Trusted Trader COVID-19 Support and Guidance

Updated: 19 November 2020

Summary

The Scottish Government operate a 5 level COVID protection system to help tackle the spread of the virus. We have provided the following information for consumers and traders, in particular to those of our members who need to carry out works inside residential properties.

• Please see the latest guidance for tradespeople operating in COVID protection level 4 areas
• For the latest information about the lockdown restrictions, always refer to www.gov.scot/coronavirus-covid-19

Guidance and Support

1. Overview of the COVID protection levels
2. Tradespeople providing services in other peoples homes - COVID levels 0 - 3
3. Tradespeople providing services in other peoples homes - COVID level 4
4. Requirements for Trusted Traders returning to work
5. Useful resources for businesses
6. Coronavirus Scottish official information

1. Overview of the COVID protection levels

Each area has a COVID protection level. There are 5 different levels starting from 0 to 4. The lowest level is 0 and the highest level is 4. To find out which level your area is in, use the Scottish Government COVID Postcode checker: www.gov.scot/check-local-covid-level

• Level 0 (baseline) and Level 1
  Within these levels, the expectation is a low incidence of the virus with isolated clusters, and low community transmission. The Baseline and Level 1 are designed to be sustainable for longer periods.
• Levels 2 - 3
  The expectation would be an increased incidence of the virus, with multiple clusters and increased community transmission. There would be a graduated series of protective measures to tackle the virus, focusing on key areas of risk – broadly, indoor settings where household mixing takes place with less, or less well-observed, physical distancing and mitigations. The measures would be intended to be in place for relatively short periods (2-4 weeks), and only for as long as required to get the virus down to a low, sustainable level.
• Level 4
  Within this level there would be a very high or rapidly increasing incidence, and widespread community transmission which may pose a threat to the NHS to cope. It is likely that this level would see the introduction of measures close to a return to full lockdown. Measures would be designed to be in place for a short period, to provide a short, sharp response to quickly suppress the virus.

2. Tradespeople providing services in other people's homes in levels 0 - 3

• For areas that are designated between levels 0 - 3, work carried out in people’s homes can continue, as long as Physical Distancing Guidance is followed and importantly, provided the tradesperson is well and is not showing coronavirus symptoms and neither they nor any of their household are self–isolating
• For a full breakdown of work in other peoples home guidance, follow this link:
  gov.scot - Work in other peoples homes FAQ
When working in someone’s house tradespeople should stay 2 metres apart from the people who live there, wear a face covering and follow good hand and respiratory hygiene.

3. Tradespeople providing services in other people's homes in level 4 areas

Tradespeople should only go into a house in a level 4 area to carry out or deliver essential work or services, for example:
• to carry out utility (electricity, gas, water, telephone, broadband) safety checks, repairs, maintenance and installations
• to carry out repairs and maintenance that would otherwise threaten the household’s health and safety
• to deliver goods or shopping
• to deliver, install or repair key household furniture and appliances such as washing machines, fridges and cookers
• to support a home move, for example furniture removal
When working in someone’s house tradespeople should stay 2 metres apart from the people who live there, wear a face covering and follow good hand and respiratory hygiene.

For a full breakdown of the level 4 regulations, visit the Scottish Government weblink: COVID protection level 4.

4. Requirements for Trusted Traders returning to work

• Social distancing restrictions need to be observed between traders and customers, with relevant PPE as appropriate
• No sharing vehicles with colleagues if possible, no working in close proximity to others on a busy site, including homeowners, tenants or other residents
• No work should be carried out in any household where an individual is being shielded, unless it is to remedy a direct risk to the safety of the household, such as emergency plumbing or repairs, and where the tradesperson is willing to do so
• Office staff should be kept to a minimum with home working preferable and social distancing essential
• No work should be carried out by a tradesperson who has coronavirus symptoms, however mild
• Ensure all staff are educated about hygiene within working areas. Wipe down surfaces, equipment, regular hand washing. Remove all rubbish or waste
• Be patient with customers, as customers need to be with traders. Some activities may take longer than usual, and levels of anxiety are higher than normal
• Employers have a duty of care to their workforce and customers. Please ensure any traders being asked to work in people's houses are comfortable doing this, educated to the risks and requirements, and showing no symptoms.

If these requirements can't be met, the business should remain closed.

Finally, if you have any concern that what you are doing may increase the spread of the virus or put someone in harm's way, then don't proceed. If in any doubt, err on the side of caution or seek advice first.

5. Useful resources for businesses

The Construction Industry Coronavirus Forum (CICV Forum) has been putting together many resources during the crisis, and it is worth visiting the CICV Forum download area as more are regularly added. Recommended are:

• Restart signage pack
• Returning from furlough guidance
• Practical health and safety advice about a safe return and restart

They have also released this useful video emphasizing the need for tradespeople to keep socially distanced.

6. Coronavirus Scottish official information

• NHS Inform - For the latest NHS advice about Coronavirus in Scotland.
• www.gov.scot/coronavirus-covid-19/ - Latest official guidance from the Scottish Government.
• coronavirusadvice.scot - Advice.scot has put together a Coronavirus Knowledge Centre, with advice around employment, financial, housing support and a list of useful contacts.
• findbusinesssupport.gov.scot/coronavirus-advice - Scottish Government dedicated business support page.

This advice is provided as an interpretation of the guidance set down by the Scottish Government. This page will be updated as the situation continues to evolve, or more clarification is required.

If you need to contact us, email info@trustedtrader.scot or telephone the Admin Team on 0333 444 7015.

Stay Safe