Construction Sites “Can Keep Working” in England Says Health Secretary

CONSTRUCTION SITES AS well as work on private properties can continue as long as 2m distancing and isolation guidelines are followed according to Health Secretary Matt Hancock.

During today’s Downing Street press briefing, he said: “The judgement we have made is that in work, in many instances, the 2m rule can be applied.

“Where possible, people should work from home and employers have a duty to ensure that people are more than 2m apart.”

However Scotland’s First Minister, Nicola Sturgeon, has stated that work should stop unless the site itself is an essential building such as a hospital.

Welsh First Minister, Mark Drakeford has also stated Welsh Government will look at its ability to close sites, calling for non-essential work to stop.

Government Guidelines

According to government guidelines, all documented at the NFB website, work carried out in people’s homes, for example by tradespeople carrying out repairs and maintenance, can continue, provided that the tradesperson is well and has no symptoms.

No work should be carried out in any household which is isolating or where an individual is being shielded, unless it is to remedy a direct risk to the safety of the household, such as emergency plumbing or repairs, and where the tradesperson is willing to do so.

No work should be carried out by a tradesperson who has coronavirus symptoms, however mild.

Richard Beresford, Chief Executive of the National Federation of Builders

Richard Beresford said: “We will continue to support our members the best we can. We have written up some detailed guidance for our members, to help them apply social distancing and to make sure that a high standard of health and safety is kept at their sites.

“Many NFB members have self-employed supply chains they feel responsible for and this has been a very trying time as there is little for them to fall back on. We are now looking to the government to provide more support for self-employed people and help them through this difficult period.”