Coronavirus questions and answers for colleagues Updated Monday 4th April- changes highlighted in yellow:

• Face covering rules to remain in Scotland until 18th April • Free COVID-19 testing for the general public ends in England • Isolation rules change for England and Wales

Guidance is changing regularly so for the most up to date information, please refer to the relevant government website: England https://www.gov.uk/coronavirus Wales https://gov.wales/coronavirus Scotland https://www.gov.scot/coronavirus-covid-19/ Northern Ireland https://www.nidirect.gov.uk/campaigns/coronavirus-covid-19 Pay Guidance For the latest information on our pay policy, which includes how you will be paid under a number of different absence types and scenarios visit: OneAsda>Coronavirus>Resources>Operational Resources (Retail and ALS)>Additional Tools and Support>Pay Policy Contents – click on the headings to take you to the information you need

1. Pay, absence and holidays 2. Isolation rules 3. Testing, including Test and Trace 4. Vaccination questions 5. Travel guidance 6. Guidance for colleagues in stores and depots 7. Guidance for colleagues in home offices 8. Clinically Extremely Vulnerable (CEV) colleagues 9. General questions

1. Pay, absence and holidays

For more information on your pay in different COVID situations you can refer to our COVID pay guidance.

Q: If a colleague is temporary and new to Asda, will they qualify for sick pay if they have to self-isolate? For information on your pay - refer to our COVID pay guidance. Q. A member of my household is going into hospital for an operation and the whole household has been told by the hospital that they have to self-isolate. Will I get paid?

Yes, you should speak to your manager who will be able to support you. You can also refer to our COVID pay guidance.

Q. What happens to my pay if this is my second or more instance of self-isolation? For information on your pay - refer to our COVID pay guidance. Q. What happens if I have to cancel my annual leave to help out my store, depot or home office team whilst we’re so busy? Recognising that under current pressures colleagues may not have been able to take all of their holiday, colleagues will be able to carry over all of their outstanding holidays from the 2020/21 holiday year into the 2021/22 holiday year, not just their statutory holiday of up to four weeks. For our ALS hourly paid colleagues, it will also include their lieu time.

Q. What happens to any annual leave I had booked during my self-isolation period? Any annual leave booked during your self-isolation is cancelled and added back onto your holiday balance. Your manager will be able to answer any questions you may have about your holidays.

2. Isolation rules

Guidance for isolation is changing rapidly, you can visit the relevant government website for the latest guidance. You can also speak to your manager for support.

England and Wales:

The guidance for colleagues in England from Friday 1st April and in Wales from 28th March, who have tested positive for COVID, is to stay at home and avoid contact with others for at least five full days.

For the moment we will not be making any changes to our sick pay policy and we would advise colleagues who test positive to follow the guidance to remain at home for five days to help protect others..

In Scotland and Northern Ireland colleagues who have been double vaccinated for at least two weeks will not have to isolate if they are a close contact of somebody with COVID. You must continue to follow the advice given by a tracer if contacted by Test and Trace, or Test and Protect in Scotland. However, the isolation exemptions do vary in each of these home nations so please refer to the relevant government website for full details. There is also separate guidance for pharmacy and optical colleagues which is detailed below.

Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland

In Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland we will continue to identify workplace contacts following a positive COVID case in our stores as per the current process, however if a colleague is double vaccinated as detailed above then they will not need to isolate. Colleagues who are not double vaccinated and are identified as a close contact will still be legally required to isolate for 10 days, and they must follow any advice or guidance given by the relevant contact tracing service.

Fully vaccinated colleagues in Wales and Northern Ireland who are a close contact of a positive case in their household will not need to isolate unless they are told to do so by a contact tracer.

We have updated our COVID pay guidance to reflect these changes in all countries and you can speak to your manager for more details.

Colleagues who are displaying COVID symptoms must isolate, book a PCR test and continue to isolate while they await their result. If the PCR result is negative, then you will no longer need to isolate and are able to return to work.

Please remember, if you test positive for COVID regardless of your vaccination status it remains a legal requirement that you must isolate in accordance with the rules in your country. You must always follow any guidance or advice given by the relevant test and trace service.

Northern Ireland

Colleagues who test positive

The isolation period for fully vaccinated colleagues who have tested positive for COVID can be reduced to 5 full days in most cases subject to the following guidance:

People who receive negative LFD results on day 5 and day 6 of their self-isolation period – with tests taken 24 hours apart - will no longer have to self-isolate for the full 10 days. The first test must be taken no earlier than day 5 of the self-isolation period.

If a colleague does not test or has a positive LFD test or day 5 or 6, they can complete tests later during the 10-day period and leave self-isolation when they have had two negative tests at least 24 hours apart on consecutive days – e.g. on days 6 & 7, or days 7 & 8, or days 8 & 9.

The default self-isolation period continues to be 10 days, and you may only leave self-isolation early and return to work if you have two negative LFTs and do not have a temperature. You can refer the government guidance here for more information.

Any colleagues returning from isolation should practice good hygiene including regular hand washing and wear a face covering in areas where they are mandatory. They should also avoid working in close proximity with others, wear a face covering in back-of-house areas, and avoid contact with vulnerable colleagues. Field based colleagues may also want to consider limiting their travel to multiple sites until their original 10-day isolation is over.

Colleagues testing positive with no symptoms

Colleagues in Northern Ireland who have tested positive for COVID-19 on a Lateral Flow test (LFT) and who do not have symptoms, will no longer be required to take a confirmatory PCR test.

