PHTM COVID-19 BULLETIN Page Header
Over the last few weeks we have received numerous enquiries from PHTM readers, requesting guidance on the COVID-19 situation and how it may impact members of our industry. In light of the daily dramatically changing status of the virus, and its spread both throughout the UK and internationally, we thought it wise to pass on a series of trade-specific tips and suggestions we’ve gathered both from Government sources and licence holders themselves, as to how to carry on your business as safely as possible for drivers and passengers alike.
FACTS NOT FICTION A GUIDE FOR OUR TRADE IN DIFFICULT TIMES THE COVID-19 VIRUS
1. Symptoms: iinclude high fever (38.6°C or 100.4°F), prolonged dry cough and a noticeable shortness of breath, often accompanied by extreme muscular pain and/or loss of taste and smell. In addition, some patients also have a sore throat, running or blocked nose or a stomach upset. Diarrhoea does occur in some cases.
2. High Risk: from the virus: the elderly and those with pre-existing medical conditions such as high blood pressure, diabetes, heart or respiratory conditions, or a suppressed immune system.
3. Lower Risk: from the virus: The young and those in good health may get sick but should recover in a few days, according to the World Health Organisation
4. Covid-19: is a virus and so is NOT treatable with antibiotics and at present there is NO vaccine.
5. Incubation Period: this can be between two and 14 days, but the average incubation period is around five days before symptoms appear.
6. Facemasks: no guarantee you won’t get sick.
7. Transmission: the virus is conveyed via droplets which are passed on by coughing and sneezing, and subsequent contact with hard surfaces where it can remain ‘live’ for up to 72 hours. Therefore it is crucial that you do not touch your face, nose or eyes until you have thoroughly washed your hands.
DIFFERENCES BETWEEN COVID-19 THE FLU OR THE COMMON COLD
As you’ve been instructed not to go to your GP surgery or A&E, how do you know
114
whether you’ve got common cold, flu, or COVID-19? Symptoms of all three of these illnesses can mirror each other, so it is important to understand the differences between them.
Common cold: Starts out with a sore or scratchy throat, cough, sneezing, runny nose, stuffy nose – and any fever is usually mild. Ordinarily a cold will disappear within a week at the outside.
Typical ‘ordinary’ flu: Flu symptoms are more intense and usually come on suddenly. They can include a high fever (over 100.5 degrees), extreme exhaustion, muscle or body aches, a dry cough and chills. "It really hits you like a bus," and people may start a day well but feel terrible by afternoon. Flu symptoms can include a runny or stuffy nose, headaches and possibly vomiting or diarrhoea, though the latter two are more common in children than adults.
Covid-19: The newest of several coronavirus strains, having established a stranglehold in China in December 2019, symptoms of COVID-19 may appear more slowly. They usually include fever, a dry cough and noticeable shortness of breath, often accompanied by extreme muscular pain, according to the World Health Organisation.
A minority of cases develop pneumonia, and the disease is especially worrisome for the elderly and those with other medical problems such as high blood pressure, obesity, diabetes, heart or respiratory conditions. It is these groups who have been instructed by the government to self-isolate as best as possible.
All three of these diseases are coronaviruses, and none of them is treatable by antibiotics. One of the major differences is the speed of onset of each of these illnesses: colds and flu
present themselves within two or three days of having contracted the virus; with COVID- 19 the incubation period can be 14 days or longer.
IF YOU THINK YOU’VE GOT COVID-19
If you have any of the symptoms of coronavirus, such as a cough, high temperature or shortness of breath, it is important you follow the NHS guidelines to protect yourself and prevent the spread of the virus.
IF YOU’VE GOT COVID-19
If you have coronavirus you are entitled to your workplace’s usual sick leave and pay entitlements as an employee.
You would usually have to supply a sick note or fit note from a doctor to do this. But you will now be able to get a sick note by calling the NHS 111 phone line.
IF YOU’VE BEEN TOLD TO SELF-ISOLATE
If you have been to an affected area, been in close contact with someone who has coronavirus, or are waiting for coronavirus test results, you must self-isolate yourself for 14 days.
If you have a persistent cough, fever or flu- like symptoms you should self-isolate for seven days.
You will now be entitled to claim Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) if you’re self-isolating and will be able to get a sick note or fit note by calling NHS 111 if employed.
If you need to claim benefits such as Universal Credit, you will no longer have to attend a jobcentre if you’ve been advised to self-isolate (see under self-employed sick pay and benefits for the links).
APRIL 2020
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76 |
Page 77 |
Page 78 |
Page 79 |
Page 80 |
Page 81 |
Page 82 |
Page 83 |
Page 84 |
Page 85 |
Page 86 |
Page 87 |
Page 88 |
Page 89 |
Page 90 |
Page 91 |
Page 92 |
Page 93 |
Page 94 |
Page 95 |
Page 96 |
Page 97 |
Page 98 |
Page 99 |
Page 100 |
Page 101 |
Page 102 |
Page 103 |
Page 104 |
Page 105 |
Page 106 |
Page 107 |
Page 108 |
Page 109 |
Page 110 |
Page 111 |
Page 112
