Two major regional housebuilders have halted work at sites, ahead of a letter of praise for the 鈥渉ugely valued and critical contribution to the resilience of our nation鈥 to the construction sector from the Business Secretary.
Beal Homes and Barratt Developments Yorkshire East have both closed sites and offices.
And while Prime Minister Boris Johnson鈥檚 statement on non-essential work is quoted, it appears at odds with his cabinet colleague Alok Sharma鈥檚 latest guidance.
Beal, acted last Tuesday, after the lockdown address, and said it had taken 鈥渇urther steps, as a responsible business, to protect the health and safety of all our staff and customers,鈥 when it closed the head office at Bridgehead, marketing suites and ceased construction 鈥渦ntil further notice鈥.
A total of 18 developments under the Barratt and David Wilson banners have been temporarily closed, confirmed on Tuesday, following the PM鈥檚 call for all non-essential businesses to close to help contain the coronavirus.
Daniel Smith, managing director at Barratt Developments Yorkshire East, said: 鈥淭he health and safety of customers and employees is our number one priority and we took the decision last week to temporarily close our 18 offices and sites across the region. We have shut down safely and securely but as quickly as possible.鈥
Developments include Hull-based builds Tranby Fields, Harrier Chase, Harland Park, Poppy Fields, Queens Court and Hesslewood Park.
Mr Sharma addressed the industry in an open letter released on Tuesday, paying tribute to 鈥渁ll those who are working tirelessly within the construction industry, delivering on large or small construction sites across the country, in builders鈥 merchants and logistics providers, or producing construction and mineral products鈥.
Coronavirus and the Humber:
He told how 鈥渙ur country and our economy needs all our support,鈥 explaining how the industry had answered the call to action.听
鈥淲hether by building temporary hospital wards, installing complex and life-saving oxygen systems, constructing the infrastructure that society needs to function or ensuring that people have safe and healthy homes
to live in, you are delivering for our nation through this difficult time,鈥 he said. 鈥淢y heartfelt and personal thanks for everything that each and every one of you is doing to support our joint national effort.鈥
Underlining the position on social distancing, Mr Sharma said: 鈥淭he Government has advised that wherever possible, people should work at home.
鈥淗owever, we know that for many people working in construction their job requires them to travel to their place of work, and they can continue to do so. This is consistent with the Chief Medical Officer鈥檚 advice.鈥
Site operating procedures have been developed, published by the Construction Leadership Council - covering travel to site, access, amenities, welfare, avoidance of close working and cleaning.
鈥淭hese align with the latest guidance from Public Health England,鈥 Mr Sharma said, adding they will reflect changes as health guidance updates.
鈥淵ou are making a hugely valued and critical contribution to the resilience of our nation and I salute you for the enormous efforts you are individually undertaking to support the 海角视频 economy,鈥 he said.
Hull-based national builders' merchants MKM has also closed all branch and online operations.
Major commercial construction projects, including Arco鈥檚 拢16 million headquarters and C4DI expansion had been continuing, but Arco said in annual results released this week work had been halted.
The move will make way for construction activity related to the 拢355 million A63 Castle Street upgrade, which now is now overdue Transport Secretary approval.听
