News

SGC Security Services has been approved by Crown Commercial Services as an approved supplier to the public sector maintains its services during the Coronavirus COVID-19 outbreak.

We have been approved to supply the following services throughout the UK.

• Security Staff
• Mobile Patrols
• Crowd Safety
• Control Room Services
• CCTV Staff

Crown Commercial Services plays an important role in helping the UK public sector save money when buying common goods and services.

We are the biggest public procurement organisation in the UK. We use our commercial expertise to help buyers in central government and across the public and third sectors to purchase everything from locum doctors and laptops to police cars and electricity.

 

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Our management team at SGC Security Services are trying there best to carry out site visits to ensure our staff are safe and well.

We have now introduced a ring round service and our 24-hour control room will be calling our staff and also Skype video during the day and evenings to increase our standard lone worker welfare checks ensuring that our staff are safe and well.

We are keeping to our emergency business pledge to ensure visits are carried out in a safe manner and the focus is to continue supporting our staff on the ground.

 

 

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In these times of uncertainty, you need a security partner you can trust nationwide SGC Security Services is a market leader within the private security industry. Offering advice, support and partnership to our clients for many years, now more than ever our expertise is being called upon to protect People, Property and Assets. Right at the core of our business is our people right from Guidance and Management of Paul Macarthur our Managing Director through our operations team to our officers on the ground we all have the same desire protect our client’s property, people and assets.

 

 

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26^th March 2020

COVID-19 Company update

Dear SGC Colleague

We would like to update you in terms of the latest Government announcements and hopefully answer some of your questions SGC Security Services is still operating and supporting our staff and clients we want you all to remain safe and well at all times and we are here to support you through these troubling times. We will all play a major part to ensure we eradicate the COVID-19 viruses and continue to ensure the UK is always moving in the right direction keeping people and assets safe and protected.  We strongly recommend you keep in contact daily with the control room also checking your Emails, Gallinet, App WhatsApp Message’s as work is available we will do our very best to support you through these times with reduced shifts/ hours based on child care and looking after a vulnerable person within your family. You can also consult your company handbook and welcome pack for further information.

SSP

You can get £94.25 per week Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) if you’re too ill to work. It’s paid by your employer for up to 28 weeks. You need to qualify for SSP and have been off work sick for 4 or more days in a row (including non-working days). You cannot get less than the statutory amount. You can get more if your company has a sick pay scheme (or ‘occupational scheme’) – check your employment contract. SSP start date the government is legislating for SSP to be paid from day 1, rather than day 4, of your absence from work if you are absent from work due to sickness or need to stay at home due to COVID-19. Once the legislation has been passed, this will apply retrospectively from 13 March 2020

Proof of sickness

If you’re self-isolating because of coronavirus (COVID-19), you can get SSP if you’re eligible. You should tell your employer as soon as possible and complete online the 111.nhs.uk Please send a copy of the completed form to HR and payroll.

Furloughed workers 

Unless you have been laid off from work and have received an email with a letter from HR which currently no employee at SGC Security Services based on a front line role SIA or Stewarding role has been issued, as we are continuing to offer work across the UK. Based on this you are not illegible under the Government proposed scheme of receiving any pay 80% or a cap of £2,500 per month. If SGC Security Services sends you an email with a covering Furloughed workers letter, then SGC Security Services can claim for the proposed Government scheme which is still not in place as of today’s letter 26^th March 2020.

Staying at home

If you have symptoms of coronavirus infection (COVID-19), however mild, stay at home and do not leave your house for 7 days from when your symptoms started. If you live with others and you are the first in the household to have symptoms of coronavirus, then you must stay at home for 7 days, but all other household members who remain well must stay at home and not leave the house for 14 days. The 14-day period starts from the day when the first person in the house became ill.

Claiming benefits

Whether you are currently in or out of work, if you are on a low income and affected by the economic impacts of COVID-19, you will be able to access the full range of the welfare system, including Universal Credit. From 6 April the Government are increasing the standard allowance in Universal Credit and the basic element in Working Tax Credit for 1 year. Both will increase by £20 per week on top of planned annual uprating. This will apply to all new and existing Universal Credit claimants and to existing Working Tax Credit claimants.

