Build UK Daily Update
Source - Build UK
The Government has published its COVID‐19 Recovery Strategy which sets out the plan to ‘return life to as close to normal as possible, for as many people as possible, as fast and fairly as possible… in a way that avoids a new epidemic, minimises lives lost and maximises health, economic and social outcomes’.
Build UK Chief Executive Suzannah Nichol attended a meeting with the Prime Minister on Sunday evening, comprised of business leaders and representative organisations. The Prime Minister confirmed that, as we enter the next phase of the response to the virus, the challenge will be to keep the rate of infection or R number below 1.0 and restrictions will be eased in a safe and measured way. Whilst the first consideration is the nation’s health, there is also the need for a strong economy which protects people’s jobs and ensures that the Government can fund the country’s vital public services.
The plan is for restrictions to be lifted step by step and the following changes, which will be familiar to the construction industry because it has continued to work, will apply in England as part of step one from Wednesday 13 May 2020:
- Workers should continue to work from home wherever possible
- All workers that cannot work from home, including those in construction, should travel to work if their workplace is open
- Public transport should be avoided wherever possible. Where it is used, the following Government advice is applicable: ‘If you can, wear a face covering in an enclosed space where social distancing isn’t possible and where you will come into contact with people you do not normally meet’
- Workplaces should follow the new guidance on Working Safely During Coronavirus (COVID‐19) which has been published for a range of working environments, including construction and working in people’s homes. The Construction Leadership Council (CLC) will review the Site Operating Procedures to ensure they are fully consistent with the new guidance.
There is no clear guidance from the Government or Public Health England on the use of face masks by construction workers; however, information on PPE and face coverings is included in section 6 of the construction guidance and Build UK will now look at what further information it can offer to help members.
With construction workers being ‘actively encouraged’ to go to work, the Open Doors website has more than 340 accommodation providers offering over 22,000 beds across the UK and Ireland for anyone working away from home who needs local accommodation.