The World Health Organisation has increased the pandemic alert to level 6, which means that swine flu is now spreading in communities in several countries.
This increase in status is based on the global spread of the virus rather than the severity, and does not change the UK’s assessment that the virus is mild in most people.
The Government has been preparing for a flu pandemic for the past five years working at a local, regional and national level, and all NHS organisations have pandemic flu plans in place.
Work is continuing to slow the spread of the disease.
Advice for citizens
For the latest information and updates about swine flu, health and travel advice, visit: www.direct.gov.uk/swineflu
Advice for businesses
- Businesses can find further information and guidance on swine flu at Business Link
- Businesses should think about and plan for possible swine flu outbreak as they do all health and safety issues generally
- Employers should make their own individual judgements
- Closures should be considered on a case by case basis - no set rules for dealing with something like this. Rules would create more problems than solutions
- Now is a good time to review your business contingency plan. If you don’t have one, follow the link below for information about developing one:
In addition, there is guidance already available for employers on planning for a pandemic influenza outbreak:
Summary of available guidance on planning for influenza pandemic
Advice for higher and further education institutions
Download the latest guidance for higher and further education institutions
