How to keep safe at work during Covid-19
Government guidance for nannies during Covid-19 is that they are able to continue to work and help parents. This is because work as a nanny “can only be done in the workplace”.
However, it is important that everyone implements protective measures to keep themselves safe and to help prevent the spread of the virus in line with Public Health England guidance below:
Effective infection protection and control:
There are important actions that children their parents and those who work with them can take during the coronavirus outbreak.
In all settings, preventing the spread of coronavirus involves dealing with direct transmission (for instance, when in close contact with those sneezing and coughing) and indirect transmission (via touching contaminated surfaces).
A range of approaches and actions should be employed to prevent the spread of the virus including:
ensuring that those who have coronavirus symptoms, or who have someone in their household who does self isolate according to the Government advice
cleaning hands more often than usual - wash hands thoroughly for 20 seconds with running water and soap and dry them thoroughly or use alcohol hand rub or sanitiser ensuring that all parts of the hands are covered
cleaning hands on arrival at work, before and after eating, and after sneezing or coughing
using a tissue or elbow to cough or sneeze and use bins for tissue waste (‘catch it, bin it, kill it’)
everyone is encouraged not to touch their mouth, eyes and nose
cleaning frequently touched surfaces often using standard products, such as detergents and bleach
consider how to encourage young children to learn and practise these habits through games, songs and repetition
ensuring that bins for tissues are emptied throughout the day
where possible, all spaces should be well ventilated using natural ventilation (opening windows)
wearing a face covering or face mask is not recommended
face coverings may be beneficial for short periods indoors where there is a risk of close social contact with people you do not usually meet and where social distancing and other measures cannot be maintained, for example on public transport or in some shops
if a child becomes unwell with symptoms of coronavirus and needs direct personal care until their parents return home a fluid-resistant surgical face mask should be worn by the supervising adult if a distance of 2 metres cannot be maintained.
if contact with the child is necessary, then disposable gloves, a disposable apron and a fluid-resistant surgical face mask should be worn by the supervising adult. If there is a risk of splashing to the eyes, for example from coughing, spitting, or vomiting, then eye protection should also be worn
when a child, family member or a nanny develops symptoms compatible with coronavirus, they should self-isolate for 7 days. Their fellow household members should self-isolate for 14 days
if anyone in the household or a nanny develops a fever, or a new continuous cough, or a loss of, or change in, their normal sense of taste or smell (anosmia), they are advised to follow the COVID-19: guidance for households with possible coronavirus infection guidance
work or cycle to work if possible
follow safer travel guidance when using public transport
for more information about how to implement protective measures at workplace please click here: