Are construction and builders sites open today during UK lockdown?
THE coronavirus pandemic has forced all non-essential shops to close, but construction and builders sites remain open.
Last night, Boris Johnson ordered people to stay at home and announced he's asked the police to enforce the new measures.
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He warned people will only be allowed outside to buy food or medication, exercise alone once a day, or to travel to work if absolutely necessary.
But construction and building maintenance workers who are on site should continue to do so, communities and housing secretary Robert Jenrick tweeted last night.
Although, you'll need to follow the Public Health England guidance on social distancing.
Cabinet minister Michael Gove was questioned about the policy on This Morning today, and said: "There are different types of construction.
"If you're entering a home where there are already citizens, a family, you should not be doing that.
"But construction that takes place in the open air on new sites, that is appropriate."
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The UK lockdown has led to confusion though, and London Mayor Sadiq Khan has criticized the government for encouraging most construction workers to carry on working.
He suggests workers should not continue working except for essential public health reasons.
Last night, Graham Watts, chief executive of the Construction Industry Council, said Construction Leadership Council (CLC) chair Andy Mitchell had been in touch with the government for clarity about the position of construction sites.
He added: “The CLC chair has advised the Cabinet Office that the construction industry will come to work tomorrow [Tuesday], to prepare to shut down works safely, whilst awaiting further information."
The two meter rule has been branded unenforceable for construction even before workers get to site – given so many use public transport, especially in London, to get to jobs.
A note produced by the CLC on site operating procedures also admitted: “There will be situations where it is not possible or safe for workers to distance themselves from each other by 2m.”
If you're a construction worker and you're unsure of whether your site remains open, it's best to double-check with your employer for clarity.
Housebuilder Taylor Wimpey said it has closed its construction sites, show homes and sale sites due to coronavirus.
While its competitor Redrow said its sites remain open with "strict precautions in place including enhanced levels of cleaning, additional hygiene facilities and social distancing".
The Sun has also asked some of the other big construction firms, including Balfour Beatty, Kier Group, Interserve, Galliford Try and Skanska whether they plan to close sites.
Mr Watts told The Sun construction work should only continue if it can be carried out under the Public Health England guidance without compromising on safety.
It also requires that workers can travel safely and responsibly to sites, he added.
Mr Watts said: "There has to be a safety first message in all of this.
"There also needs to be clarity on criticality.
"Some projects are urgent and cannot be shut down (renovations in the health sector to create more capacity to manage coronavirus is an example).
"However, construction sites cannot just be left. They need to be prepared for closure and left in a way that is safe and secure."
Meanwhile, major builders merchants in the UK have closed for 24 hours while they work out whether they should keep trading during the latest lockdown measures.
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