Coronvirus and workers' living arrangements

There are some specific operational challenges for fruit and vegetable growers, such as on-site living accommodation, transporting of workers, on-site social and entertainment areas and the multilingual nature of the workforce.

On some farms, a large proportion of the workforce will travel to and from the farm every day and live off site. Many farms are set up to house seasonal workers on their sites with groups of people using shared facilities, such as showers, toilets, kitchens, communal areas and laundry facilities. Accommodation could also be provided in static caravans with their own kitchens and showers but with access to other communal areas. In these circumstances, groups of people are effectively living in the same household.

During the harvesting season, there may be a need to transport workers (LINK HERE) to fields separate from their accommodation or normal place of work, between different fields, or to and from shops to buy essential items.

If essential, you can organise as small a group of workers as possible into fixed groups, known as ‘cohorts’, that work and live together and do not mix with other groups. Where a cohort lives and works together, it can be considered as a ‘household’. Workers who travel to the farm each day could also be grouped into cohorts that always work together, although social distancing measures would still apply in the workplace. This practice is encouraged to minimise any potential spread of coronavirus, as well as to ensure maximum business continuity where symptoms are identified in an individual.

• The principles of social distancing (LINK HERE) should be used at all times
• If social distancing is not possible, consider using the social distancing in the workplace during coronavirus (COVID-19): sector guidance
• There is no set definition of a cohort in terms of group size (although there should preferably be as few people in a group as possible) or types of workers. Businesses may choose how best to apply cohorting in a proportionate way to accommodate risk factors relevant to their business

Every effort should be made to secure single-occupancy accommodation for workers. If single-occupancy accommodation is not possible, occupancy in each shared space should be as low as possible and organised in cohorts. Such cohorts should be as small as possible and kept separate from others.

• Face-to-face contact should be minimised as much as possible by introducing scheduled access, in cohorts, to shared facilities such as showers and kitchens
• Ventilation in all rooms and buildings should be maximised
• In addition to normal cleaning regimes, it is best practice to ensure frequent cleaning and disinfecting of objects and surfaces that are touched regularly, using standard cleaning products, active against viruses and bacteria, particularly at the start and end of the day
• Employers should consider supporting workers with shopping by selling basic supplies on site or facilitating food deliveries. If workers need to travel off site to buy food and essentials, the Government guidance must be followed. It is best practice for employer-organised shopping trips to be managed in cohorts

• It is best practice for new arrivals to self-isolate in single-occupancy accommodation for 14 days. Thereafter, they can start to work on site in accordance with social distancing guidance
• If single-occupancy accommodation is not possible, occupancy in each shared space should be as low as possible and organised in cohorts. Such cohorts should be as small as possible and kept separate from other cohorts
• New live-in worker cohorts should be kept separate from cohorts that are already on site
• Employers may choose to ask new workers to complete checking forms to confirm that they are not suffering from any symptoms of coronavirus. You can find an example here:

All new workers should:

• Receive health and safety training prior to starting work on site
• Receive training on hand and respiratory hygiene and on the social-distancing guidance
• Be clear on who to alert if they or a colleague start showing coronavirus symptoms
• Know who to raise concerns with about health and safety provisions on site

Workers that are suspected to have symptoms of coronavirus should self-isolate at home for least 7 days in a suitable environment, in line with government guidance. 

If a worker with suspected symptoms lives on site and is part of a cohort that lives and works together, then the entire cohort will also need to self-isolate as a ‘household’ for a minimum of 14 days. For more information, read the government's stay-at-home guidance below.

Employers will need to provide separate accommodation for workers that are self-isolating, recognising this decision will depend on the way that each farming business operates and whether they have cohorts in place.

It is best practice for employers who provide accommodation for their workers (either on or off-site) to have plans in place to support workers who are self-isolating with suspected symptoms of coronavirus. This should include ensuring regular contact is made and support provided with shopping, etc. where needed.