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Construction sites will increase their working hours and operate later in the evening as part of the government’s bid to restart the economy.
Between Monday and Saturday, construction sites in England will be able to operate until 9 p.m. in residential areas, and longer in non-residential areas, communities secretary Robert Jenrick announced Wednesday.
He said construction sites could apply for this extension with “immediate effect,” as it would help the industry “catch up” on work lost for weeks at a time. coronavirus emergency shutdown.
“Flexible work hours” will also make it easier for builders to maintain social distancing patterns, Jenrick continued, adding that this, in turn, would ease the pressure on public transport.
He added: “These requests must be approved by local councils unless there are very compelling reasons not to.”
Home builders Taylor Wimpey and Persimmon previously confirmed that construction work had resumed, with the former saying the relaxation of the measures was a “very welcome” change.
Crest Nicholson said he would restart work next Monday.
Also in government daily press conferenceJenrick later came up with more plans to allow the property market to reopen.
Real estate agent offices, show houses and moving companies can open as of today, while virtual and in-person property visits can also restart.
Admitting that the guidelines “may seem confusing at first glance” because people separated from families during the confinement but are now allowed to visit a stranger’s home, he emphasized that visits should be virtual, whenever possible.
He added: “When visits are conducted in person, we have established a clear plan to ensure the safety of everyone involved in the property.”
This will include appointment-only visits, a ban on open-door visits, and discouragement of speculative visits, where buyers or tenants “are not serious yet.”
During the visits, Jenrick said that social distancing should be maintained, while all internal doors within the property should be kept open.
The occupant should also not be on the property at the time of the visit and is encouraged to use this time for permitted exercise outside, or “stand in the garden if possible.”
It is advisable to wash your hands, as usual. guidelines, and all surfaces should be properly cleaned once prospective buyers have left the premises.
Those who isolate themselves and have recently bought or sold a property “should not move,” Jenrick emphasized, encouraging alternative steps to postpone move-in dates for those involved.
But these new guidelines for the home sales sector have faced criticism from some ministers who said that the easing of restrictions “does not necessarily add up.”
Speaking earlier on Wednesday, SNP housing spokesman David Linden said the official message had changed from “staying home, protecting the NHS and saving lives, to four days later saying that you can tour the home of any stranger random”.
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Shadow Housing Secretary Thangam Debbonaire said the engine-focused ad had ignored those at risk of being forced to leave their homes.
She said: “This crisis has taught us that if someone is fighting, we are all affected.
“The ad focused on those who want to move home but ignored those who are at risk of being forced.”
“[Mr Jenrick] We’re talking about showrooms, but not homeless people, and we’ve shown that when we work together we can practically eliminate homelessness on the street in days. There should be no going back, but people in emergency accommodation face that. “
In response, Jenrick paid tribute to everyone involved in the “tremendous effort” to bring rough sleepers to safer accommodation.
He added: “But now we are in the next phase of that challenge and I do not underestimate how difficult it will be.”
