We do hope you managed to take a break over Christmas as it is already shaping up to be another tough year. There are now lockdowns in place across all four nations of the UK; however, construction activities can continue and we have provided more information below. The TICA ACAD team is back and ready to support you in facing the challenges of both coronavirus and Brexit with the confidence and resilience shown last year.
We will continue to bring you the latest information and respond quickly and collectively to issues as they arise. The Construction Leadership Council (CLC) Task Force will be meeting twice a week for the foreseeable future, and we have a direct line into both Government and the CBI.
As ever, there is a lot of information to take in and our intention will be to provide sufficient details for you to determine if you need to find out more and then signpost you to the appropriate guidance. Please make sure you are following TICA ACAD on Twitter and LinkedIn as that is often the quickest way to get information to you.
The First Minister of Scotland Nicola Sturgeon and the UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson yesterday announced a new lockdown period to try and combat the seemingly relentless spread of Covid-19 infection.
With the growing Covid-19 rate through the winter months and the emergence of the new, more infectious, strain back in September, the rules for Scotland and England are very similar to the original lockdown from March 2020. These are expected to stay in place until mid-February at the earliest.
Within England, construction work can continue on site:
Work – you can only leave home for work purposes where it is unreasonable for you to do your job from home, including but not limited to people who work within critical national infrastructure, construction or manufacturing that require in-person attendance
In England the guidance also states trades can work in peoples home, the guidance published on 4th January states:
Where it is necessary for you to work in other people’s homes – for example, for nannies, cleaners or tradespeople – you can do so.
In Scotland, Nicola Sturgeon earlier announced broadly similar rules, crucially though compared with the original lockdown, the construction industry has been explicitly told to continue at this time.
Tradespeople can continue to carry out essential work in other people’s homes, including: – utility checks and installations – repairs and maintenance that would otherwise threaten the household’s safety – installing or repairing key appliances – supporting home moves.
Clearly, remediating damaged Asbestos Containing Materials that threaten the household’s safety or removing them to facilitate some other essential work is allowable. Routine work within a house though does not appear to be allowed at this time.
At the time of writing the devolved administrations of Wales and NI have not yet confirmed any new requirements.
Wales is currently in lockdown with ‘Alert Level 4’ restrictions in place until at least Friday 8 January when they will be reviewed. Construction sites and work in people’s homes can continue.
Northern Ireland is in lockdown with restrictions due to be reviewed on 23 January, although they are expected to remain in place until at least 6 February. Construction sites and work in people’s homes can continue.
Site Operating Procedures will be updated later this week to reflect the latest Government guidance in England although changes will be minimal.
Members are urged to remind the workforce of the importance of social distancing both in and outside of work to protect themselves and others.
As ever, should you have any concerns or queries over the coming days and weeks, please don’t hesitate to contact the team here at TICA ACAD via enquiries@tica.uk.com
