Stay Calm And Carry On Working

UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson

The Prime Minister spoke on Saturday 3 Oct to announce a proposed new England-wide lockdown to be ratified on Thursday 4 Nov. He insisted he want people to carry on working where they can.

Boris Johnson spoke again at 4:00pm on Monday 2 Nov but added little more detail. The vote in the House of Commons on Thursday is expected to pass with a large majority.

The industry was waiting to respond. The Installer will report here on any updates. However, as working in people's homes and building sites to remain open, it is felt unlikely that new advice will be forthcoming - apart from reminders on social distancing and ensuring good ventilation in the home.

"From Thursday until the start of December, you must stay at home," said Johnson, stating that the lockdown would end on the 2nd but without ruling out another starting on the same day.

"Workplaces should stay open where people can’t work from home – for example in the construction or manufacturing sectors."

 

What you can do

The PM said: "For education; for work; for exercise and recreation outdoors, with your household or on your own with one person from another household; for medical reasons, appointments and to escape injury or harm; to shop for food and essentials; And to provide care for vulnerable people or as a volunteer."

 

What you can't do

Johnson added: "I’m afraid non-essential shops, leisure and entertainment venues will all be closed – though click and collect services can continue and essential shops will remain open, so there is no need to stock up.

"Pubs, bars, restaurants must close except for takeaway and delivery services."

Single adult households can still form exclusive support bubbles with one other household and children will still be able to move between homes if their parents are separated."

 

Vulnerable

The Prime Minister said: "If you are clinically vulnerable or over the age of 60, you should be especially careful to follow the rules and minimise your contacts with others."

 

Furlough

The furlough scheme will be extend until December. The Self-Employed Income Scheme has already been extended into 2021 - with the next payment available from December 14.

 

Testing

On Saturday 31 October, the Prime Minister said: "...we have realistic hope of a vaccine in the first quarter of next year...We now have the immediate prospect of using many millions of cheap, reliable and above all rapid turnaround tests - tests that you can use yourself to tell whether or not you are infectious and get the result within ten to 15 minutes.

Picture: Prime Minister Boris Johnson making his address on 31 October.

Article written by Cathryn Ellis
03rd November 2020

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