Key Worker Status

SIA staff and Stewards are now treated as key workers if you are deployed on any of the following sites. Security provision in hospitals; social care; courts; government estate; supermarkets and the food supply chain; the transport network; national infrastructure and utilities to name but a few. If you are providing essential security/ stewarding to a service which itself remains critical and functioning, which attracts key worker status, then you are likely to be covered.

If you have COVID-19 or are staying at home

You are now able to claim Universal Credit, and if required can access advance payments upfront without needing to attend a jobcentre.

Support for rent costs

You should check your eligibility for Universal Credit, which is available for people in and out of work. Support for rental costs will be paid through Universal Credit. From April, the Government are increasing Local Housing Allowance rates to the 30th percentile of market rents. This applies to all private renters who are new or existing Universal Credit housing element claimants and to existing Housing Benefit claimants

Going to work

You should work from home unless it is impossible for you to do so. Sometimes this will not be possible, as not everyone can work from home. Certain jobs require people to travel to their place of work – for instance, if you operate machinery, work in construction or manufacturing, Security, Crowd Safety or are delivering front line services.

Stay at home

• Only go outside for food, health reasons or work (where this absolutely cannot be done from home)
• Stay 2 metres (6ft) away from other people
• Wash your hands as soon as you get home

Do

• wash your hands with soap and water often – do this for at least 20 seconds
• use hand sanitiser gel if soap and water are not available
• wash your hands as soon as you get back home
• cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or your sleeve (not your hands) when you cough or sneeze
• put used tissues in the bin immediately and wash your hands afterwards 

Don’t

• do not touch your eyes, nose or mouth if your hands are not clean

Looking after your health and wellbeing

To help yourself stay well while you’re at home:

• stay in touch with family and friends over the phone or on social media
• try to keep yourself busy – you could try activities like cooking, reading, online learning and watching films
• do light exercise at home, or outside once a day

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Coronavirus (COVID-19)

What is Coronavirus (COVID 19)?

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is an infectious disease caused by the virus strain severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2. The worldwide spread of the disease began for the first time in 2019 and has developed into the 2019–20 coronavirus pandemic. Common symptoms include fever, cough, and shortness of breath. Muscle pain, sputum production, and sore throat are some of the less common symptoms. While the majority of cases result in mild symptoms,  some progress to pneumonia and multi-organ failure. The case fatality rate is estimated at between 1% and 5% but varies by age and other health conditions.

The infection is spread from one person to others via respiratory droplets produced from the airways, often during coughing. Time from exposure to onset of symptoms is generally between two and 14 days, with an average of five days. The standard method of diagnosis is by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction from a nasopharyngeal swab or sputum sample. Antibody assays can also be used, using a blood serum sample, with results within a few days. The infection can also be diagnosed from a combination of symptoms, risk factors and a chest CT scan showing features of pneumonia.

What’s the risk of coronavirus in the UK?

The UK Chief Medical Officers have raised the risk to the public from low to moderate.

Health professionals are working to contact anyone who has been in close contact with people who have coronavirus.

What’s the risk of coronavirus for travellers?

There are some countries and areas where there’s a higher chance of coming into contact with someone with coronavirus.

Symptoms of coronavirus

The symptoms of coronavirus are:

• a cough
• a high temperature
• shortness of breath

 

But these symptoms do not necessarily mean you have the illness.

The symptoms are similar to other illnesses that are much more common, such as cold and flu.

How coronavirus is spread

Because it’s a new illness, we do not know exactly how coronavirus spreads from person to person.

Similar viruses are spread in cough droplets.

It’s very unlikely it can be spread through things like packages or food.

Do I need to avoid public places?

Most people can continue to go to work, school and other public places.

You only need to stay away from public places (self-isolate) if advised to by the 111 online coronavirus service or a medical professional.

