Construction Industry Task Force
The Construction Leadership Council (CLC) issued a press release on the 3rd April announcing the formation of a Task Force ‘to provide a focal point for co-ordinating the industry response to Covid19, and to facilitate communication between the industry and Government.’
It states its objective is ‘to sustain the industry through the current period when restrictions are in place, and to ensure that the industry is able to drive economic growth and prosperity in the UK once the virus has been beaten.’
NFRC has representation through its memberships of Build UK and the Construction Products Association (CPA) onto this Task Force. In addition it has strong relationships with several other bodies represented.
UK Government Guidance
Social distancing in the workplace during coronavirus (COVID-19): Working in people’s homes
You are a tradesperson carrying out essential repairs and maintenance in people’s homes. You can continue work, providing that you are well and have no symptoms. You should notify all clients in advance of your arrival.
On entry to the home you should wash your hands using soap and water for 20 seconds. You should wash your hands regularly, particularly after blowing your nose, sneezing or coughing, and when leaving the property. Where facilities to wash hands are not available, hand sanitiser should be used, and you should carry this with you at all times.
You should maintain a safe distance (at least 2 metres) from any household occupants at all times, and ensure good ventilation in the area where you are working, including opening the window.
No work should be carried out in any household which is isolating or where an individual is being shielded, unless your work is to remedy a direct risk to the safety of the household, such as emergency plumbing or repair.
No work should be carried out by a tradesperson who has coronavirus symptoms, however mild.
Also see Government advice for when working on construction sites.
HM Government Addresses UK Construction Sector
31 March: Letter from The Rt Hon Alok Sharma MP, Secretary of State for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy, regarding the importance of keeping sites open:
You can also download a copy of the letter.
The advice for Scotland is slightly different.
What is Coronavirus?
COVID-19 is an illness that can affect the lungs and airways. It's caused by a virus called coronavirus. Respiratory symptoms, fever, cough, shortness of breath and breathing difficulties. Whilst the UK Chief Medical Officers have raised the risk to the public to moderate, the risk of catching COVID-19 depends on where you live or where you have travelled recently.
What are the symptoms?
The National health Service (NHS) has identified the symptoms as experiencing either:
- A high temperature—You feel hot to touch on your chest or back
- A new continuous dry cough—This means you’ve started coughing repeatedly
- Shortness of breath (in more severe cases)
Where do I find all the latest advice on symptoms of Covid-19 and precautions for avoiding this disease?
The NHS has advised that most people can continue to go to work and that self-isolation is only to be undertaken if the individual has a continuous cough or high temperature; in this case an individual must stay at home for seven days. We recommend that to avoid information that has not been verified, you seek further advice only from these websites: