CORONAVIRUS

Date Published: 4th Mar 2020

As reported cases of the coronavirus, Covid-19 continue to rise and our government announces plans to curb the spread of infection, we thought it might be worth consolidating some of this advice so that you can put in place the necessary measures to protect yourselves, your family, friends and colleagues.

TRAVEL RESTRICTIONS

Category 1 risk area

Travellers who have returned from or travelled through a category 1 risk area should self-isolate at home for 14 days after return to the UK if no symptoms are present. 

Should symptoms develop, immediately contact your GP or call NHS 24 on 111.

Category 2 risk area

Travellers who have returned from or travelled through a category 2 risk area can go about their normal daily activity if they show NO symptoms. 

Should symptoms develop, individuals should immediately contact your GP or call NHS 24 on 111.

A full list of risk areas is below.

HEALTH AND HYGIENE

It is also important to practice good hygiene and recommended that you follow these basic guidelines from the NHS

• Cover your mouth and nose when coughing and/or sneezing
• Bin your used tissue immediately
• Wash your hands regularly with soap and hot water for 20 seconds
• Avoid close contact with people who are unwell
• Avoid touching your face

Whilst we certainly recommend following the above guidelines, please remember not to panic. If you do develop coronavirus, simply treat it as you would the flu or any other respiratory virus. 

You’ll be given the necessary advice when you contact your GP or the NHS, but essentially you should get plenty of rest, keep hydrated & try to stay warm. 

FIRST AID SPECIFIC ADVICE

In addition, we’ve received the following information from our First Aid Awarding Body ITC First with regard to first aid qualification delivery;

• All Assessment Criteria must continue to be met, as per current resuscitation council guidelines i.e. Learners must demonstrate 30 Compressions to 2 Breaths (No breaths = no pass) and all other practical skills according to current specifications.
• All training centre’s must make sure that they employ Good Kit and Manikin hygiene which should be followed on every course being delivered. Consideration will be given to the use of separate lungs & separate manikin face for each learner, use of face-shields and ensure all bandages/wound dressings are washed or replaced after each session etc.
• Encouraging regular hand washing and/or use of antiseptic gels.

ITC First will not amend any assessment guidance until there is further guidance or a directive from the relevant UK Government Departments.

 

RESTRICTED AREAS

CATEGORY 1 RISK AREAS

China
Wuhan city and Hubei Province

South Korea
Daegu and Cheongdo

Italy – in North Italy only the following:
Bertonico, Casalpusterlengo, Castelgerundo, Castiglione D’Adda, Codogna (Lodi Province), Fombio, Maleo, San Fiorano, Somaglia and Terranova dei passerinie

Italy – town in the region of Veneto
Vo

Iran

CATEGORY 2 RISK AREAS

China
All other areas not category 1 including:
Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan

South Korea
All other areas not category 1

Italy
All other areas in North Italy (defined by a line above, and not including, Pia, Florence and Rimini) which are not category 1

Cambodia

Japan

Laos

Malaysia

Mayanmar

Singapore

Thailand

Vietnam