The temporary measures published today will mean
seasonal poultry workers arriving from abroad will be
able to work during their 14-day quarantine period from
4am on 17 November. However, they will still be
required to self-isolate from the general public. To
avoid spreading the virus, they will be required to
form ‘cohorts’ meaning they only live and work with a
select group of the same workers during their stay and
they do not mix with other employees.
The decision, agreed by the Department for Transport,
the Department for Health and Social Care and Public
Health England, will ensure poultry farmers and food
producers, in particular turkey farmers, have access to
the necessary workforce to mitigate any potential risks
to Christmas food supply.
Each year around 5,500 seasonal workers arrive on
English farms to help during the busy festive period.
This includes slaughtering turkeys, a job that demands
high-skilled professional labour to ensure our animal
welfare standards are maintained.
Nevertheless the UK has a highly resilient food supply
chain which held up well in the spring, and will do so
again over the festive period. The Government continues
to work closely with food retailers and the food
industry to ensure it is prepared to deal with a range
of scenarios.
Transport Secretary, ,
said:
Christmas dinner is the highlight of the year for
many families and this year it will be particularly
significant.
Businesses up and down the country have faced
unprecedented challenges from Coronavirus and these
measures will ensure UK farmers and food producers
are supported and able to keep up with the Christmas
demand over the festive period.
Environment Secretary, ,
said:
It’s essential that farmers and food producers get
the support that they need at this busy time of year,
so it is good news that seasonal workers will be able
to get straight to work once they arrive in the
country.
The run-up to Christmas is particularly important for
farmers and food producers who need more workers on
their farms to meet the festive demand.
Seasonal workers will be required to comply with a
number of rigorous measures including:
- Self-isolating away from the general public for the
first 14 days – workers will stay in their
work/accommodation bubbles with food and other required
goods delivered to them by their employer
- Cohorting – workers will be placed in groups with
whom they will live and work, without mixing with other
workers, throughout their stay, to contain any
potential positive contacts
- Covid-secure guidance – workers and employers will
be provided with clear and translated guidance jointly
developed by Defra and PHE
- Time limit – all seasonal poultry workers are
required to leave England by 31 December 2020, at which
point the exemption will no longer be in force
National restrictions introduced on 5 November 2020
remain in place meaning everyone must stay at home
unless travelling for a very limited set of reasons,
including for work or education. This means people can
no longer travel to take holidays or travel
internationally – unless for work or other legally
permitted reasons. Those in breach of the rules face
penalties starting at £200 and rising to a maximum of
£6,400.
