MPs back compulsory vaccines for care home workers in England

MPs have approved compulsory vaccines for care home staff in England, despite protests from some Conservatives.

From October, anyone working in a Care Quality Commission-registered care home in England must have two vaccine doses unless they have a medical exemption.

Meanwhile, hospitals, GPs and other health providers will still be able to require patients and visitors to wear masks unless they are exempt, after Public Health England (PHE) said existing guidance on Covid infection control will continue beyond 19th July.

Health providers have been pressing the government for clarity on the status of face coverings in hospitals and GP surgeries when legal requirements on mask-wearing will be lifted, with the NHS Confederation saying it wants mandatory mask-wearing to continue.

Back to the office

Rules on working from home if possible will also be dropped in England on 19th July, but many large businesses, the majority of whom had already announced their plans for post-Covid working, including hybrid working, are maintaining a cautious approach to bringing staff back to the office.

Meanwhile, Kathleen Healy, a partner at Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer, has told the Telegraph that it is “almost inevitable” that employers will face an increase in grievances and litigation from employees under the new guidance. Linklaters employment partner Sinead Casey told the paper that businesses could face legal claims for unfair dismissal or if employees resign because they don’t think the health measures in place are appropriate.

In other news, hospitality and retail bosses have warned MPs that one in five high street workers are self-isolating after being notified that they have come into contact with someone who has tested positive for Covid-19.

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