Coronavirus Update 18.11.2020

LATEST GOVERNMENT GUIDANCE CONFIRMS BUSINESS AS USUAL FOR CONTRACT FLOORING SECTOR

The Government has added further guidance on the closure of non-essential businesses during the current lockdown in England.

This confirms that there are no changes regarding the requirements affecting construction sites, manufacturers, storage & distribution facilities and builders merchants without showrooms.

These sectors should continue to work, following best practice procedures for reducing the spread of the virus. These include the latest version of the Site Operating Procedures and the Branch Operating Guidelines.

The full updated guidance is here and key points which may be useful are:

• It is for each business to assess whether they are a business required to close having considered the guidance and Regulations.
• Hardware stores and builders merchants (such as tools, timber, paint, plumbing and glass) can remain open. Where these stores contain showrooms in distinct sections, the showroom area should be closed to the public.
• Showrooms for products used in homes, including bathrooms, kitchens and glazing should be closed to the public.
• All businesses may continue to offer delivery and click and collect services (where items are pre-ordered and collected without entering the premises). People can also leave home to collect or return orders from these businesses.
• Premises are not closed to staff or other authorised personnel needed to maintain them, secure them, or to prepare them to reopen.

Tradespersons who need to visit other people’s homes for their work can continue to do so and should follow the safer working guidance.