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Persimmon is latest construction firm to lift the lockdown
Construction was one of many sectors to widely shut down because of the coronavirus pandemic. Now there are signs that the industry is starting to come out the other side, as leading house-builder Persimmon has announced that its sites will reopen from Monday 27th April.
Over the last numbers of weeks, the company has been working to develop and test a set of new site protocols to allow work to resume, while ensuring that social distancing restrictions are strictly enforced, in line with government and Constuction Leadership Council guidance.
Supporting the UK’s economic recovery
Persimmon has not furloughed any staff during the crisis or used any of the governement’s Covid-19 funding schemes.
David Jenkinson, CEO, said:
“The UK Government has been very clear on the importance of the construction sector to the UK economy and its desire to see activity continue through the current period of crisis, provided appropriate public health measures are adopted.
“Nothing is more important to us than the health, safety and wellbeing of the public, our colleagues, sub-contractors and suppliers.
“Having spent the last month developing and testing new site protocols that incorporate the necessary social distancing and protective measures, we believe that we are now able to return to site safely and support the UK’s economic recovery from the pandemic.”
He thanked colleagues for their commitment and support during crisis.
Green shoots
Persimmon was the latest residential construction firm to announce reopening of sites, with Taylor Wimpey and Vistry announcing similar plans.
The move has allowed suppliers to the house-building industry to recommence production. Major brick-manufacturer Ibstock Brick will start a phased reopening of some of its factories from next week.
After weeks of news of ecomonic devastation, these announcements are surely good news and indicate the beginnings of green shoots emerging in the UK’s recovery.
Latest Site Operating Procedures
In order to safeguard construction workers who continue to work during the Covid-19 outbreak, the Construction Leadership Council issued new Site Operating Procedures (SOP), you can download a copy by clicking the link below.