Trade bodies in the construction industry, including the CLC, have called on the government to speed up ending isolation requirements for people under pressure from NHS enforcement. The industry, like others in the country, has been affected by telling people to isolate through the NHS app after coming into contact with someone who tested positive for COVID-19, leading to a staff shortage at the site. The government said earlier this week that it would consider exemptions for workers from some of the hard-hit “vital” industries, with a list of exempt occupations expected to be published on Thursday. Instead, the government will only allow specific people in critical jobs in 16 designated sectors – which include the waste and water sectors – to be exempted from isolation, provided they have received two vaccinations. Organizations will have to apply for certain workers to receive the exemption by sending an email to the government department, which will then decide whether to grant the exemption. The waivers will only apply until August 16, from the date people who have received the two vaccinations will no longer have to isolate. Many sites have now been severely affected, said Richard Beresford, chief executive of the National Federation of Builders: “Every member we have spoken to has had isolation of COVID negative employees, some had to close sites because site managers or other key employees are under pressure and there are no alternatives available. “. Beresford warned that the situation, along with other problems in the market, could even affect the survival of some companies. “It also appears that supply chain difficulties, such as the shortage of drivers, are exacerbated by this problem and there is now a real risk that the supply chain will collapse if we continue on this path until mid-August,” he said. CLC has called for an August 16 date to be brought forward. Andy Mitchell, Co-Chairman of CLC, said: “We have reports from across the industry of factories, sites and offices that have had to terminate activities where employees have been asked to lay off. This puts too much pressure on the sector, risks project delivery and even the viability of some companies. When vaccinated, The staff is already fully staffed, and recognizing that these people are free to work from August 16 in any case, we are asking the government to bring this date forward for essential industries such as construction, while ensuring that the industry does not stop.” The center added that bringing the date forward could also help increase the number of people who They were fully vaccinated. It echoes a statement issued by the CBI yesterday which said: “We can end the ‘epidemic’ by bringing forward the date when all those who have been double caught do not need to self-isolate if not contagious and introduce a test and release scheme.” The NFB chief added: “The government needs to work to ensure that its self-isolation rules are in line with the progress of the vaccination program and reflect an open society. Changes to self-isolation rules should be submitted as soon as possible.”
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