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<p>Throughout the pandemic, all Civil Service employers including the Attorney General’s
Office (AGO), Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) Serious Fraud Office (SFO), Government
Legal Department (GLD) and Her Majesties Crown Prosecution Service Inspectorate (HMCPSI)
have followed government guidance in setting out their internal COVID-19 related policies.
This includes complying with the<a href="https://www.gov.uk/guidance/working-safely-during-covid-19"
target="_blank"> Working Safely during Coronavirus (COVID-19): Guidance</a> which
sets out the key actions organisations should take to protect employees and customers
in order to reduce the risk of COVID-19 spreading in workplaces, along with carrying
out<a href="https://www.hse.gov.uk/coronavirus/working-safely/risk-assessment.htm"
target="_blank"> health and safety risk assessments</a> that include the ongoing risk
from COVID-19.</p><p> </p><p>The Government’s recent <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-response-living-with-covid-19"
target="_blank"><em>Living with COVID-19</em></a> document, sets out how and when
the remaining restrictions will be lifted in England. Government guidance was subsequently
amended, including the <em>Working Safely </em>guidance. Which alongside risk assessments,
sets out further actions organisations can take to protect employees and customers
in the workplace, such as ensuring adequate ventilation, frequent cleaning and asking
people with COVID-19 to stay home. The guidance advises that people continue to wear
face coverings in crowded and enclosed settings where they come into contact with
people they do not normally meet, when rates of transmission are high. Employers will
continue to align their policies accordingly. Should individuals wish to wear masks
as a matter of personal choice this should be respected.</p><p>In respect to the SFO
estate, The Canadian High Commission (CHC), in their capacity as landlord, have requested
SFO employees, contractors and visitors continue to wear face coverings in the common
areas of 2 – 4 Cockspur Street. This includes the lobby, lifts, stairs, toilets, and
reception.</p><p> </p>
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