The positive LFT result must be reported on the gov.uk website and colleagues must still isolate; however, they will be able to leave self-isolation after 5 full days in Northern Ireland (see guidance above).

You can refer to this flow chart to help understand the current approach:

Close contacts

A close contact is defined as:

• anyone who lives in the same household as someone with COVID-19 symptoms or who has tested positive for COVID-19

• anyone who has had any of the following types of contact with someone who has tested positive for COVID-19 with a Lateral Flow Device (LFD) or a PCR test:

• face-to-face contact including being coughed on or having a face-to-face conversation within one metre

• been within one metre for one minute or longer without face-to-face contact • sexual contacts • been within 2 metres of someone for more than 15 minutes (either as a one-

off contact, or added up together over one day) • travelled in the same vehicle or a plane

Colleagues who are under the age of 18 years and six months will not need to isolate if they are identified as a close contact regardless of their vaccination status but must follow the guidance given by the Test and Trace service.

In Wales the NHS Wales Test Trace Protect (TTP) service will use the Welsh Immunisation Service to identify adults who are fully vaccinated if they are notified as close contacts. Contact tracers and advisers will provide advice and guidance to close contacts about how to protect themselves and stay safe. Colleagues under 18 will not need to isolate if they are identified as a close contact regardless of their vaccination status as long as the positive case is not a household member, but they must follow the guidance given by the Test Trace and Protect service. For those who are from the same household of the positive case (or someone showing symptoms in your household) they must isolate and take a LFD test. Only if the result is negative can they return to work.

In Northern Ireland, if colleagues under the age of 18 who are not fully vaccinated are identified as a close contact they must isolate while they book and take a PCR test first and receive a negative result before they can return to work. They must also follow any additional guidance given by the PHA contact tracing service.

Scotland

In Scotland colleagues who have tested positive for COVID-19 can now reduce their self-isolation from 10 days to 7 days by taking a Lateral Flow Test (LFT) on day 6 and again at least 24 hours later, and if the result of both of those tests are negative, and they have not had a temperature for at least 48 hours, they can stop isolating after day 7 and return to their usual activities, including work. This is now in line with the guidance for England, Wales, and Northern Ireland.

If either test is positive, colleagues must continue to isolate until they receive two negative LFTs, at least 24 hours apart, or their 10-day isolation comes to an end. If a colleague still has a fever, they need to continue to self-isolate until their temperature has returned to normal for 48 hours.

For close contacts, including household contacts, the guidance has also changed. Fully vaccinated colleagues, who have received their booster more than 14 days ago

and have been in close contact with someone who has tested positive for COVID-19, are permitted to take an LFT every day for seven days, or until 10 days since their last contact if this is earlier, instead of self-isolating. This also applies to people aged under 18 years and four months. Any close contact who is not fully vaccinated, which means having three doses of the vaccine, will still have to isolate for 10 days and take a PCR test.

The Test and Protect service will continue to trace close contacts, and colleagues must comply with any advice or guidance given.

Colleagues who are under the age of 18 years and four months will not need to isolate if they are identified as a close contact regardless of their vaccination status, however they must isolate and take a LFD test first and receive a negative result before they can return to work. They must also follow any additional guidance given by the Test and Protect service.

In addition, anyone in Scotland who has tested positive for COVID-19 on an LFT and who does not have symptoms, will no longer be required to take a confirmatory PCR test. The positive LFT result must be reported on the gov.uk website and colleagues must still isolate, following the rules above. People who test positive on an LFT and who display symptoms should still book a PCR test.

The Scottish Government have confirmed details of a critical worker exemption scheme where close contacts of someone who has tested positive for COVID can now opt to take daily LFD tests, which if negative, will allow them to leave their 10-day isolation and return to work. Further details of this exemption can be found in the resources section on the OneAsda Coronavirus page, and you can speak to your manager for more information.

Q. If a colleague receives a positive test result on day 10 of self-isolation, can they return to work on day 11?

No, if your test is positive then you must inform your manager by telephone and remain at home and self-isolate.

You can return to work 10 days after the start of your symptoms (not 10 days from a positive test result), as long as you feel better and do not have a high temperature. If you still have a high temperature, keep self-isolating until your temperature returns to normal. If you still have a cough, and/or loss of taste and smell, this does not mean that you need to continue self-isolating after 10 days, as this can last several weeks and does not mean that you are still infectious.

In Northern Ireland the isolation period for fully vaccinated colleagues who have tested positive for COVID has been reduced to 5 full days in most cases.

In Scotland the isolation period for fully vaccinated colleagues who have tested positive for COVID has been reduced to 7 days in most cases.

In all nations you can refer to the guidance on isolation rules for these nations in this Q&A.

Additional guidance for Pharmacy and Optical colleagues

There are some different rules for colleagues who work in our Pharmacy and Optical departments due to the clinical nature of this work, including colleagues in England where legal isolation guidance has been removed. Colleagues in these areas should speak to their line manager for full details so we can follow the most up-to-date guidance.

Please note, a workplace close contact whilst a pharmacy or optical colleague is wearing PPE, is not deemed as a close contact and there is no isolation requirement, regardless of a colleague’s vaccination status. However, if there is any breach of PPE protocol then isolation requirements apply.

