Newslink January 2022

News
Wales brings back some restrictions
amid continued concern over Covid-19
A reminder to all members in Wales that
the Welsh Government has introduced
2m social distancing measures in public
spaces to stop the spread of COVID-19.
All practical driving and riding tests
and lessons with a professional instructor
will continue. Learner drivers can
continue practising driving, but should be
mindful of limiting their social contact
with people outside of their household.
Theory tests in Wales can continue to
take place with 1m-plus distancing
accompanied by robust COVID-safe
measures to protect customers and
theory test centre colleagues.
However, some theory tests at Bala,
Carmarthen, Cardigan and Dolgellau
mobile theory test centres will need to be
cancelled as DVSA is unable to test
customers safely within the mobile test
vehicle due to ventilation constraints.
Candidates will need to maintain a 2m
distance within the test centre before
taking their test.
Other safety measures that will be in
place include:
• protective transparent screens at
reception desks
• barriers between each of the work
station which means all candidates are
social distanced by 1m-plus during their
test
• providing hand sanitiser to use on
arrival, during the tests and when
candidates leave the test centre
• cleaning workstations (including
computers and headphones) before every
test
• colleagues will wear a face covering
(unless there’s a medical reason that it’s
not recommended for them) and gloves
• candidates will have to wear a face
covering too, unless they have notified us
in advance that they cannot
• candidates must come into the test
centre alone to help with social
distancing
Driving test centre waiting rooms
The new social distancing measures
mean the number of people who can use
driving test waiting rooms in Wales is
now limited, with the maximum number
of people who can use the waiting room
will be displayed inside and outside of
the test centre waiting room.
People using these rooms will need to
keep a 2m distance from others and use
the hand sanitiser as provided.
Examiners will meet candidates at
their vehicle before their test.
Scotland & England
The rules around driving tests and
centres remain unchanged from before
Christmas. Just a reminder that face
coverings need to be worn in all
circumstances – during lessons, while in
test centres, on tests and while taking
the theory test. ADIs are still not allowed
to accompany pupils on tests.
The Omicron variant has clearly
caused a huge amount of disruption but
for the time being, that disruption does
not appear enough to demand tighter
restrictions. As ever, we will keep
members informed as to when rules
change.
New rules: Keep an eye on:
https://n-a-s-p.co.uk/coronavirus-advice/
https://www.gov.scot/coronaviruscovid-19/
https://gov.wales/coronavirus
Welcome to 2022; let’s hope it’s smoother sailing
Peter Harvey mbe
National Chairman
MSA GB
I would like to open this issue of
Newslink by wishing you all a very
happy and healthy New Year.
I am hoping that this year is going to
be a bit more stable than the last two
have been. I’m sure most of your
thoughts, as we get back to work after
the festive break, will be around
remaining safe from Covid, whichever
variant may be with us. We will do our
best at MSA GB to keep you updated as
and when new changes come in or
rules are relaxed. Rest assured, our
main goal this year will be to keep up
the pressure on the DVSA over the
L-test waiting list.
In other news, when you have a few
minutes to spare, please check out our
new-look website. It can still be found
at www.msagb.com. I hope you like the
new design and find it easier to navigate
your way around. It contains all the
latest information on Covid as well as
other driver training, testing and road
safety news. There is also details of our
first national face-to-face event in two
years, our Annual Conference and AGM,
which will be held in Coventry on
March 18-19, and how to book your
place.
Finally, I would like to advise you of
the relocation of the MSA GB head
office, as part of a reorganisation to
allow more staff working from home.
The new address is:
4 Victoria Square, St Albans
Hertfordshire AL1 3TF.
Phone numbers and email addresses
are unchanged, at:
T: 01625 664501
E: info@msagb.com
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NEWSLINK n JANUARY 2022