Yes, but this is potentially a dangerous time as you and your team may, unwittingly come into contact with an infectious person / fomite.

Every effort should be made to prevent ill persons from entering the clinic, without negatively impacting animal welfare. If a horse owner currently has respiratory symptoms or is a suspected or confirmed case of COVID-19, they should not visit the veterinary facility. If possible, a healthy friend or family member from outside their household should bring the horse to the veterinary hospital. The clinic should use all appropriate precautions to minimize contact with the person bringing the horse to the clinic. One technique is to have a stable or section of stables, close to the lorry park, designated for handover. The client can telephone on arrival, and be instructed to unload the horse and put it in this stable. They can then return to the lorry and drive away, and your team can then retrieve the horse and put it wherever is most appropriate within your hospital. Ensure that your horse naming system (eg mane tags, pastern bands, etc) is functioning accurately. An alternative is to ask the client to remain in their lorry, and for your team to get the horse off the lorry or out of the trailer.

Be aware that head collars, lead reins and other tack could act as fomites and be sources of the SARS-CoV-2 virus if the owner / trainer is an asymptomatic or presymptomatic shedder (viable virus can persist on cloth for 24 hours). It is advisable that gloves should be worn when touching such items.

No, assuming that you can maintain 2 metres social distancing (however, some PPE may be required for dealing with cases where 2 metres social / physical distancing cannot be maintained).

The levels of asthma which are considered an increased risk are quite carefully defined. If a team member is in the high risk group, usually taking a higher dose of corticosteroids, then they should remain at home and should “shield” themselves. Trying to persuade members of staff who are at “high risk” to remain at work, particularly in an environment where clear social distancing cannot be maintained, would be inappropriate.

Pregnancy is probably not particularly high risk. It may be sensible to offer furlough to this staff member and ensure they are appraised of the advice. See guidance on pregnant employees during Covid-19 here. However should that member of staff decline furlough, and if they are aware of and understand the risk, then it is reasonable to allow them to continue to work.

No, they should follow government advice: call the 111 coronavirus helpline and self isolate at home for at least seven days (see NHS Symptom Checker) . Areas / vehicles / equipment that the sick employee has visited or touched must be cleaned and disinfected. As covered above, it will not always be possible to maintain social distancing in an equine hospital, so you must take all steps to ensure that team members remain as healthy as possible. Any team member showing any signs of a fever or a cough (or any other symptoms of Covid-19) should be sent home to self isolate and call 111 for advice. Their workload must be either cancelled or re-distributed. If this limits your service, then you should seek alternative service providers such as a neighbouring hospital. Speak to them early if you anticipate such a problem may arise.