The Glass & Glazing Federation has joined the call for Covid rules on Scottish home installation to be brought in line with the rest of Britain, saying the country’s home improvement is on the brink of collapse with thousands of jobs and businesses at risk.
MD John Agnew issued an open letter to the Nicola Sturgeon’s government urging an immediate easing of the restrictions that prevents tradespeople from working in people’s homes unless it is essential.
“Currently GGF Members operating in Scotland are only allowed to enter people’s homes for essential repairs and are not granted the same trust and confidence as English and Welsh companies,” he wrote, “The GGF requests that the Scottish government reviews as a matter of priority, their guidance on tradespeople working in people’s homes to allow all works to be undertaken in accordance with GGF Safe Working Covid Guidance and that from UK Government.”
Nicola Sturgeon unveiled Scotland’s roadmap to the easing of the lockdown on 23 February, saying there would be a ‘gradual easing’ from 5th April. John Agnew continued: “On the 16th March she provided more details and firmer timelines stating that the earliest return for non-essential retail in Scotland would be 26th April. There was no mention of when tradespeople could return to working in people’s home to carry out non-essential work.
“From reports from various sources, the Scottish home improvement industry is now on the brink of complete collapse with potentially thousands of job losses and company closures. If companies can ensure, they are taking all reasonable precautions and operating to the physical distancing and following the Government’s health and safety guidance, they should be allowed to return to work.”
