ignore the distancing guidelines?

“Employers have been told that they must ‘do everything possible’ to ensure that workers can maintain social detachment, along with the implementation of other measures, including greater cleanliness of the workplace, screens and masks, as appropriate. .

“If there are problems, talk to your bosses about your concerns.

“The government says it will issue specific guidelines for employers on how to make workplaces safe in the coming days, so it might be helpful to refer to them when they become available.”

“You can also formally raise issues within the company if necessary.

“If all that fails, it can pose problems with the Health and Safety Executive, which has powers to impose compliance notices.

“You can ask officials there to treat you as a whistleblower, so your name is not released to the company.”

Emma: If the lockout continues for a while longer, will the 80% more licensing plan be extended after June?

“Currently, the licensing plan is scheduled for four months from March 1, but can be extended beyond that.

However, there could be changes as part of any extension.

“Right now, the government pays 80% of a worker’s salary in the leave plan, but that could go down as the plan goes down.

“The chancellor is expected to make an announcement about this on Tuesday, with workers and companies watching him very carefully.”

Lisa: My son came home from college at the beginning of the running of the bulls. Are we allowed to travel back to your accommodation to collect all your belongings? He has a new job to start in Brighton in early June and is in the process of renting an apartment. Can you move to Brighton to start your job?

“When collecting belongings, government guidelines still contain the phrase: ‘You should only use a private vehicle for essential travel.’

“That includes: for medical reasons; shopping necessary; commuting to work and going out to exercise.

“By traveling, you would be creating the risk of collapse or accident, so officially it would be better to see if those belongings can be stored somewhere for now.”

“When it comes to moving to Brighton, the government has said: ‘Home buyers and tenants should, as far as possible, delay the move as long as there are emergency measures.’

“Consider whether it is work that can be done from home, or whether your child may delay starting the new job.

“The main objective of the official councils would be to put this on hold for the time being if possible.”

Paul: How soon can we start camping and fishing as long as we keep our distance?

“The advice on camping hasn’t changed: We’re still told that we shouldn’t be traveling to camps at this time.”

“However, there is good news about fishing if you are in England, as of Wednesday, when the first step changes take effect, fishing will be allowed.”

“However, as you said, it is very important that you make sure you stay two meters away from other people while you are away.

“There is no good news for fishermen in other parts of the UK: Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland are sticking to stricter guidelines on exercise, so walking, running and cycling are still allowed, although in Scotland and Wales can now exercise more than once a day. “

Angie: Are we able to travel to another county for a vacation home, obviously still complying with social distancing rules?

“The rules for traveling to second homes have not changed.

“In fact, the government guide published on Monday specifically says that you are not allowed to leave the place where you live to stay in another house for any reason.

“In England starting Wednesday, you can travel to another county for exercise or for a day trip in an outdoor space, but not to stay.

“However, remember that Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland have separate guidelines and continue to apply stricter guidelines, which say you should try to exercise in your local area.

“That means you have to be careful not to cross a border into a part of the UK with different rules than where you live.

“Even within England, the” Stay Alert “message could be important if you visit a different destination.

“If you are traveling to a popular beach or a crowded beauty spot, you will need to make a decision about whether you can safely distance yourself from others while you are there.”

“If you can’t do that, it may not be a good idea to stay there.”

Mandy: I ​​would like to know when dentists will be able to open. I have a broken tooth and I am desperate to fix it!

“The British Dental Association told us on Monday that they are in almost daily contact with the NHS and with ministers, but said that at this time they do not have a time frame for when dentists reopen to start operating normally.

“Dentists currently provide a phone service, through which they can provide antibiotics, pain relievers, and counseling as needed.

“Patients with very serious problems are being referred to urgent care centers for treatment, but there are only about 200 in the country and they have a very limited capacity, so only the most urgent cases are referred.

“Unfortunately, a broken tooth doesn’t necessarily qualify you for treatment at an urgent care center, but talk to your dentist or the NHS 111 if you’re concerned, or in extreme pain, or if your face is swollen.”

Maggie: When can hairdressers get back to work? Can they start now or in June?

“Although many of us are very interested in hairdressers starting work again, they cannot reopen at this time.

“The personal care sector, which includes beauty salons, tattoos and nails, has particular proximity problems.

“The new schedule in England means that salons there will only be considered for a gradual reopening from 4 July ‘at the earliest.’

“The schedules for the reopening of hairdressers in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland have not been published.”

Samantha and Lewis: After the Prime Minister’s speech, is it safe to say that the weddings planned for May and June are now canceled? Our wedding will be held on June 19 with approximately 140 guests. The place has been insisting that it go ahead.

