Over the last few days their have been announcements from the Central and the Devolved Governments of the UK.

The GGF contacted Central Government regarding the new restrictions following the Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s announcement of national lockdown in England from 5^th November to 2^nd December.

The Government replied to the GGF almost instantly confirming how the glass and glazing sector is impacted in England. The GGF also searched through all the latest guidance from the devolved Governments as well as the Republic of Ireland.

In general, our sector can remain open for business, there is the stark reminder that we need to ensure we operate safely and to the safe guidance. Here is the breakdown of the latest guidance and restrictions, as well as useful links to the key Government websites and GGF Safe Guides, should you need further information.   

In England:

1. Tradespeople can continue to work in people’s homes as can salespeople and surveyors if necessary, but ideally if anyone can work remotely they should.  
2. Door to door canvassing is still allowed but companies employing people to do this should make sure they are following the guidance, paying particular attention to remaining outdoors and at least 2m social distancing – note this may be affected by the local rules within the 3 tier guidance system
3. Those who work in construction and manufacturing should continue to attend their workplaces and follow the Site Operating Procedures or work from home if possible
4. Builders’ merchants and DIY stores can remain open (and will certainly be able to offer delivery or click and collect services) – although it should be borne in mind that there may be specific local rules relating to retail under the 3 Tier guidance system
5. It is not confirmed yet whether showrooms can or cannot open. The list of non-essential retail premises that will have to close during the 4 week lockdown will be announced later this week.
6. Government safety guidance must be adhered to when at work, and this is within the GGF Guidance Brochures for installers and consumers. Site Operating Procedures are also available from the GGF website.

UK Government links

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/new-national-restrictions-from-5-november#businesses-and-venues

COVID Secure Guidance (factories, plants, and warehouse)

COVID Secure guidance (working in other people’s homes)

Local COVID Alert levels guidance

Meanwhile,  there are no changes to the glass and glazing sector in Northern Ireland since First Minister Arlene Foster’s announcement on 13 October for a four-week circuit breaker lockdown.

In Northern Ireland

1. Tradespeople can continue to work in people’s homes as can salespeople and surveyors if necessary, but ideally if anyone can work remotely they should.  
2. Door to door canvassing is still allowed but companies employing people to do this should make sure they are following the guidance, paying particular attention to remaining outdoors and at least 2m social distancing – note this may be affected by the local rules within the 3 tier guidance system.
3. Those who work in construction and manufacturing should continue to attend their workplaces and follow the Site Operating Procedures or work from home if possible.
4. Builders’ merchants and DIY stores can remain open (and should certainly be able to offer delivery or click and collect services).
5. Showrooms can remain open.
6. Government safety guidance must be adhered to when at work, and this is within the GGF Guidance Brochures for installers and consumers. Site Operating Procedures are also available from the GGF website.

In Scotland

The Scottish 5 tier system to enforce tighter local restrictions was activated at 6.00am this morning 2 November. It is important to monitor what level your local area is in and review the guidance of what is permissible. This information is available here

Currently across Scotland;

1. Tradespeople can continue to work in people’s homes as can salespeople and surveyors if necessary, but ideally if anyone can work remotely they should.  
2. Door to door canvassing is still allowed but companies employing people to do this should make sure they are following the guidance, paying particular attention to remaining outdoors and at least 2m social distancing – note this may be affected by the local rules within the 5 tier guidance system.
3. Those who work in construction and manufacturing should continue to attend their workplaces and follow the Site Operating Procedures or work from home if possible.
4. Builders’ merchants and DIY stores can remain open (and should certainly be able to offer delivery or click and collect services).
5. Showrooms can remain open but may be subject to change under local rules under the 5 tier guidance
6. Government safety guidance must be adhered to when at work, and this is within the GGF Guidance Brochures for installers and consumers. Site Operating Procedures are also available from the GGF website.

In Wales

On 21 October, the Welsh Government updated their COVID restrictions with a view to these ‘firebreak’ restrictions lasting until 9^th November. Due to the UK Government’s decision to increase English restrictions, the Welsh Government has had to respond and the First Minister, Mark Drakeford, will be giving further updates this week, although the plan is for the firebreak in Wales to end as planned on 9th November.

The Welsh government has updated its guidance with regard to working in other people’s home’s;

“Work carried out in people’s homes, for example by tradespeople, can continue as long as it is managed in a safe way and both the worker and household members are well and have no symptoms of coronavirus. However, we recommend that people consider whether the work can be safely deferred until after this short lockdown.”

Companies can continue to operate manufacturing plants and factories and work in other people’s homes however there should be a consideration to defer the work and if that is not possible then the work should be in line with COVID-19 guidelines.

