Covid and workers in your home

[DeliaOwens]

Hello all,
Now that we have got the Phase 2 lifting of restrictions coming on Monday, could someone help me interpret if we can have workers inside our homes and, if you have a source for this information, post it here please?

I have read www.gov.ie/en/publication/7ae99f-easing-the-covid-19-restrictions-on-june-8-phase-2/ and I can't see it specified but one chap wants to come back to finish a job (and keeps saying "ah sure, it'll be grand!) and my cleaning lady also called me about coming back (so as I to drip feed, I have been paying her through Covid, so I think she thinks she 'owes' me. I do not feel this!)
I feel a bit unsure about having people in my house, especially as we have been ultra ultra careful through lockdown and I'm slightly more immunosuppressed than a regular person.

What would you do?

Don’t have them in. Especially if you’re more at risk. When you feel more confident do it then at your pace no one else’s

You've always been able to have work done on your home by tradespeople throughout lockdown.

It’s been absolutely fine to have workers in your home this entire time - it was always a case of ‘if you can’t work from home then you can work’ and only bars/restaurants and shops were forced to close. I had my oven fixed during lockdown. I left some hand sanitizer and dettol spray and cloths on the worktop for him and left him to it so other than answering the door it was fine.
Some cleaners and tradespeople didn’t work for a bit but that was because demand fell or they felt it was the responsible thing to do during the peak.
In your case being immunosuppressed then it’s up to you - really if you’re concerned then don’t feel pressured to have anyone in your home to work. In the case of your cleaner though maybe you should offer to pay her notice in case she wants to give your slot to someone else? I’m sure she will be understanding if you speak to her about it, though.

@wherethetamethingsare
Yes, that is my plan but I'd like to be able to say the regulations say XYZ

@Everything all the chaps that were working on our house refused to return until they had confirmation from construction industry sources that they could.

I guess if it was someone coming to fix a shower or washing machine, it might be different. I had to have the plumber back because it was vital and none of us could be in the house while he was here (his rule).

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#going-to-work

Link above which includes:

"Work carried out in people’s homes - for example by tradespeople carrying out repairs and maintenance, cleaners, or those providing paid-for childcare in a child’s home - can continue, provided that the worker has no coronavirus symptoms. Again, it will be important to ensure that government guidelinesare followed to ensure everyone’s safety. These include practicing excellent hand and respiratory hygiene, and maintaining a two metre distance from household occupants as far as possible.
No work should be carried out in any household which is isolating because one or more family members has symptoms or where an individual has been advised to shield - unless it is to remedy a direct risk to the safety of the household, such as emergency plumbing or repairs, or to provide emergency childcare in a child’s home if a young child would be left unattended and where the worker is willing to do so. In such cases, Public Health England can provide advice to those working in other people’s houses and households.
No work should be carried out by a tradesperson, cleaner or nanny who has coronavirus symptoms, however mild, or where someone in their household has symptoms"

Guidance has now been updated away from 'stay at home and social distancing' to 'stay alert and social distancing' but no changes made to the above.

Individual companies did different things but the constriction industry as a whole was always able to work, in England anyway - might have been different elsewhere.

You "can". We are choosing not to though. I don't think the numbers are in the right place yet and don't like the risks.

Thanks guys. I am really appreciative for all thoughts on this. It gives me perspective. My husband is pushing the 'nobody is coming in her' 'this is our safe place' line because kids are here and we are both working from home.

@Everythingsgoingmyway - You've always been able to have work done on your home by tradespeople throughout lockdown.

No you haven't. Only emergency work allowed.

@ComDummings - It’s been absolutely fine to have workers in your home this entire time - it was always a case of ‘if you can’t work from home then you can work’ and only bars/restaurants and shops were forced to close.

No it hasn't. All but essential workplaces were shut.

@Everythingsgoingmyway - your link is to UK guidance. Totally irrelevant to Ireland which, given this is craicnet plus the link to Irish government advise in the op, it's pretty obvious the op is asking about phase 2 in Ireland.

op - my understanding is, provided social distancing can be maintained and the return to work protocols are followed, you could have people working in your house. However, I don't think that would be particularly practical for most. Stuff like cleaners/non-essential repairs are not particularly clear. I assume there will be some clarification over the next week or so. Personally, we won't have our cleaner back for a while as there are 4 of us in the house and it's not realistic for us to go out when she's here as two of us are working from home.

If I was in your position, I definitely wouldn't be letting them work.