Guidance on travel to work is unclear

[minipie]

Does anyone know, is the new rule:

1 - you can go to work if you cannot wfh
or
2 - you can go to work only if you are an essential worker (and cannot wfh)

I think it’s unclear? Not affected personally but a lot of people will be.

Boris statement says says “travelling to and from work, but only when this is absolutely necessary and cannot be done from home”

Could be either 1 or 2?

My interpretation is number 1. Work is essential to the worker. I can’t imagine anyone would go to work for fun if thry could afford not to. Voluntary work that’s not essential is off limits now, I imagine.

It's unclear. We have guys who go out to site on building sites. They can't work from home but is it considered essential work?

We needed him to shut construction sites (except work on hospitals/roads etc) to make it clear. We don't know what to say to our guys.

Was just having this conversation with DH and agree it’s unclear. Eg a builder doing domestic building: can’t wfh but can the work be classed as essential? I don’t think so, he does.

X-post minmooch 🙂

We've just had this conversation- we deliver to building sites - it was so very unclear. The only take away I have is that all retail shops will shut...

They have not told any business which isn’t essential to close only places like shops where people gather. I work in a lab and cannot wfh but i don’t think it has to close so I will go to work tomorrow, if it’s shut I will come home

With previous measures eg school closures there was a more detailed follow up on the gov.uk website... but it takes at least a day to go up...

DH and I are also confused. He works as a subcontractor on construction of houses...obviously can't work from home, but is all "non essential" work now banned? And would housing construction be considered non essential.

I think it means any workplace where you have to go in as you cannot work from home that is not a retail place, church, library etc where the public can gather

The home builder's customers probably consider that work essential if they have a half built extension or similar.

I agree that this point can be interpreted as either 1 or 2 in your examples.

Essential to the worker as many will be self employed so won't get paid or government help if they don't work but not a vital service like food or medically related.

The government guidance has been published and it says:

Travelling to and from work, but only where this absolutely cannot be done from home.

https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachmentdata/file/874714/Fulllguidanceonnstayingatthomeanddawayfromm_others.pdf

Thank you concerned. That makes it clear it’s 1.

Still from a video on gov website.

Mixed messages indeed.

🤷🏻‍♀️

The info from Sadiq Khan regarding only essential workers, relates to London specifically I think (to keep Tube / public transport users to the bare minimum).

I think it's unclear too. I'm trying to work out whether to keep my online shop open. We drive to work in our own cars. It's not essential but we provide a service. Will all online retail be closing?

That’s interesting floatygoat that gov.uk video still does suggest it’s 2 and contradicts concerned’s link

But I think they are talking about using public transport. The tube was still rammed this morning. See? This isn't good. Still so much ambiguity!

Very unclear - as per bloody usual.

I think it’s 1 but I wouldn’t bet money on it.

DP has been told he HAS to go in because of 'contractual obligations' because the government statement is 'open to interpretation'. I am furious.

Oh, that's construction industry on a huge building site.

That video with the still showing that it is key workers only has been deleted.

Lala, do you have a link please?