In Optical, if a colleague has been identified as a close contact (not a work close contact whilst wearing PPE) they can return to work but should not see patients who are over 80yrs old or who are extremely clinically vulnerable. The exception to this is if the colleague is a household close contact, in which case they must isolate and not come in to work. If this causes a significant service disruption, a risk assessment will be completed by the Optical Manager to see if the colleague could be able to return to work.

3. Testing, including Test and Trace – Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland

Q. Should I get a test if I have symptoms of COVID-19? In Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland getting a test is free – there are many drive through / walk through testing sites as well as postal kits that can be completed at home.

In all nations it’s really important to get a test if you have symptoms so you can get the help you need and make sure you are protecting your family and friends, as well as your fellow colleagues.

Q. Can I still work while I am waiting for my COVID test result? If you’re displaying symptoms, then you must not come into work whilst you wait for the results of your test. If your test is negative you can then return to work, if your test is positive then you must inform your manager by telephone and remain at home and self-isolate in line with the guidance for your country.

If you have had a test and you are not showing any COVID symptoms, you don’t live in a house with someone who is positive and haven’t been advised by the health authorities to isolate, then you can continue to work until you receive your results. If you then receive a positive test result, you must let your manager know by telephone and not come to work.

We're aware that in certain regions people are being invited to take a COVID test if they have different symptoms to the confirmed COVID symptoms (continuous cough, high temperature, loss of taste/ smell). In this instance, providing the colleague is feeling well, they can continue to work before receiving the test result. If they start to display COVID symptoms, they must self-isolate immediately, let their manager know by telephone and not come into work.

Q. My child is showing symptoms of Coronavirus. What should I do and what does that mean for me? If your child is showing symptoms of Coronavirus then you should arrange for them to have a test immediately. If you are fully vaccinated, then you will not need to isolate. If you develop symptoms during that time, then you will need to take a test and follow the appropriate steps. If you are notified that your child has tested positive with the Omicron variant then you must isolate regardless of your vaccination status.

For information on your pay - refer to our COVID pay guidance. Q. What should I do if I have / someone in my household has symptoms? If someone is the first in their household to have symptoms of COVID-19 (a new persistent cough, a high temperature and/or loss or change to your sense of smell or taste), then they must stay at home and get a PCR test to check if they have COVID-19. Fully vaccinated members of the household or under-18s would not need to isolate, however any members who aren’t fully vaccinated must also stay at home and not leave the house.

In Scotland colleagues will need to isolate for 10 days regardless of their vaccination status or if they have a negative test if anyone in their household tests positive for COVID. If a colleague has been a close contact of someone outside of their household who tests positive, they must isolate and take a PCR test. If this test is negative, they will no longer need to isolate if they are double vaccinated. If the test is positive, they must isolate for 10 days from the start of their symptoms and only return to work after this period when they are fit and well. All other household members who are not fully vaccinated and remain well must isolate for 10 days. If the test is negative, then the colleague can return to work immediately as long as they are well enough. Their household no longer needs to isolate if they are well and symptom free.

Colleagues should inform their manager that they are starting their self-isolation - please do this via telephone and don't go into work. The exception to this is if where someone has been contacted by Test and Trace because they have come into contact with someone who has tested positive, they will need to follow the guidance of the tracer and isolate for the amount of time they tell them to. If the tracer or App advises that due to a negative test the colleague can return to work, then this is acceptable. Q. I was the first in the household to show symptoms, but on testing I was negative. Now a household member has tested positive, do I need to self-isolate? In Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland if you are fully vaccinated and have tested negative then you do not need to isolate even if a household member is positive.

If you are not fully vaccinated then you will need to self-isolate from the start of the household member who has tested positive showing symptoms.

Q. If a household member is taken to hospital and tests positive, but I’m fully vaccinated do I need to self-isolate? No, fully vaccinated adults do not need to isolate if a member of their household has tested positive. If you are not fully vaccinated, then you would need to isolate and let your manager know by phone. Q. What are the two types of test are currently being used to detect if someone

has COVID-19? There are 2 main types of virus test:

• Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) tests check for the genetic material of the virus in the sample. You send the sample for processing at a lab

• Lateral Flow antigen device (LFD) tests detect proteins called ‘antigens’ produced by the virus. They give rapid results in approximately 30 mins

Lateral Flow Device (LFD) Testing Q. What is a Lateral Flow Device (LFD) test? Antigen Lateral Flow Device (LFD) tests currently give the quickest result turnaround of all the COVID-19 tests with results typically available in under half an hour. This involves taking a self-administered swab from the back of the throat and nose which although can be uncomfortable is not harmful Q. How can I get a LFD test? You can order them online at the gov.uk website or they are widely available from local pharmacies. Q. How does a lateral flow device test work? A lateral flow device (LFD) test can help identify people who have high levels of virus who do not have symptoms and gives a result within 30 minutes. Colleagues who participate will test with a swab test twice a week and report their results through the gov.uk website Q. Where can I get the testing kits? You can order them online at your government website or they are available from local pharmacies.

For Scotland you can access this link: https://www.nhsinform.scot/illnesses-and-conditions/infections-and-poisoning/coronavirus-covid-19/test-and-protect/coronavirus-covid-19-get-a-test-if-you-do-not-have-symptoms

Q. How do I take the test? Each testing kit contains full instructions on how to take the test and there’s a video on Asda TV and OneAsda to help you too. You can also find more information on the OneAsda Coronavirus page or speak to your manager. Q. Do I need to report the result of my test?

You will need to record your test results on the gov.uk website (gov.uk/report/covid19/result). Instructions on how to do this are included in the testing kit instructions and in the colleague video on OneAsda. All results, whether positive, negative or invalid, need to be recorded so the NHS can monitor the spread of the virus and support communities across the country. Q. If I test positive on my LFD test, what do I need to do? You should follow the instructions given in your result notification message. You should inform your line manager by phone that you are needing to isolate due to a positive LFD test and let them know the instructions given to you on you result notification message. Q. Will people I’ve been in close contact with need to isolate if I test positive on an LFD test? Close contacts who are fully vaccinated will not need to isolate, but there are some exceptions to this guidance. You should speak to your manager or refer to the relevant government website for full information. Q. If I have to isolate, how will I be paid? The COVID-19 absence process would apply for the time you are isolating. Speak to your manager will be able to explain more or you can refer to the pay guidelines on the OneAsda Coronavirus page. Q. What should I do if I take a PCR test and it is negative? If your PCR test is negative then you and any members of your household and close contacts who were isolating no longer need to isolate. You can return to your normal routines including coming in to work for your next scheduled shift if you are fit to do so. You should also contact your manager to let them know you have tested negative and return to work. Q. What happens if my PCR test comes back positive? If your PCR test is positive you must continue to isolate. The period of isolation would be counted from the day after you tested positive on the LFD test. A positive PCR test will also trigger close contact tracing via Test and Trace service which will place close contacts under a legal duty to self-isolate if they are not fully vaccinated. You must also notify your manager by phone of your positive PCR result so they can ensure the necessary process is followed. Q. Can I continue to take the tests if I test positive on either an LFD or a PCR test? No, following a positive result on either type of test you should not participate in the LFD testing for 90 days in line with government guidance. Following the 90 days you can resume the twice weekly LFD testing. Q. What happens if my test is void or invalid? If your test is void / invalid you should take another LFD test as soon as possible ensuring you have followed the testing instructions in the kit. In the unlikely scenario of a second void result, you should book a PCR test. While waiting for PCR test, you will only need to isolate if:

• You have or get any symptoms of COVID • You’ve been traced as a contact of someone who tested positive and told you

need to isolate You can speak to your manager who will be able to provide guidance. Q. I’ve tested positive for COVID recently but am now well again, can I take these tests? If you’ve tested positive for COVID in the last 90 days either through an LFD or a PCR test then you should not take an LFD test. After the 90 days you’ll be able to take the LFD tests again. Q. I share a house with a positive / symptomatic person – should I still take an LFD test if I don’t have any symptoms? If you share a house with someone who is positive or symptomatic, you can still take an LFD test. Q. If I have been advised to isolate via Test and Trace, can I take a lateral flow test to show I don’t have COVID-19 and don’t need to isolate? You can still have an LFD test but you must still follow the current government advice on isolation.

Q. How do I dispose of a used LFD test kit? Once a test is complete, put all the used test kit contents in the waste bag provided in the test kit and place in your general household waste. Q. Can I travel to my local testing site and take the test during work time? We would ask that you take the test outside of your shift. If the testing area is very close by and you could travel there and back within your break time, that’s fine but check with your manager before you travel. If you’re unable to take the test outside of work time, please refer to the medical appointments section of our flexible working policy. Test and Trace

Q. What is Test and Trace? Test and Trace is an NHS service which helps identify, contain and control the spread of COVID-19. Anyone who tests positive for COVID-19 will be contacted by NHS Test and Trace and will need to share information about their recent interactions with other individuals. The service will identify people at high risk of having been exposed to the virus through close recent contact with someone who has tested positive for COVID-19. It will alert those contacts who meet defined risk criteria, based on the proximity and duration of the contact they’ve had, and provide advice on what steps to take. In Scotland Test and Trace is known as Test and Protect and in Northern Ireland StopCOVID NI. Q. How does Test and Trace work?

When someone tests positive for COVID-19, a tracer will contact them and they will be asked to give details of their close contacts who may then receive a text, phone or email if appropriate advising what they should do next. If you’re contacted by a tracer and told to isolate because you’ve been identified as a close contact of someone who has tested positive, you must leave the store/depot immediately but please also let your line manager know why you are leaving and the reason why. While the changes to isolation rules for fully vaccinated adults mean fewer people may be contacted and told to isolate, it’s still very important for everyone’s health and safety that you do self-isolate if you are told to by a tracer. Q. How will I be notified I have been in contact with someone and am deemed at risk? The alert will come by text, email or phone. You will be invited to log on to a secure online service, which is the easiest way for you and the service to communicate with each other – but, if not, a trained call handler will talk you through what you need to do. You may also be identified by the NHS app or through our own internal close contact process. Q. I have been contacted by Test and Trace. What should I do? If you have been informed that you are a contact of a person who has had a positive test result for COVID-19, you must follow the advice given by the tracer. If you are told to isolate let you manager know by telephone and immediately self-isolate at home for the period from the date of your last contact with them.

If test and trace (either the tracer or the app) advise that self-isolation is for a shorter duration, then this revised time is accepted as the isolation period.

If the tracer or App advises that due to a negative test the colleague can return to work, then this is acceptable. Q. A colleague has been in contact with someone who is a confirmed case of COVID-19 - what should we do? If a colleague has been double vaccinated for at least two weeks, then they may no longer need to automatically isolate, but they must follow the guidance set out by their government.