How to avoid catching or spreading coronavirus

Do’s

• wash your hands with soap and water often – do this for at least 20 seconds
• always wash your hands when you get home or into work
• use hand sanitiser gel if soap and water are not available
• cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or your sleeve (not your hands) when you cough or sneeze
• put used tissues in the bin straight away and wash your hands afterwards
• try to avoid close contact with people who are unwell

Don’ts

• do not touch your eyes, nose or mouth if your hands are not clean

 Check if you need medical help

NHS 111 has an online coronavirus service that can tell you if you need medical help and advise you what to do.

Use this service if:

• you think you might have coronavirus
• in the last 14 days, you’ve been to a country or area with a high risk of coronavirus
• you’ve been in close contact with someone with coronavirus

Use the 111 coronavirus service

Information:

Do not go to a GP surgery, pharmacy or hospital. Call 111 if you need to speak to someone.

 How to self-isolate if you’re asked to

If there’s a chance you could have coronavirus, you may be asked to stay away from other people (self-isolate).

This means you should:

• stay at home
• not go to work, school or public places
• do not use public transport or taxis
• ask friends, family members or delivery services to do errands for you
• try to avoid visitors to your home – it’s OK for friends, family or delivery drivers to drop off food

You may need to do this for up to 14 days to help reduce the possible spread of infection.

Treatment for coronavirus

There is currently no specific treatment for coronavirus.

Antibiotics do not help, as they do not work against viruses.

Treatment aims to relieve the symptoms while your body fights the illness.

You’ll need to stay in isolation away from other people until you’ve recovered.

Washing Hands

When should your hands be washed: –

• Before, during, and after preparing food
• Before eating food
• Before and after caring for someone at home who is sick with vomiting or diarrhea
• Before and after treating a cut or wound
• After using the toilet
• After changing nappies or cleaning up a child who has used the toilet
• After blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing
• After touching an animal, animal feed, or animal waste
• After handling pet food or pet treats
• After touching rubbish

Follow Five Steps to Wash Your Hands the Right Way

Washing your hands is easy, and it’s one of the most effective ways to prevent the spread of germs. Clean hands can stop germs from spreading from one person to another and throughout an entire community—from your home and workplace to childcare facilities and hospitals.

Follow these five steps every time.

1. Wet your hands with clean, running water (warm or cold), turn off the tap, and apply soap.
2. Lather your hands by rubbing them together with the soap. Lather the backs of your hands, between your fingers, and under your nails.
3. Scrub your hands for at least 20 seconds. Need a timer? Hum the “Happy Birthday” song from beginning to end twice.
4. Rinse your hands well under clean, running water.
5. Dry your hands using a clean towel or air dry them.

Use of Hand Sanitizers When You Can’t Use Soap and Water

Washing hands with soap and water is the best way to get rid of germs in most situations. If soap and water are not readily available, you can use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol. You can tell if the sanitizer contains at least 60% alcohol by looking at the product label.

Sanitizers can quickly reduce the number of germs on hands in many situations. However,

• Sanitizers do not get rid of all types of germs.
• Hand sanitizers may not be as effective when hands are visibly dirty or greasy.
• Hand sanitizers might not remove harmful chemicals from hands like pesticides and heavy metals

How to Use Hand Sanitisers

• Apply the gel product to the palm of one hand (read the label to learn the correct amount).
• Rub your hands together.
• Rub the gel over all the surfaces of your hands and fingers until your hands are dry. This should take around 20 seconds.

