Welsh ‘fire break’ stops in-home construction

The ‘fire break’ coronavirus lockdown of just over two weeks announced for Wales will ban construction work in people’s homes unless it is urgent.

Issuing updated guidance on the situation in Wales following the announcement of the lockdown from 23 October to 9 November, Build UK warned that it would affect tradespeople working inside people’s homes.

In a section of ‘frequently asked questions’ published by the Welsh government, it stated: “Work carried out inside other people’s homes can only take place if it is urgent or to repair a fault which poses a direct risk to people’s safety”.

The guidance added that work already underway cannot be completed “unless the work is urgent or it would be unsafe to leave the work incomplete”.

Construction sites in Wales and work outside or in unoccupied homes can continue and these workers should still travel to work. In the event of workers being stopped on journeys to and from sites, Build UK has produced an authorisation letter template for employers.