Follow the Guidance, Protect the NHS and Save Lives

Follow the Guidance, Protect the NHS and Save Lives

In the light of continuing high numbers of cases, fatalities and hospitalisations due to COVID-19, it is vital that GGF Members and all companies in the industry adhere to the GGF Guidance.

John Agnew, GGF Managing Director stated, ” From the recent Government updates, it’s imperative that all companies in our industry follow the GGF and Government Guidance to protect the NHS and save lives.”

Since the National Lockdown on 5th January and the subsequent restrictions, Parliament has now passed legislation to underpin the guidance. The GGF has reviewed this legislation and advises all companies to cease door to door canvassing until further notice and to conduct all sales activity remotely, though in England, if it is not possible to sell remotely then in-house selling is permitted, but safe guidance and social distancing guidelines must be followed.

This latest advice is based on Government information in relation to the latest variant of the coronavirus and its increase in the rate of infection combined with the numbers of cases as a result of the strength of the new variant.

In England, Wales and Northern Ireland, the Governments’ Lockdown announcements and tighter restrictions, still allows for trades people, sales people and surveyors to work and to enter people’s homes as long as they do so following COVID safety protocol.

However, in Scotland, tradespeople should only work in people’s homes to carry out repair and maintenance, if the occupants’ health and safety is at risk. This has now been enacted in legislation to strengthen the requirement for tradespeople to abide by the laws. Companies who continue to illegally carry out non-essential (repair, maintenance and emergency work) could face the prospect of fines and charges being brought if non-compliance is found.

In the Republic of Ireland from 8th January, Construction will close with the following exceptions.

• essential health and related projects including those relevant to preventing, limiting, minimising or slowing the spread of COVID-19

• social housing projects, including voids, designated as essential sites by Local Authorities based on set criteria

• housing adaptation grants where the homeowner is agreeable to adaptions being undertaken in their home

• repair, maintenance and construction of critical transport and utility infrastructure

• education facilities sites designated as essential by Department of Education

• supply and delivery of essential or emergency maintenance and repair services to businesses and places of residence (including electrical, gas, oil, plumbing, glazing and roofing services) on an emergency call-out basis

• certain large construction projects in the exporting / FDI sector based on set criteria

• in relation to private homes that are practically complete and scheduled for habitation by 31 January 2021, including where snagging, and essential remediation work, such as pyrite works is nearing completion, works should continue to enable homeowners access their homes. Heating, water, broadband and electricity installation should also continue to enable homes be occupied.

For more detailed guidance/advice in your geographic area the GGF advises checking with your local authority or if applicable your devolved Government, please see links below to the Government websites of the UK nations and the Republic of Ireland:

England (UK Central Government)

Northern Ireland

Scotland

Wales

Republic of Ireland

GGF COVID Guidance Table

The GGF has introduced a new COVID Guidance Table to clearly show you the implications in your geographic area and in your area of business.

According to reports the above is likely to remain in place until March (the legislation runs until 31st March) with the Government constantly reviewing the situation.

It must be stressed that the spread of this new strain of the virus is increasing and if you are continuing to operate, please make sure you are following the GGF Safe Guidance which is underpinned by the Government’s Safe Guidance.

You can access/download the suite of GGF guides for homeowners, installers as well as the new guide for manufacturers and the supply chain, by visiting the link below.

https://www.ggf.org.uk/publications/health-and-safety-publications/

The GGF will continue to update this page as and when the advice, guidance and/or legislation changes. In the meantime, stay safe and work safe.