What do the latest restrictions mean for construction professionals?

What do the latest restrictions mean for construction professionals?

With COVID-19 case numbers rising across the UK, the Prime Minister Johnson announced a new set of restrictions last week and stated that they are likely to remain in place for the next six months. Mr Johnson also warned that restrictions would be tightened further if necessary.

The changes to the guidance for working safely during COVID-19 have implications that GGF members should be aware of, with the Government introducing legal requirement to follow the guidance in England.

The below questions help to clarify the changes to the guidance[JB1] :

1. Can tradespeople enter other people’s homes to carry out home improvement work in England?

Tradespeople may still enter other people’s homes, provided the household or tradesperson is not required to be in self-isolation. If the household is in self-isolation, only emergency repair works may be carried out.

If an employer requires a tradesperson to enter a home knowing that the tradesperson is required to self-isolate, this will be punishable by law from 28^th September.

Please note that the ‘rule of six’ does not apply to workplaces. More than six tradespeople will be allowed to enter homes for work.

2. Does the guidance on entering people’s homes differ across the devolved nations?

The guidance for work in other people’s homes is similar across the devolved nations, with the notable difference that breaches to the guidance will not be punishable by law.

• Northern Ireland: Updated guidance outlines that all tradespeople “can continue to go into people’s houses to carry out work such as repairs, installations and deliveries.” Contraventions of the guidance will not be punishable by law (guidance).

• Scotland: Updated guidance for Scotland outlines that “Work carried out in people’s homes can continue, provided that the tradesperson is well and is not showing coronavirus symptoms and neither they nor any of their household are self-isolating.” If the household is self-isolating, then only emergency works are allowed to take place. Contraventions of the guidance will not be punishable by law (guidance).

• Wales: Repair and maintenance work can be carried out in people’s homes, provided the worker is well, has no Covid-19 symptoms and ensures a 2m distance is maintained. Contraventions of the guidance will not be punishable by law (guidance).

• What do the changes mean for those working on construction sites?

Work on construction sites can continue across the four UK nations and in the Republic of Ireland.

In England, employers who require employees to work while knowing that they should be self-isolation will be committing a punishable offence.

You can read the GGF and Government Guidance here