“Weddings have been suspended since March due to a ban on meetings of more than two people.

“There was no specific update in the prime minister’s speech last night, but the full document the government released this afternoon gives more information about it.”

“The government has asked Sage, the group of scientists advising on many of these restrictions, to look at how they could allow for slightly larger group meetings so that small weddings can take place.

“The government says its goal is to allow” small wedding ceremonies starting June 1. “

“However, they don’t give a definition of ‘small’, so 140 is likely to be too large a meeting.

“You may need to speak to your place after that update.”

Sue and David: When can we attend our church services? Social distancing will not be a problem.

“The government has now made it clear that opening places of worship in England will not be considered until July 4 at the latest.

“As you said, even then social distancing is likely to be an important consideration.

“Northern Ireland is reportedly considering new guidelines to allow individual prayer in churches, and we may have an update on that on Tuesday.

“Scotland and Wales have not released information on when they might consider reopening places of worship.”

Sarah: I am a residential cleaner; After Sunday’s announcement, I’m still confused about whether or not I should go back to work. The message encouraged people who cannot work from home to return to work, but does this include going to other people’s houses?

“On Monday, the government specified that in England, cleaners who work in people’s homes can go back to work.”

“However, remember that mixing with people from other homes carries risks, so it is important to think carefully about whether you will be able to maintain a safe social distance while working in other people’s homes.”

“You and your employers must have a clear plan to make sure they can stay within two meters of everyone else at all times.

“Very importantly, if someone in the houses you are waiting to enter is protecting themselves or is particularly vulnerable to the coronavirus, or if you or they are showing symptoms of Covid-19, the clear advice is that you absolutely should not go in.”

Kirsty: The Prime Minister said that if you can’t work from home, then you should go to work. How does this affect driving instructors and driving school businesses? They can’t teach from home, but how are they supposed to go back to work when they have to keep two meters away from others?

“Monday’s new guidelines for England reinforce that, in general, you should not share a private vehicle with anyone from a different home, and clearly you cannot be within two meters of someone you are teaching to drive.”

“For those reasons, instructors were urged to stop teaching lessons, and that advice continues.

“However, there is an exemption for instructors who give lessons to people whose work is critical to the coronavirus response.

“If this leaves you unable to work, there are options available to you.

“If you’re employed by someone else, it’s worth talking to your bosses about whether they’re prepared to put you on leave for the time you can’t work.”

“This means that 80% of your salary will be paid through a government grant while you are at home.

“If you are self-employed, you might consider whether you qualify for the Self-Employment Income Support Plan, where the government provides a taxable grant of 80% of your average monthly earnings.”

Dave: I work for one of the largest confectionery companies in the world. Is it correct that the government has said that employers must allow us to transfer annual vacations because Covid-19 means we cannot take them? My company has told us that apart from what we are normally allowed to move, we will miss any other holidays.

“The new temporary regulations went into effect in March, allowing four weeks of annual leave to be renewed for up to two years if you have been unable to take a vacation as a result of the coronavirus.

“However, workers are encouraged to take annual vacations if they can, and remember, employers still have the right to tell workers when to take vacations.

“The rule is that your employer must notify you at least twice as many days in advance as the days you will be free.

“That means that if they want you to leave with five days’ leave, they must notify you 10 days in advance.”

Emma: Can you tell me when we can go out to dinner at a restaurant or pub?

“The prime minister referred to ‘dark pubs and restaurants’ as a sign of what is missing millions.

“But the government won’t even consider reopening in the hotel industry until July 4, and only then if they are safe and enforce social distancing.”

“Without guarantees, without a firm date.

“There is no end to the unexpected longing for some pub food!”

Mark: The Prime Minister said you can now use your car to travel further, does the same apply to your motorcycle? I need to go out for a walk for my sanity.

“The Prime Minister announced Sunday night that people in England can now drive to exercise destinations.

“A motorcycle counts as a private vehicle and can be used where a car would be, that is, for the essentials, such as shopping, traveling to work or exercising.

“On Tuesday, the transport secretary will make a statement in Parliament on whether motorcycles and cars can be used only for a leisure trip, at the moment they cannot be used.”

Anonymous: When can we go on our touring caravan in the UK?

“Although the good weather we had over the weekend makes this an attractive prospect, the advice on camping and visiting vacation homes has not changed, they still tell us ‘don’t do it.’

“From Wednesday, if you live in England, you can travel to other destinations within England for exercise or for day trips outdoors, but not for a holiday.

“Remember that Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland still have stricter rules, so you should not cross borders to any of the delegated nations to visit or exercise.”

• Coronavirus: Questions and Answers air every Monday at 8 p.m. on ITV; You can also view them here.

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