In an open letter dated 31st March and addressed to all the construction industry, the government’s Secretary of State for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy Alok Sharma thanked all those working within the industry for all their help in the current crisis.
Within the letter the vital role that the construction industry is playing was made clear and it was encouraged that, where possible, things should carry on as normal; even if it is a new normal.
Under the latest guidelines construction sites can remain open and “work can continue if it is done safely”, including social distancing.
The guidelines also say that employers that keep sites open should allow employees to meet public health guidance, for example using practices such as staggered start times to reduce the burden on public transport during peak periods.
Construction workers employed on projects to remediate buildings with cladding, which is considered unsafe, would also be considered key workers, allowing their children to attend school during the lockdown.
Although most major housebuilders have taken the decision to either voluntarily shut their sites down or have done so after construction workers campaigned to #ShutTheSites.
Obviously this could all change overnight if Boris Johnson’s warning that tougher social distancing measures could be put in place if the virus continues to spread.
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