BBC staff to wear pager-like devices to alert them when they break Covid social distancing rules
Staff at the BBC will be required to wear a device which alerts them when they are in breach of the Government's two-metre social distancing rule.
Anyone coming into key BBC locations will be asked to wear the devices, which will alert wearers when they are less than two metres apart from someone else.
The "pager-like" device can be placed in a pocket or worn on a belt and emits a buzz when within two metres of a colleague reminding them to social distance.
The new measure came as the country was forced into another national lockdown to halt the spread of Covid-19.
BBC staff will be tested for the coronavirus twice a week, under new plans laid out in a memo today. They will also be given “Social Distance Proximity Devices” at the entrance, which you wear around your neck and apparently beep when you’re within 2m of each other.
— Mark Di Stefano (@MarkDiStef) January 7, 2021
A BBC spokesperson said: “The vast majority of BBC staff continue to work as they have over recent months, either working remotely or in an office location if they are in service critical roles.
"For those in a BBC building, we’ve been following Covid-secure workplace guidelines throughout the pandemic.
"We continue to adhere to the two metres rule and we are rolling out social distancing proximity devices to support our staff in maintaining safe social distancing at all times.”