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<p>We continue to keep the Safer Working <a href="https://www.gov.uk/guidance/working-safely-during-coronavirus-covid-19/close-contact-services"
target="_blank">guidance</a> under constant review and will update the guidance in
line with new scientific evidence as it arises. Public Health England (PHE) and the
Health and Safety Executive have advised that there is currently no scientific evidence
to support changing the Safer Working guidance in light of the new variants.</p><p>
</p><p>PHE guidance states that Covid-19 spreads from person to person through small
droplets, aerosols and through direct contact. Surfaces and belongings can also be
contaminated with Covid-19 when people with the infection cough or sneeze or touch
them. The risk of spread is greatest when people are close to each other, especially
in poorly ventilated indoor spaces and when people spend a lot of time together in
the same room.</p><p> </p><p>Given that client waiting areas are high traffic with
frequent contact on common surface areas, we recommend not providing shared reading
materials to reduce transmission risk via surface contact. Individuals can bring their
own reading materials that they have purchased but we advise businesses to not provide
sharing copies due to the frequent change of hands.</p>
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