Guidance for Christmas parties

The Trust has seen demand and pressures like never  before throughout 2021 and as Christmas approaches EEAST understands that staff will wish to celebrate with each other. However, the Covid-19 pandemic is still very much ongoing and it is important that we continue to protect ourselves and those that we serve.

Gatherings of large staff groups having contact outside of work whilst they celebrate the festive season alongside large volumes of the public is likely to increase the risk of staff sickness and increase risk of staff-to-staff transmission in the workplace.

 From an infection control perspective, a good risk reduction measure is not have gatherings at all, but the Trust recognises that parties will happen but to give you a real example of the risk that all of EEAST faces. The COVID Team has been dealing with the first Christmas party, where with the best of intentions mixed with alcohol resulted in close contact for prolonged periods which has resulted in two positive cases, 13 staff stood down and a between EEAST and the ED department over a hundred staff needed a PCR test. The impact on this area to deliver either of the services are severely compromised and nobody would want our Christmas party to render this result.

Therefore, the following guidance has been put together to help staff make safer choices during this time, to help protect themselves, their loved ones, their colleagues, and the community that we serve.

In the workplace

• Whilst in work, Covid secure measures remain in place and must be followed on Trust premises.
• Continue to check temperatures and be vigilance regarding symptoms.
• No gatherings are allowed on stations, only essential staff should be working on Trust sites.
• Food sharing and communal food is prohibited on Trust sites.
• Ensure to notify your manager, if you become symptomatic or are made aware you are a contact of a symptomatic/COVID positive person.

 In preparation for your party

• The organiser of the party will contact their LOM/AGM to discuss the arrangements for the party
• LOM/AGM and organiser will look at what mitigation can be put in place to consider potential mitigation and protection of staff group.

 

Considerations and recommendations for outside of the workplace

• Make sure you are vaccinated and up to date on any booster that is available. Flu information available here
• Consider the venues for gatherings and if possible choose places that can operate safely in open ventilated spaces or a well ventilated room.
• Before attending a Christmas party complete a lateral flow test. These are available from pharmacies or the government ordering portal.
• Do not attend if you are symptomatic, test positive or have been in contact with some that is.
• Continue to lateral flow test regularly following the party for 10 days.
• Make sure you sanitise your hands
• Consider celebrating in smaller groups to enable resilience within your team should the group become unwell or need to isolate. Consider the teams you work in.
• Consider wearing masks in crowded spaces outside of the workplace, and always wear masks when moving around Trust sites.
• Ensure to notify your manager, if you become symptomatic or are made aware you are a contact of a symptomatic/COVID positive person.

 

EEAST thanks you for abiding by the guidelines and wishes you the best of the seasons greetings.

Published 3rd December 2021