Coronavirus: Confusion and criticism as government says construction sites can stay open during lockdown

Industry officials demand further clarity after builders told to head into work despite latest containment measures

The government has sparked controversy and confusion after allowing construction sites to remain open, despite Boris Johnson’s insistence that all nonessential workers must remain at home during the nationwide lockdown.

Following the prime minister’s address on Monday night – in which he urged the British population to “stay at home” – housing secretary Robert Jenrick said UK builders could continue to work on site where necessary, but must follow official guidance on social distancing.

Industry officials have since demanded further “clarity from the government”, raising concerns that the current measures in place are risking the lives of employees heading into work and the people they may come into contact while commuting.

This follows reports and images of packed Underground trains on Tuesday morning, while nonessential construction workers have voiced their anger at being told to carry on heading into work.

London mayor Sadiq Khan revealed on Tuesday that he had “forcibly” told Mr Johnson that construction workers should remain at home, only to be ignored by the PM.

Mr Khan said he advised Mr Johnson at a Cobra meeting on Monday that quite a lot of construction is not “critical or essential”.

Downing Street has since defended the decision to allow construction work to continue.

The prime minister’s official spokesman said: “It should continue where it can happen in a way that follows Public Health England and industry guidance.

“We urge employers to use their common sense when managing live projects and ensuring that employees can follow the government guidance and practice safe social distancing on site.”

Michael Gove, the cabinet office minister, reiterated the government’s stance on Good Morning Britain while saying that tradespeople, such as plumbers and electricians, could attend emergencies in people’s homes.

“It will be the case that the way construction sites operate will alter to take account of this guidance,” he said on Tuesday.

“It’s important to recognise we need to work with the sectors to ensure the work is done and enhance our infrastructure to maintain the economic health of the nation without compromising the public health.”

British Safety Council chairman Lawrence Waterman has meanwhile called for all nonessential construction work to be stopped in order to protect workers.

“The construction sector needs clarity from the Government – on most sites social distancing will be impossible or simply unsafe,” he said in a statement on Tuesday.

“Many thousands of construction workers are self-employed and don’t get paid if they don’t go to work. The government and developers need to work together to ensure that workers are protected when their building sites are shut down.”

While some companies said they were closing sites down and suspending work, others said they would remain open with “strict precautions” in place.

Transport for London (TfL) announced on Tuesday that its Crossrail sites were being temporarily closed but that essential maintenance of the transport network will continue.

Work on HS2 is also under a review, a spokesman for the high speed railway project said.

“We are working closely with our joint venture partners, who are responsible for their sites, the health, safety and well-being of their staff and the impact of their work on the adjacent community,” the spokesman added.

However, construction on other major infrastructure projects, such as the Hinkley Point C nuclear site, is set to continue for now.

The site’s 4,000-strong workforce will be halved in size in the coming days, EDF Energy, the firm behind the project, announced on Tuesday. The remaining skilled workers will focus on critical areas and will work in shifts with extra transport and staggered breaks to minimise contact, a spokesperson added.

Last week, one Hinkley Point worker said little was being done prevent the spread of germs onsite.

“When we get to the site, we have to clock in for our shift and there’s 600 of us who clock in and out at the same time,” he told Somerset Live. “At this point, there are no hand sanitiser dispensers so you cannot wash your hands. There are also areas where people touch. You don’t know what germs are being spread as a result.”

An EDF spokesperson said: “The safety of workers and the community is the first priority at Hinkley Point C and a wide range of measures have already been put in place to protect workers and prevent the spread of infection.”

Meanwhile, house-builder Taylor Wimpey also said it has closed its construction sites, show homes and sale sites.

But earlier on Tuesday, rival Redrow said its sites remain open with “strict precautions in place including enhanced levels of cleaning, additional hygiene facilities and social distancing”.

Electrician Dan Dobson said the government must provide support to self-employed workers – including about a million in the construction industry – and then shut down building sites.

“It’s not going to change until support is offered to workers who are registered as self-employed,” he told PA Media. “They have no incentive to stay at home, they have bills to pay.

“Everyone on site at the minute feels angry and unprotected.

“None of them want to go to work, everyone is worried about taking it (coronavirus) home to their families.”