We’ve heard from a number of members seeking clarity regarding the government’s latest guidance and hope the information below proves helpful.
This is guidance that applies to England only. If you live in an area where local restrictions are in place you should also consult the local restrictions guidance, for information about what you can and can’t do to manage the outbreak. You should pay regular visits to www.gov.uk for the most up-to-date guidance.
To start off with, it is critical that everyone continues to observe what has become “key behaviours”:
Wash your hands regularly and for 20 seconds.
Wear a face covering on public transport, shops, and in indoor spaces where social distancing may be difficult. You must now wear a face covering by law unless you are exempt.
Stay 2 metres apart from people you do not live with where possible, or 1 metre with extra precautions in place (such as wearing face coverings or increasing ventilation indoors).
New restrictions introduced on 14th September – Rule of 6!
Limits on the number of people we can see socially have changed. When meeting friends and family you do not live with (or have formed a support bubble with) you must not meet in a group of more than 6, indoors or outdoors, to do so is against the law and could result in a fixed penalty notice of £100.00 issued by the police and any further breaches will attract fines up to a maximum of £3,200.
There are a number of exemptions to the above and the crucial ones where nannies are concerned are:
For work
Registered childcare, education, or training
Supervised activities provided for children, including wraparound care, youth groups and activities, and children’s playgroups
Organised sport or exercise classes or licensed outdoor physical activity. This does not include informal sport or fitness activity with family or friends - this must be limited to a group of 6
Where a group includes someone covered by such an exception (for example, someone who is working), they are not counted as part of the gatherings limit. This means - for example - a nanny can go into a household of six without breaching the limit, if they are there for work.
To see the complete list of exemptions, please go to https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-meeting-with-others-safely-social-distancing/coronavirus-covid-19-meeting-with-others-safely-social-distancing
So, to be clear, if you are employed as a nanny you are exempt from the new ‘Rule of 6’. Even if working in a large household you can still go to work. Your employer’s home is your workplace.
Remember, you are exempt while working in the home. Large gatherings outside are banned and therefore you need to be mindful of this if meeting up with other nannies and their charges in the park for playdates for example – you must not meet in a group of more than 6.