If you have been identified as a workplace, contact then your line manager will explain the process and will ask you to confirm your vaccination status as part of the tracing to determine if they need to isolate or not. Your manager will not need record your vaccination details and we will trust our colleagues to do the right thing.

A close contact is defined as:

• anyone who lives in the same household as someone with COVID-19 symptoms or who has tested positive for COVID-19

• anyone who has had any of the following types of contact with someone who has tested positive for COVID-19 with a LFD / PCR test: • face-to-face contact including being coughed on or having a face-to-face

conversation within one metre

• been within one metre for one minute or longer without face-to-face contact • sexual contacts • been within 2 metres of someone for more than 15 minutes (either as a one-off

contact, or added up together over one day) • travelled in the same vehicle or a plane

Q. What should I do if I have been a contact of a positive but not a close contact?

Contacts do not immediately need to self-isolate, however you should follow the guidance given by the relevant Test and Trace service. They should advise their close contacts to do the following,

• avoid contact with people at high increased risk of severe illness from Coronavirus, such as people with pre-existing medical conditions

• take extra care in practising social distancing and good hygiene • watch out for symptoms and self-isolate if they also show signs of

Coronavirus

If contacted by the test and trace app or by a tracer and told to isolate, then the colleagues must follow the advice issued regardless of their vaccination status.

Q. I was wearing a face mask – does this affect whether I self-isolate or not?

Yes, if you work in optical or pharmacy (in accordance with government guidance). If in these circumstances Type IIR masks are worn within Optical or Pharmacy and worn properly during an encounter with a positive case, the colleague who came into contact with the case would not need to self-isolate and Tracer / Health Authority notified. If notified via the App, then please notify the Health Authority that PPE has been worn in a medical setting. If there is any question about a breach of PPE, then the exposure would need to be risk assessed. Government recognise that the wearing of Type IIR face masks in a medical environment is an acceptable control measure.

Colleagues in optical and pharmacy wearing a Type IIR face mask can turn their Bluetooth COVID app off whilst at work in a medical environment.

Q. If I have been working in an office with someone who has been confirmed as COVID-19 positive, do I need to self-isolate? No you do not need to self-isolate if you are feeling well. The key requirement for isolation is “close contact” as previously outlined. If you show any COVID-19 symptoms, then you should follow the usual self-isolation process and get a free NHS test to check if you have coronavirus as soon as possible. If you’re contacted by a tracer as part of the NHS Test and Trace service and told to start self-isolation, then you must do so immediately. For more information see the section on Test and Trace.

Q. Am I allowed to have my mobile phone with me at work in case I’m contacted by a tracer? Yes, you can carry your mobile phone with you on silent. Text messages will come from the NHS, calls will come from 03000135000. You should only answer or respond to texts or calls from these numbers. If you carry your phone with you then you do so at your own risk and it is your personal responsibility to keep it safe. Q. How will a tracer know my contact details? Your contact information will have been provided by the colleague who has had a positive test result if they have your details. Alternatively, the colleague will have advised the tracer that they work at Asda and to contact the store/depot for the other colleagues contact details. If a tracer contacts Asda the store/depot will release colleague contact telephone number to assist the tracer with their process. This information will be handled in line with the NHS test and trace Guidance They should personally notify close contacts, so they are on notice.

• avoid contact with people at high increased risk of severe illness from Coronavirus, such as people with pre-existing medical conditions

• take extra care in practising social distancing and good hygiene • watch out for symptoms and self-isolate if they also show signs of

Coronavirus They don't need to do anything unless significant household contact or car share unless advised by the Compliance Team. Q. What if I receive a call from the test and trace service and they ask for a colleague’s contact details – what should I do? If the test and trace service contact the store or depot and ask for the contact details of a colleague, please ask the tracer for their name, and contact number and keep a record of this and then either arrange for the colleague to speak to them on the phone or provide them with the colleagues contact details if they are not in work. Q. If I have to self-isolate do I need to get tested for COVID-19? Once in self-isolation, you only need to get PCR tested if you start to show symptoms of COVID-19 which are a high temperate, a new continuous cough, and or a loss or change to your sense of smell or taste or unless advised by the health authority. You can take a LFD test at any time. Q. Is it just me or does my household have to isolate too? Members of your household will not have to stay at home unless you start to develop symptoms or you test positive.

Q. What should I do if I develop symptoms? If you start to display symptoms which are a high temperate, a new continuous cough, and or a loss or change to your sense of smell or taste then you should request a test via nhs.uk/coronavirus or by calling 111. If you test positive, then you should begin a new isolation from when your symptoms started and only stop isolating once you have been fever free for 48 hours without medication.

Q. If I take a COVID-19 test do I need to share the results with my line manager? You should keep your line manager informed of the reasons why you are self-isolating including if you test positive or negative for Coronavirus so that they can make sure your absence is properly recorded for pay purposes and, if necessary, take appropriate steps to protect other colleagues if your test is positive. If your result is negative, then you can return to work if you are fit to do so, unless advised by Test and Trace. Q. Will I be paid if I have to isolate? For colleagues who are contacted by the tracer - refer to our COVID pay guidance. Q. A colleague in my store/depot has tested positive but a tracer hasn’t been in touch to tell me to isolate should I isolate anyway? You will not need to isolate if you follow the guidance; see the details above for full information on how this process will work. Q. Some colleagues in my store have tested positive and although I’m not classed as a ‘close contact’, I haven’t been contacted by a tracer, I don’t have any symptoms and I am not a household contact with any of these colleagues, I have been for a test – do I need to remain off work until the results come back? As you haven’t any symptoms, are not a ‘close contact’, been contacted by a tracer or living with a household contact, you don’t need to isolate. You can remain at work and practice social distancing as normal. If your results come back as positive, then please follow the COVID-19 process for positives. Q. If I live with someone who is having a test, but they don’t have symptoms and haven’t been contacted by a tracer, do I need to self-isolate until their results come back? No – as they haven’t had symptoms and you haven’t any symptoms or been contacted by a tracer you don’t need to isolate. You can remain at work as normal. If your household contact results come back as positive, then please follow the COVID-19 process for positive cases.