In Wales:

1. Tradespeople can continue to work in people’s homes as can salespeople and surveyors if necessary, but ideally if anyone can work remotely they should.  
2. Door to door canvassing is still allowed but companies employing people to do this should make sure they are following the guidance, paying particular attention to remaining outdoors and at least 2m social distancing – note this may be affected by the local rules and if it can be deferred it is advisable to do so.
3. Those who work in construction and manufacturing should continue to attend their workplaces and follow the Site Operating Procedures or work from home if possible.
4. Builders’ merchants and DIY stores can remain open (and should certainly be able to offer delivery or click and collect services).
5. Showrooms can remain open but may be subject to change under local rules.
6. Government safety guidance must be adhered to when at work, and this is within the GGF Guidance Brochures for installers and consumers. Site Operating Procedures are also available from the GGF website.

Welsh Government links

COVID-19 safe working guides

COVID-19 Working in other people’s homes guide

In the Republic of Ireland

The Republic of Ireland entered Level 5 restrictions from midnight on Wednesday, 21^st October. These restrictions are scheduled to end on 2^nd December.

This has the below implications for working arrangements in Republic of Ireland.

General guidance

• People should work from home unless they are delivering an essential service for which their physical presence is required.
• Movement beyond a 5km radius of a person’s home is permitted when delivering essential services.
• Employers that require individuals’ physical presence for delivering essential services, must ensure that workplaces meet current guidance.

Working in other people’s homes

• Tradespeople may continue to enter other people’s homes to deliver maintenance and repair services. This is considered an essential service, according to the guidance.

Other workplaces

• Construction is considered essential work, and all construction or development work and the provision of support services relating to construction and development work may continue.
• Essential retail and essential services will remain open. This includes hardware outlets and builders’ merchants.
• Manufacturing plants delivering products necessary for the supply chain of essential services will remain open. This includes such as manufacturers of glass and other glazing products.

GGF Guidance

Members should use the GGF’s COVID-19 Safe Guides and for manufacturers please refer to the Site Operating Procedures.   

GGF Safe Guide for Homeowners  

GGF Safe Guide for Home Improvement companies working during COVID-19

Site Operating Procedures during COVID-19

Notes to all GGF Members:

• Please monitor your local government websites and adhere to local rules/restrictions or information in specific local areas, if required.
• Keep to the Government guidance (which is also within the GGF Safe Guides)
• Carry out a risk assessment
• Apply reasonable and sensible practice when working during this deadly pandemic

The recent announcements and lockdown is in the main allowing our sector to remain open, but please ensure you stay safe and do everything practically possible to prevent the virus from spreading further.

It’s been a quite unbelievable year and one that many hope never to see repeated but remarkably the glass and glazing industry is coming back despite the many setbacks in 2020. This mood for optimism was supported by the reports from GGF Members who attended recent regional and technical meetings and shared their views on the state of the trade. Here is a summary of their responses.

Retail Sector

The retail side has seen an increase in enquiries beyond expectation, leading to pressure on the estimating teams. The conversion rate seems to be lower but overall record sales being achieved.

General optimism for the future even with the supply chain delivery issues and Brexit.

Consumers seem to be largely understanding about supply issues leading to longer lead times but for some the “COVID excuse”, as they see it, is wearing a bit thin leading to frustration. Many Businesses now looking into 2021 with the expected hard stop of enquiries not happening at all.

Commercial Sector

The Commercial Sector also seems very buoyant but with the added complications of pressure to complete to deadlines. Many clients do not believe that the COVID pandemic is to blame for increased lead times and in some cases insist on proof, some even talking about time penalties.

The biggest challenge is supply chain deliveries with hardware being particularly affected.

System Houses

The Systems Houses are experiencing a particularly challenging time, with approx. five force majeure letters issued across the resin supply chain, leading to many system house material shortages over the past few months.

This coupled with an increase in demand that has far exceeded even the most optimistic of forecasts has put tremendous strain on supply. System Houses are working hard to increase their output where possible to not only meet demand but also to build back the stock levels that have been used up due to the high demand. There is an expectation that resin supply should be back to normal by November/December of this year. The biggest challenge then will be production to meet sales.

The System houses are seeing an increase in enquiries from members of the public as to why the installers are increasing lead times, almost as if they are checking what they have been told.

Other challenges

The recruitment of temporary workers was discussed and there does seem to be available skilled and semi-skilled workers. This shortage is affecting some areas more than others, the Midlands does seem to be particularly affected.

Managing customer expectations was also viewed as key to getting through these unprecedented times. Currently leads times are reported to be generally 12 weeks with even more time required for special foil items.

GGF View

On hearing the views of GGF Members at numerous meetings in October, John Agnew, GGF Managing Director, commented, “It was very interesting to hear the positive views of our Members first-hand at GGF meetings via video. We have also received reports of different parts of the industry going through a “mini-boom” which is very encouraging as we are trying to recover from a quite incredible year. Let’s hope the green shoots of recovery continue but most importantly let’s hope everyone can stay safe whilst working through this pandemic.”

GGF Members are invited to all GGF technical, regional and country meetings which are held via video (Zoom) link. If you want to find out more about the GGF Meetings for the remainder of 2020, then please here and find out the dates, times and key contacts to join the conversation.

See GGF Meetings Nov-Dec 2020 here