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Jenrick: construction sites can remain open during lockdown
Housing secretary Robert Jenrick has called on housing and construction workers to stay at home if possible during the coronavirus lockdown, but has said sites can remain open.
In a tweet sent following Boris Johnson’s address to the nation last night, in which the prime minister brought in powers that would see major restrictions on the movement of people across the country, Mr Jenrick said his advice for those working in the housing, construction and building maintenance industries is to work from home if possible.
But he also said that those working on site could continue to do so but must abide by Public Health England’s social distancing guidelines.
Advice for the housing, construction & building maintenance industries:
— Robert Jenrick (@RobertJenric
🔹If you can work from home, do so.
🔹If you are working on site, you can continue to do so. But follow Public Health England guidance on social distancing.
🔹Outside of work, remember to #StayHomeSaveLives/a>Advice for the housing, construction & building maintenance industries:
— Robert Jenrick (@RobertJenrick) March 23, 2020
\uD83D\uDD39If you can work from home, do so.
\uD83D\uDD39If you are working on site, you can continue to do so. But follow Public Health England guidance on social distancing.
\uD83D\uDD39Outside of work, remember to #StayHomeSaveLives
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Public Health England’s social distancing guidelines advise avoiding contact with people who have COVID-19 symptoms (including a continuous dry cough and a high temperature), avoiding using public transport unless for essential travel, and avoiding large or small public gatherings.
Last night, Mr Johnson brought in unprecedented new curbs on public life to try to prevent the spread of coronavirus. These include permission for the population to leave their homes only to buy essential items, to fulfil medical care needs and to exercise once a day. If these rules are broken, citizens could face fines from the police.
Mr Johnson also said that people should work from home unless travel to work is “absolutely necessary”.
Earlier this morning on the BBC’s Breakfast programme, Cabinet Office minister Michael Gove provided more detail on how the lockdown would effect construction workers.
Speaking on the show, Mr Gove said that construction “should continue on site” as long as social distancing rules are adhered to.
He added: “I think it’s important that when we have construction work that can be done safely in the open air… it can continue.”
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