4. Vaccination Questions Where can I find out more about the COVID-vaccine? You can find out more about the COVID-vaccine from official sources of information such as www.nhs.uk and www.gov.uk, to make your own informed choice.

Do I have to have the COVID-vaccine? The government hasn’t made the vaccine mandatory – it remains a personal choice, which can vary depending on your personal circumstances. If you're not sure, take a look at official information sources such as the NHS and government websites so you can make your own, properly informed decision.

My COVID-vaccine appointment is during my working hours – what should I do? Where possible, all medical appointments including COVID-19 vaccinations, should be made outside of working hours, if this isn’t possible, we’ll support you by being as flexible as we can. Talk to your line manager about the flexible options available.

What will happen if I have an adverse reaction to the COVID-vaccine? As the NHS website explains, most side effects of the COVID-19 vaccine are mild and shouldn’t last longer than a couple of days. However, if you feel too unwell to work after your vaccination, talk to your line manager who will be able to support you.

Do I have to keep to social distancing once I’ve had the COVID-vaccine? It’s important to continue to follow government guidance including wearing a face covering and social distancing where appropriate, irrespective of whether you have or haven’t had the vaccine.

5. Travel guidance

Q. What is the latest travel advice?

Government travel advice is subject to change. It’s important that you keep close to the latest Government’s travel advice to understand any quarantine requirements for the country that you wish to travel back from. You can keep up to date: Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland.

If colleagues are not fully vaccinated please follow the government guidance before and after you enter England here: guidance - travel-to-england - not-fully-vaccinated

From Friday 11th February, fully vaccinated people will no longer be required to take a pre-departure test or a test on their return to the UK.

People returning to Scotland and Northern Ireland have to take a COVID test before entering the country. This is in addition to the requirement to take a PCR test by the end of day 2 of their return to the UK, and to self-isolate until they receive a negative PCR result.

If a colleague books a holiday abroad knowing they will need to isolate on return, then they should book enough holiday to cover their isolation or take the extra time as unpaid leave. Please speak to your manager in these situations.

6. Guidance for store and depot colleagues

Q. Are face coverings a legal requirement? England, Wales and Northern Ireland

Customers and colleagues are no longer legally required to wear face coverings in our stores in England, Northern Ireland and Wales. The government guidance suggests that face coverings continue to be worn in enclosed or crowded places, particularly where you come into contact with people you don’t normally meet, however there will be no expectation for stores in England, Wales or Northern Ireland to enforce this. We know that while this may be a welcome change for many colleagues and customers, others may still have concerns so it’s important that we are thoughtful and respectful of each other. Therefore, we will continue to make face coverings readily available for any colleague that would prefer to wear one, and also keep a supply at the security podium for any customers that would like one. Colleagues who have been exempt from wearing a face covering no longer need to wear their exemption badges or lanyards. As our pharmacies and optical departments are clinical settings, all existing measures will remain in place, including face coverings and hygiene measures, in line with the continuing legal requirements for these areas. Scotland In Scotland the legal requirement to wear face coverings in shops will remain in place until at least Monday 18th April, and they must continue to be worn in customer facing areas. In addition to wearing face coverings on the shop floor, colleagues are encouraged to wear a face covering in back of house areas too, particularly in those areas where you are working in close proximity such as home shopping pods and in the warehouse. Home shopping drivers should also wear a face covering where appropriate, and keep a safe distance from customers and not enter houses where someone is self-isolating. Colleagues who are exempt from wearing a face covering must continue to wear their exemption badges or lanyards.

Q. What are the exemptions for wearing a face covering? Please be aware that there are some medical exemptions which means customers and colleagues do not need to wear a face covering. These exemptions include:

England: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/face-coverings-when-to-wear-one-and-how-to-make-your-own

Scotland: https://www.gov.scot/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-phase-3-staying-safe-and-protecting-others/pages/face-coverings/#exemptions

Wales: https://gov.wales/face-coverings-guidance-public

Northern Ireland: https://www.nidirect.gov.uk/articles/coronavirus-covid-19-face-coverings

Q. How do I report a suspected or confirmed case of COVID-19?

It’s very important that any confirmed cases are reported immediately to your manager. Q. How do I report a suspected case of COVID-19? All suspected cases should be reported to line managers. Absence numbers will be collated by SMPs for retail and NPMs for ALS. Q. Do we need to have hand sanitiser available at every checkout and service area? Every colleague should have D10 sanitiser for standard clean as you go procedures. According to the NHS, alcohol-gel should not replace good basic hygiene and hand washing but we have made available alcohol-based gel for colleagues to use at work.

Q. Can colleagues break to wash their hands regularly? Colleagues should be given the opportunity to wash their hands regularly throughout their shifts.

