CFA statement - 17 March 2020 - COVID-19

We are very conscious that the worrying situation surrounding COVID-19 is escalating on a daily basis. The guidance we issued in our February email update, when the impact was only just being recognised, remains valid by directing members to the Government’s main websites:

https://www.gov.uk/government/topical-events/coronavirus-covid-19-uk-government-response

https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/

The NHS website goes deeper into greater detail about the some of the basic precautions that we would like to reiterate:

• wash your hands with soap and water often – do this for at least 20 seconds
• always wash your hands when you get home or into work
• use hand sanitiser gel if soap and water are not available
• cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or your sleeve (not your hands) when you cough or sneeze
• put used tissues in the bin immediately and wash your hands afterwards
• try to avoid close contact with people who are unwell
• do not touch your eyes, nose or mouth if your hands are not clean
• do not have visitors to your home, including friends and family

Many member companies and others we work with have also taken steps to protect their businesses and workforce by considering activity as either critical or non-critical and avoiding the latter wherever possible. For example, limiting visitors to their offices and external meetings, which has also become Government guidance. We understand that many construction sites currently remain open and as such the day to day activity of fitting contract floors continues. However, there are also reports of growing restrictions and businesses being affected. It is difficult to predict if this will remain the case and there is the possibility that the Government may impose sanctions that effectively place the country in lockdown. The impact on members’ businesses in this scenario would of course be severe and unavoidable.

The CFA has a number of helplines including Health and Safety, Legal and Employment that may be of assistance with regard to specific issues. This is available via the members area of the website or request a copy via info@cfa.org.uk.

For the CFA, we are also applying the Government guidelines and will not be running face to face meetings or events for the immediate future. We will remain active and are currently looking at alternatives to ensure that the business of the CFA in supporting our members continues while we all navigate this pandemic. Communication is probably more important now than ever and so whilst we will maintain our basic principle of not bombarding our members with unnecessary contact, equally we will endeavour to keep you updated with any critical information. We are currently developing a blog on the CFA website that we hope will be in place over the next day or so. This will include basic information and ongoing updates; highlighting support, best practice, news of any guidelines or restrictions implemented by the Government and any wider business help or support that we learn is available.

Please be assured that we continue to work hard on your behalf.