Hatstone Lawyers advised Team PLC

On Friday 18 December 2020, the Chief Minister announced that unless critical to the running of their business, islanders must work from home until further notice.

Revert to home working

Firms were asked to revert to home working, on the same basis as the essential employee’s scheme implemented in March 2020, albeit without the authorisation regime previously adopted.

Non-essential businesses were subsequently required to close.

The Government’s timetable for potential relaxation of current measures to manage COVID-19:

• Monday 18 January 2021 – STAC is due to meet to review the next stages. This may include the re-opening of non-essential businesses.
• Wednesday 20 January 2021 – STAC will present its recommendations to Ministers.
• Thursday 21 January 2021 – a further announcement will be made by Government.
• Monday 25 January 2021 – there may be a potential re-opening of non-essential businesses.

It is not yet clear whether the ‘working from home’ requirement will be lifted in line with the re-opening of non-essential businesses.

Guidance in this regard will be issued by the Law Society to firms as soon as the position has been confirmed by Government.