BEIS has clarified the role of key and essential worker in the heating sector in relation to testing for COVID-19. We understand that this will apply to other tradespersons providing essential cover i.e our installation companies and locksmiths.
The following statement has been received which we hope some of you will find useful:
“You will have seen that Covid-19 testing capacity in England has been extended to all key workers and their households with symptoms. We can confirm that workers delivering essential services in the utilities sector, which encompasses heat, are now eligible for testing.
The Government’s guidance remains that tradespeople entering home’s should only be undertaking essential repairs and maintenance.
No work should be carried out by a tradesperson who has coronavirus symptoms, however mild. Those with symptoms that need to return to work to undertake essential activity in the heat sector must get tested before doing so.”
We have not received specific clarification for fenestration but would envisage that the same rules will apply. Once we hear anything definite we will update this information.
However it is very clear that BEIS do not expect any non essential work to be undertaken in homes at this time.
More information, and the option to self-refer for a test, is available online at https://buff.ly/335AxLT.