Q. Are there additional cleaning steps we should take? As with the normal flu season, it is always recommended to wash hands often with soap and water. Every colleague should have D10 sanitiser for standard clean as you go procedures. City FM will also support with cleaning of hand contact surfaces such as door handles and taps. We have also applied anti-microbial coatings to touch-points throughout our stores, depots and offices. Q. Are we increasing cleaning in areas where we have lots of colleagues e.g. entrance foyers, toilets and checkout areas? Hygiene standards are being maintained through a combination of regular cleaning and anti-microbial coating on touch-point. Our City colleagues also make sure that hand soap is available at all times whilst our maintenance colleagues check that hot water and hand dryers are in full working order. If you have no hand soap in your store, depot or home office, please let a City colleague know. If you do not have hot water, please report this to City FM. Q. What are we doing to make sure our trolleys and baskets handles are clean? Whilst we do try to ensure our trolleys and hand basket handles are clean, the frequent use by customers makes it difficult to make sure each trolley and basket is sanitised for every use. To help customers, we have provided a ‘self-help’ option in every store where customers can sanitise the handles of trolleys and hand baskets prior to using them. These facilities can be found in and around store entrances with visual instructions showing how to spray and wipe the sanitiser onto the handle. We are also rolling out trolleys with anti-microbial coating to reduce bacteria and viruses on handles. We have also provided anti-microbial coating to our trolley and basket handles as well as other touch points throughout the store. Q. How are we cleaning the rest of the store? To make sure that each store is fully cleaned across all areas, we work to a defined standard that makes sure all contact surfaces, floors and key pieces of production machinery are cleaned on a set frequency. Each individual store has their own

dedicated cleaning team who focuses on ensuring the cleanliness of our stores. The delivery of the cleaning process is checked through an independent third-party audit to make sure that cleaning in Asda is delivered to the highest standard. Q. What do we say if a customer asks about a colleague who has been diagnosed with COVID-19? You should never disclose any personal details relating to other colleagues. Reassure the customer that we follow all government advice to protect our colleagues and customers and have strict processes in place to maintain hygiene and social distancing in stores, alongside a comprehensive cleaning programme – see other questions relating to cleaning for more information. Q. Should we be continuing to operate our optical departments? We are continuing to operate our opticians making sure that colleagues there are following the appropriate hygiene rules. It’s important that we’re still supporting our customers to ensure that they have healthy eyes and we are keeping close to the regulator for the latest guidance. By keeping our opticians open we help relieve pressure on the NHS. Q. What are we doing to protect our colleagues and customers in our pharmacies? Throughout the pandemic it’s important to know that we have always followed, and are continuing to follow NHS, Department of Health and Public England guidance. Protecting the health of our colleagues and customers is our number one priority. We continue to monitor the rapidly changing situation closely and will introduce further measures where needed to protect our colleagues and customers. Q. What do I do if the Police or other Enforcement Officers visit my store in relation to the Coronavirus? We’ve created a document which can be found on the Resources panel on the Coronavirus OneAsda page which you can share with the Police or any other Enforcement Officers if they visit your store. It summarises the measures we’ve implemented with regards to social distancing, cleaning and hygiene. Please also:

• Make sure the usual process for recording Enforcement visits is followed • Record details of the visit using the enforcement officer visit form • Contact the City help desk on #6199

Q. Do I need to complete Test and Trace QR code / sign in process if I’m eating in an Asda Depot? No. We have signing in and out details for all colleagues in the depot therefore we don’t need to use QR codes unless you wish to do so.

7. Guidance for home office colleagues Q. I’m self-isolating because I have a new continuous cough and high temperature but I feel okay to work from home. What should I do?

If you have symptoms you should get a NHS test to check if you have COVID-19. If you feel well enough to work from home then you can continue to work – make sure you tell your line manager that you are isolating. Q. How do I report a confirmed case of COVID-19? It’s very important that any confirmed cases are reported immediately through to your line manager. Q. How do I report a suspected case of COVID-19? All suspected cases should be reported to line managers. Absence numbers will be collated by the HR Business partners in home office. Managers will follow the coronavirus absence reporting process. Q. How are we keeping the environment in our Home Office buildings clean and healthy during this time?

We’ve got a comprehensive cleaning programme in our home offices. If you are in our home offices and spot any problems with our facilities, then contact City on 8000 63456 or email cityfmhelpdesk@asda.co.uk. In George House you can email George City Facilities.

8. Clinically extremely vulnerable (CEV) colleagues - guidance applies in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland

. If I am CEV, can I return to work without an occupational health appointment? Yes, if that is what you’d prefer, you can opt out of this process. Your return-to-work meeting will then include a CEV self-assessment form which you will need to complete and let your line manager know your score. This will then be used in your individual risk assessment to check if any changes are needed to your role/ hours/ PPE. What if occupational health suggest I shouldn’t return? There may be some colleagues who need further support, and if this is the case, PAM (Occupational Health) will recall you in either 3 or 5 weeks to reassess. If after this, you still cannot return to work, then you would be moved onto sickness absence, in line with our normal absence policy. Will I be still paid if I need further support to return to work? Yes, you will continue to be paid company sick pay (CSP) or the equivalent of CSP until your first PAM recall appointment (further intervention after 3 or 5 weeks). After this time, if you can’t return to work - you will be paid company or statutory sick pay as per your CSP entitlement, if eligible, in line with our normal absence policy.

