Decorators and coronavirus

[Creamegg11]

So having read government guidelines to see if we were allowed, we decided to go ahead this week to get the exterior of our house painted whilst I’m working from home. Two day job and another two separate days for installing and removing scaffolding.
Decorators stayed outside in the garden and wore masks and gloves when walking through house and we kept the required 2m apart.

A knock on the door from police saying a neighbour had complained about us not adhering to the lockdown rules by having decorators in. Police tells us we haven’t done anything wrong and we can continue with the works but to observe the 2m rule. They told us that they are there to stop neighbour hassling them and to show they have spoken to us.

Well I’m really disappointed as I’d have thought a word from said “friendly” neighbour would have suffice instead of contacting the police.

[chickedeee]

I can understand why you feel disappointed

Some people are quite enjoying the ability to 'tell others off'.

The same type of person who does the clap for the NHS and spends a lot of time looking around making a mental note of who is and who is not there

[Creamegg11]

Yes said neighbour is out every week clapping and banging on pans. They do their weekly shop at the supermarket and I’m sure that’s no different in keeping the two metre distance as when my I had my decorators round. In fact there’s more people at the supermarket/people in the 2m apart queue.

Doesn’t the government say to support businesses as I’m sure they’re quite a few self employed people out there financially worried.

We as a family have not been out the last five weeks and have our shopping delivered. I could understand more for the police call if I had friends or even family round. I’m really disappointed as I have always been friendly with said neighbour. My husband said it could be another neighbour but I’m certain I know which one and feel like having a word with them.

[JustVisiting9]

I assume the decorators are self employed or a small business. It is good that you were able to find a way to have the work done safely, so they can continue to earn an income and put food on their table.

My window cleaner told me he's had the police called on him a couple of times, even though he only cleans the outside windows and doesn't see his customers (most people pay online because they're not usually home when he comes).

People should stop this - the police have more important things to deal with.

[Crunchymum]

My DP is a self employed decorator and he has been mainly off since 23rd March.

He is currently doing some outside work on an empty property, observing social distancing etc.

Yes he will get government help, but not yet so the money is essential (I'm still working but I'm PT).

[Ohchristmastreeohchristmastree]

Why did the police see you to tell you that you hadn’t done anything wrong and they just doing it to placate your neighbour!

Could they not tell your neighbours that you’d not done anything wrong and to back off! I’m sure they deal with hardened criminals, can they not handle a local busybody!

[Lovinglockdownlife]

Continue the work. I’d take great pleasure in seeing the neighbour while the work continued. I’d even give them a wave

[NotEverythingIsBlackandWhite]

My husband said it could be another neighbour but I’m certain I know which one and feel like having a word with them.
You'd look stupid if you were wrong and it was a different neighbour.

[userxx]

Your neighbours are twats. Please keep supporting the self-employed.

[Creamegg11]

Ironically said neighbour asked us a week ago over the fence who should she call as we had some shall we say, non residents making a lot of noise in a group outside on our road at 11pm. Going by previous episodes, I’m sure it’s her but however much I like to speak to them politely, yes I will look stupid if it wasn’t but my instincts ...,

Police even apologised to us for having to speak to us. My husband opened the door to them so I just got the tail end of it and I couldn’t speak as I was surprised.

Yes decorator is self employed and mentioned no access to government help to at least June and as he says, has a mortgage to pay but will only work on inside empty properties or exterior painting.

[userxx]

@Creamegg11 Yep, I'm literally not earning a bean at the moment and will have to wait until June. I'm massively grateful to my clients who are paying me, it's helping with the office overheads.

[Creamegg11]

It’s tough out there for sure. I’m fortunate to be able to work from home.

Just realised neighbour could have got me a fine if I was doing something wrong. It’s annoying as police could be utilising their time more productively. I personally feel it’s not nice having police turn up on your doorstep.

[puffinandkoala]

Police were stupid. They didn't need to talk to you at all.

In fact they should have fined the neighbour for wasting police time.