Plan B – NALC Update

Please see below some guidance from the NALC legal team. Further guidance will be issued as things develop and become clearer.

Yesterday evening, 8 December, the Prime Minister announced a move to Plan B in England following the rapid spread of the Omicron variant in the UK.

The government last night issued guidance https://www.gov.uk/government/news/prime-minister-confirms-move-to-plan-b-in-england and expects to issue more guidance and regulations in the coming days. We will update as and when we have the information. For member councils we note in particular the following:

From Monday 13 December, those who can will be advised to work from home. We already advise that clerks and staff can attend council meetings remotely. The Plan B guidance does not bring back the ability to hold remote meetings.  We therefore suggest that councils consider not meeting in December.

The guidance says “From Friday 10 December, face coverings will become compulsory in most public indoor venues, such as cinemas, theatres and places of worship. There will be exemptions in venues where it is not practical to wear one, such as when you are eating, drinking or exercising. For that reason, face masks will not be required in hospitality settings”. 

We await further information on the meaning of “most public indoor venues”.