UK-based ICMIF member Ecclesiastical Insurance is supporting organisations with a series of measures to help them transition out of lockdown and back to the workplace.

As the UK-wide lockdown begins to ease, organisations are beginning to consider what measures need to be in place to keep employees and customers safe.

As part of the transition to a new working environment, employees may need to continue working from home for an extended period.

To support organisations during this period, specialist insurer Ecclesiastical has extended its temporary cover enhancements introduced in April for another two months until the end of August.

The changes, introduced in response to the Government lockdown, ensure that Ecclesiastical’s customers are not unduly penalised for temporary closures solely due to the COVID-19 outbreak. Properties that have temporarily closed due to the pandemic will continue to be covered with no changes to premium or excess.

The temporary changes also provide cover for employees working from home, including contents taken to an employee’s home to help them work remotely due to COVID-19.

By extending the enhancements for a further 60 days, the mutual is providing continued cover for organisations while they transition back in line with Government advice.

To support them during this period, Ecclesiastical’s risk management experts have developed a guide to help businesses to plan for re-opening and what needs to be done before and after the doors to the business open.

The advice covers areas such as inspections of the premises, making sure that precautions are taken in line with the Covid-19 guidance published by Public Health England – including social distancing – and ensuring that all staff know about the changes before returning to the office.

Adrian Saunders (pictured), Commercial Director at Ecclesiastical, said: “We know that organisations across the country will be planning to get back to work as soon as possible once the lockdown ends – but it is critically important that they manage the risks and get it right.

“There isn’t a one size fits all approach, it will be about deciding how best to do this to fit with your own circumstances and protect staff and customers, while following Government advice. To help businesses to do this we have extended the enhanced cover we are providing for a further 60 days. This, alongside our risk guide, will provide businesses with the foundations to help support staff back into work in a safe environment and reduce the risk where possible.”

For more information on the temporary cover enhancements visit https://www.ecclesiastical.com/brokers/coronavirus/.

The guide to getting back to work after lockdown can be downloaded from the Ecclesiastical website at: www.ecclesiastical.com/risk-management/returning-to-work-after-lockdown/

Last month, Ecclesiastical announced that it had joined more than 250 firms globally in making a public commitment to tackle the effects of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic by signing the the C-19 Business Pledge.