Whilst on duty:-

All Personnel should adopt the following practises whilst on duty at any location

• Greetings
  • Personnel should try to avoid handshaking or any other forms of physical contact when greeting colleagues, clients and members of the public.
  • Use either hand gestures such as waving or verbal greetings
• Patrols
  • All personnel should ensure that they us the correct hand washing procedure before their patrol
  • Where possible use Hand Sanitisers as they go around their patrol route
  • Ensure that on return the correct hand wash procedure is used
• Workstations
  • All workstations must be cleaned down at the end of your duty
  • All phones, keyboards and computer mouse should be wiped down with Antibacterial where possible
• Ensure that Good Personal Hygiene is maintained

If someone becomes unwell at work

If someone becomes unwell in the workplace and has recently come back from an area affected by coronavirus, they should:

• get at least 2 metres (7 feet) away from other people
• go to a room or area behind a closed door, such as a sickbay or staff office
• avoid touching anything
• cough or sneeze into a tissue and put it in a bin, or if they do not have tissues, cough and sneeze into the crook of their elbow
• use a separate bathroom from others, if possible

The unwell person should use their own mobile phone to call either:

• 111, for NHS advice
• 999, if they’re seriously ill or injured or their life is at risk

They should tell the operator:

• their symptoms
• which country they’ve returned from in the last 14 days

If someone with coronavirus comes to work

If someone with coronavirus comes to work, the workplace does not necessarily have to close.

The local Public Health England (PHE) health protection team will get in contact with the employer to:

• discuss the case
• identify people who have been in contact with the affected person
• carry out a risk assessment
• advise on any actions or precautions to take

Find out more about PHE health protection teams on GOV.UK.

The process may be different in Scotland and Wales. For more advice, see:

If someone has to go into self-isolation

The government has stated that if NHS 111 or a doctor advises an employee or worker to self-isolate, they should receive any Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) due to them. If the employer offers contractual sick pay, it’s good practice to pay this.

The employee must tell their employer as soon as possible if they cannot work. They should tell their employer the reason and how long they’re likely to be off for. The employer might need to be flexible if they require evidence from the employee or worker. For example, someone might not be able to provide a sick note (‘fit note’) if they’ve been told to self-isolate for 14 days.

If employees do not want to go to work

Some people might feel they do not want to go to work if they’re afraid of catching coronavirus.

If an employee still does not want to go in, they may be able to arrange with their employer to take the time off as holiday or unpaid leave. If they are entitled to holiday pay or accrued holiday pay. The employer does not have to agree to this.

If an employee refuses to attend work, it could result in disciplinary action.

 

Stadium/Event Space Advice

 

Category	Criteria	Locations	Action
A	·         Do you feel unwell ·         Are you experiencing cold/flu or fever symptoms ·         Have had contact with someone from any of the known locations to the right column	·         Iran, ·         Specific lockdown areas in Northern Italy, ·         Korea, ·         Hubei province China ·         Vietnam ·         Cambodia ·         Laos ·         Myanmar (Burma) ·         Hong Kong ·         Thailand ·         Japan ·         Taiwan ·         Singapore ·         Malaysia ·         Macau ·         Tenerife – only the H10 Costa Adeje Palace Hotel	Do not travel to the stadium, stay at home and self-isolate, call the non-emergency medical helpline 111 and seek medical advice.
	·         Have you returned from any of the listed areas (in the right column) since 19th Feb?	·         Iran, ·         Specific lockdown areas in Northern Italy, ·         Korea, ·         Hubei province China	Do not travel to the stadium, stay at home and self-isolate, call the non-emergency medical helpline 111 and seek medical advice.
	·         Have returned from any of the listed areas (in the right column) since February 19th and developed flu/fever symptoms, however mild?	·         Vietnam ·         Cambodia ·         Laos ·         Myanmar (Burma) ·         Hong Kong ·         Thailand ·         Japan ·         Taiwan ·         Singapore ·         Malaysia ·         Macau ·         Tenerife – only the H10 Costa Adeje Palace Hotel	Do not travel to the stadium, stay at home and self-isolate, call the non-emergency medical helpline 111 and seek medical advice.
B	·         Are you experiencing flu/cold symptoms and have not been in contact with anyone with confirmed COVID-19  or travelled from any of the identified locations in section A above?		Continue as normal
	·         Are you feeling well without any adverse symptoms and not been in contact with anyone with confirmed COVID-19  or travelled from any of the identified locations in section A above?		Continue as normal

 

If you have any concerns, please call our 24-hour Control Centre on 0330 053 5686

Email HR@sgcsecurityservices.co.uk 

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