9. General Questions

Q. What is Coronavirus and COVID-19?

There are many strains of coronaviruses, which are all fairly common. COVID-19 is the name given to the disease caused by the new coronavirus strain, and there are several variants of the virus that have been identified such a Delta and Omicron. Q. What are the symptoms of COVID-19? COVID-19 symptoms may include:

• A high temperature – this means you feel hot to touch on your chest or back (you do not need to measure your temperature)

• Cough – this means coughing a lot for more than an hour, or 3 or more coughing episodes in 24 hours (if you usual have a cough, it may be worse than usual)

• Loss or change to your sense of smell or taste – this means you've noticed you cannot smell or taste anything, or things smell or taste different to normal

These symptoms do not necessarily mean you have the illness. The symptoms are similar to other illnesses that are much more common such as cold and flu. Q. If I have symptoms of COVID-19, what should I do? If a colleague develops symptoms they must book a PCR test, and then they must self-isolate and also inform any close contacts that they are isolating (see close contact definition at the top of this Q&A). They must also inform their manager via telephone and not come into work.

At this stage close contacts do not immediately need to self-isolate as you have symptoms. They should advise their contacts to do the following

• avoid contact with people at high increased risk of severe illness from Coronavirus, such as people with pre-existing medical conditions

• take extra care in practising social distancing and good hygiene • watch out for symptoms and self-isolate if they also show signs of

Coronavirus

If the colleague then tests positive, then the process should be followed for contact versus close contact. If contacted by the test and trace app or by a tracer and told to isolate, then the colleagues must follow the advice issued.

Q. If I have decided to continue wearing a face covering, do I need to isolate if notified by test and trace, Test and Protect in Scotland or Stop Covid NI? Yes – unless you are a colleague in Pharmacy or Optical. Currently, all other colleagues identified via the app or via tracers will have to follow their advice issued by the app or the tracer.

Q. How does COVID-19 spread? Similar viruses are spread in cough droplets. It’s unlikely it can be spread through things like packages or food. Q. How can we help prevent spreading respiratory viruses? You should:

• Wash your hands with soap and water often – do this for at least 20 seconds. Dry your hands with a hand towel or hand dryer

• Wear a face covering where this is a legal requirement (unless you are exempt) and in crowded or busy areas

• Always wash your hands when you get home or into work • Use hand sanitiser gel if soap and water are not available • Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or your sleeve (not your hands)

when you cough or sneeze • Put used tissues in the bin straight away and wash your hands afterwards • Try to avoid close contact with people who are unwell

You should not:

• Touch your eyes, nose or mouth if your hands are not clean

Q. What are we doing to avoid the spread of the virus? We’re taking appropriate measures to meet all health standards and communicating to our colleagues and customers about the appropriate preventive measures. We will continue to maintain best practices related to cleanliness in our stores, depots and home offices. We continue to follow government advice and implement their guidelines to make sure we have a COVID-secure working environment. Q. How do I report a suspected case of COVID-19? All suspected cases should be reported to your line managers. Absence numbers will be collated by the Senior Managers for People in retail and the Network People Managers for ALS. In home office, line managers will follow the coronavirus absence reporting process. Q. How do I report a confirmed case of COVID-19? It’s very important that any confirmed cases are reported immediately through to your manager. Q. What do we do if we get a request from the media for an interview or to film in my store/ depot?

If you have media inquiries and/or requests for filming in our stores, depots or offices, refer them to the Asda Press Office on 0113 826 2829. Q. Am I at risk of catching COVID-19 whilst carrying out first aid? It is unlikely that a First Aider would be called to support someone displaying symptoms of coronavirus (a continuous cough, high temperature, or loss or change to their sense of smell or taste). If someone is requiring immediate first aid, then isolate the patient and please contact 999 and advise the emergency services. Your safety is of paramount importance, therefore never put yourself at risk. If the patient requires resuscitation, then do not perform mouth-to-mouth ventilation; perform chest compressions only, and use all PPE available. For further guidance to first aiders,

visit OneAsda: https://one.walmart.com/content/dam/uk-OneAsda/documents/company/our-business/first-aid-qa.pdf

Q. Should we wear a different set of clothes at work compared with at home to prevent the risk of the virus spreading?

There’s no medical evidence to suggest that the spread of COVID-19 is increased by colleagues coming to work wearing the same clothes they wear at home or vice versa. We’ll continue to monitor government advice and guidance and if the position changes, we’ll review and update our policy.

Q. What social distancing measures are in place in our stores to protect our colleagues and customers? We follow the government guidelines in our stores, and we will continue to follow the measures set out by each of the four home nations.

Perspex screens at our checkouts and service points remain in place as well as hand sanitising stations. In addition, we will keep some tables and chairs spaced in our canteens to allow colleagues to socially distance, and we’ll continue to make sure cleaning materials and hand gel are available for colleagues to use.

Q. Can I car share for my journey to work? You should follow the guidance of your local government for meeting indoors and this is your own personal choice.

You can reduce transmission with good ventilation (keep the windows open) and by facing away from each other. Vehicles that are used by people from multiple households should be cleaned regularly using gloves and standard cleaning products with particular emphasis on handles and other areas where passengers may touch surfaces. Q. How do I maintain social distancing during live emergency evacuations / evacuations? Your managers will manage any emergency evacuations appropriately on a site-by-site basis, however the guidance from government is that the risk of COVID transmission is lessened outdoors.