Building sites

[Hazelnutlatteplease]

They're still open aren't they?

Well it's protecting small businesses too actually. My husband is a builder and when he stops we'll be in real financial trouble. Every day he can keep working (outside at the moment on his own before people get their judgy pants on) is a day that allows us to accumulate a bit more to try and cushion the inevitable blow that is coming. So, thank you Boris.

Here is a tweet from the housing minister on the subject this evening which clarifies it

The government's official Instagram page clearly states that the only people who are allowed to travel to work are key workers (yes, he should have been clearer about this in his TV statement).

I would imagine that builders are not classed as key workers.

I would imagine that builders are not classed as key workers

They are actually and the London mayor has been on TV saying he wants this changed unless safety critical because in London they're adding to the problem of overcrowded public transport. But in the rest of the country many will travel by other means so not the same issue.

"Only go outside for food, health reasons or essential work"
^^www.gov.uk/coronavirus^^ front page

^Travelling to and from work, but only where this absolutely cannot be done from home.^
www.gov.uk/government/publications/full-guidance-on-staying-at-home-and-away-from-others/full-guidance-on-staying-at-home-and-away-from-others

Nice and clear

He didn’t say essential. He didn’t say key workers.

He said specifically where absolutely necessary as it cannot be done from home.

The least people can actually do is listen.

This is what the link says.

Shopping for basic necessities, for example food and medicine, which must be as infrequent as possible.
One form of exercise a day, for example a run, walk, or cycle - alone or with members of your household.
Any medical need, or to provide care or to help a vulnerable person.
Travelling to and from work, but only where this absolutely cannot be done from home.

These are the four reasons. It is clear.

@Hazelnutlatteplease the government needs to sort out the clarity of its communication! I don't know how to link to Instagram, but the account is called 10 Downing Street, is verified, and states:

The only reasons you may leave home:
-to go to work (if you're a key worker)
Etc

In my own (v humble) opinion all building work SHOULD stop, regardless of it is forced to or not, unless by it not continuing lives will be put in danger. I don't see how most construction is different from the other professions right now.

@Bluntness100 I very much did listen. It is just frustrating that some messages from the government contradict with what he said.

Just re checked and they've changed the wording on the video they posted- someone must have royally cocked up when coming up with the original wording.

Still stand by my own opinion that most construction work should be stopped regardless.

IL's and DH run a construction company. They've got one large job due to finish on Thursday, scaffolding coming down etc and handover and are hoping to keep the site open. They can keep to social distancing guidelines because of the nature of the job but my concern is because the job is in central London with no parking provisions, the guys are coming in needlessly on public transport.

All office staff are WFH.

Some of the other jobs are planning to ramp up because they refurbish schools and a lot of schools in our local councils have merged schools together and are asking for us to begin scheduled works before summer holidays when we would usually do them. I am cautious to agree and begin work in case of further restrictions and we end up stuck with materials we can't use which just affects cash flow.

Sites are closing, generally when there is a case on site. I've lost 3 of the 8 I go to in the last week. I am a freelance consultant. Most on site are either the same or self employed. The consequences of closing then will have a huge economic impact. I believe that is the only reason they are allowed to remain open. I expect to have no income for a coupler of months at least and there is no assistance currently available to me. I hope that my current clients call me back. It's a brutal industry

He didnt say essential in the speech. Essential suddenly appeared on the website. Essential works should be like @NothingIsWrong's building sites, keeping the buildings were in safe and the infrastructure.

I totally agree @keentohelp. Nicola Sturgeon said as much too.

This site thats bugging me the staff are employed. The company furlough them the 80% government benefit kicks in. However they wont close voluntarily. They were banking on a boris lockdown.

I don't understand how builders can socially distance on medium to large sites. They do almost everything in pairs.

I live in a building site, is there a stage where it’s unsafe to leave a partial build?

The guidance doesnt seem to require you to socially distance at work. Employer liabilities are wfh if you can and wash your hands if you cant

We were due to have a conservatory fitted last week. But we are self isolating so they put it off until this weekend.

Do you think that they won’t be able to do the work?
With the new lockdown. The rules aren’t clear.

I don’t actually want them to.
As there’s some big structural work. And it needs plastering and electrical work doing.
So it means lots of people at my home.
So the risk of spreading the virus is high.

Builders cars still on the site where I live but not as many so whether they've turned up not knowing. There was talk about them doing split shifts, so different contractors coming in at certain periods to limit the amount of people on site but that was before last night, so we'll see.

Builders have arrived near to wear I live- I can hear all the machinery

Gove has said on BBC News that construction can continue

We are electricians and are not working anymore. A lot of our work at the moment is in peoples homes so we cannot guarantee anyone’s safety so not worth the risk. We will go to customers if there is an emergency but not otherwise.

The suppliers have emailed today to say they are still open but will deliver to us.

Construction sites won't close down unless forced to do so because contractors, subcontractors, clients etc will not violate the contracts in place. This is what DP's boss has said, and that's why he's been forced to go into work today. So now he's travelled 100 miles to go to a filthy building site where people cannot observe the 2 metre distance, and where people spit on their hands to get the fingerprint sensor to work
People keep stealing toilet roll and hand sanitizer from site. It is NOT safe to be on a large building site currently.

His boss is even forcing the office staff to go in! I am absolutely beside myself with anger.

To report on the site across from me... far fewer men on site at the moment but quite a few deliveries coming in. They do have a portakabin thing but I shouldn't imagine it's clean.

They seem to be 2 m apart at the moment. Poor guys.