Ibec, representing Irish business, has welcomed the publication by Government of the Transitional Protocol, following consultation with the Labour Employer Economic Forum (LEEF ) Consultative Group on the Work Safely Protocol.
“The removal of the majority of public health restrictions announced on January 24 was widely welcomed but did give rise to many questions by the business community, primarily on effectively managing a safe and phased return to the workplace.
"This Transitional Protocol provides excellent guidance for planning and implementing the safe return to working across all industries and sectors following the removal of most public health restrictions. It recognises the necessity of autonomy for businesses in planning for their individual company needs, along with the importance of personal responsibility that we all bear in continuing to prevent the spread of Covid-19.
"The updated guidance clearly reflects the fact that Covid-19 continues to be present in our communities. Therefore, the phased return to office working or the removal of public health restrictions such as physical distancing must be considered in line with obligations under existing Safety, Health and Welfare legislation to provide a safe place of work.
"Ibec encourages employers in the weeks ahead in planning to give effect to the updated guidance, in line with their own Covid-19 risk management and safety requirements to meet the pace of return in their organisation and in consultation with their own teams," Ibec Director of Employer Relations, Maeve McElwee, said.
