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The Transitional Protocol: Good Practice Guidance for Continuing to Prevent the Spread of COVID-19 at Work
The Transitional Protocol has been prepared to reflect the Government announcement on the 21 January 2022, which eased restrictive measures implemented due to COVID-19. The sudden announcement effectively brought an end to the requirement to continue to work from home where possible. As of 24 January 2022, employees can now return to the workplace on a phased basis.
The Transitional Protocol is a general document applicable to all sectors, which places a greater emphasis on ‘guidance’ and ‘best practice’ to support the safe return to work and safe operation of the workplace. In line with this, it has been emphasised that it is not designed to prohibit the introduction of specific measures in particular workplaces or sectors.
The Transitional Protocol sets out measures/steps to be followed by employers and employees to help prevent the spread of COVID-19 in workplaces, with specific detailed guidance in relation to:
- Keeping a COVID-19 Response in place;
- Maintaining policies and procedures for prompt identification and isolation of symptomatic workers;
- Maintaining COVID-19 Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) Measures ; and
- The role of the worker in the workplace and community settings.
- Protocol https://enterprise.gov.ie/en/Publications/Publication-files/Transitional-Protocol-Good-Practice-Guidance-for-Continuing-to-Prevent-the-Spread-of-COVID-19.pdf
- Press release https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/63ba6-transitional-protocol-good-practice-guidance-for-continuing-to-prevent-the-spread-of-covid-19/