In last night’s (10 May) announcement to the nation, prime minister Boris Johnson encouraged construction workers to return to sites as he revealed plans to alleviate lockdown
Boris Johnson outlined plans to resume economic activity while combatting the spread of Covid-19.
He said: “We now need to stress that anyone who can’t work from home, for instance those in construction or manufacturing, should be actively encouraged to go to work.
“And we want it to be safe for you to get to work. So you should avoid public transport if at all possible – because we must and will maintain social distancing, and capacity will therefore be limited.
“So work from home if you can, but you should go to work if you can’t work from home.
“And to ensure you are safe at work we have been working to establish new guidance for employers to make workplaces Covid-secure.
“And when you do go to work, if possible do so by car or even better by walking or bicycle. But just as with workplaces, public transport operators will also be following Covid-secure standards.”
During the Covid-19 crisis government advice has stated that construction could continue, if done so safely.
However, in March most construction sites shutdown.
Melanie Leech, chief executive of the British Property Federation, said: “We urgently need the government to publish the detail in its back-to-work papers and what public health guidance will apply as more people return to their places of work and have more freedom to enjoy public spaces.
“The overwhelming priority is to make sure that people are safe, but businesses will need time to prepare for and apply this guidance.
“As property owners and managers we have a critical role to play and we will work with our tenants in offices, warehouses and shops to support them and to make sure that the public spaces we are responsible for are safely managed.”
