The COVID-19 situation is constantly evolving, and with four different governments making announcements on a near-daily basis, you can perhaps be forgiven if you've lost track of the current rules for your part of the UK.
A lot of people - including both lawn care professionals and the homeowners who require their services - don't seem to know whether lawn care companies are allowed to continue working right now. Let's take a look at the latest rules (as of 20th November 2020) and what they mean for your lawn.
Since we're based in Cardiff, we'll start with Wales before moving on to the other three nations that make up the United Kingdom.
Coronavirus rules for Wales
Correct as of 11am on Friday 20 November
Lawn care companies CAN work under the current COVID-19 rules for Wales. Most lawn maintenance work takes place outdoors, where the risk of coronavirus transmission is lower.
Meeting other people in their homes is currently not allowed, and lawn care workers should avoid entering customers' homes if at all possible. However, the current Welsh rules do make allowances for "tradespeople having to undertake work in your home".
Welsh government guidance asks businesses to take "reasonable measures" to minimise the risk of coronavirus transmission, including:
- Maintaining a distance of 2 metres between all individuals
- Limiting close face-to-face interaction as much as possible
- Keeping the number of people on site to a minimum
Businesses must carry out a COVID-19 risk assessment to identify sensible means of controlling risk. For more information, see Construction and outdoor work: coronavirus workplace guidance.
Coronavirus rules for England
Correct as of 11am on Friday 20 November
At time of writing, England is under nationwide lockdown restrictions. Nevertheless, lawn care companies CAN work in England, even during the current lockdown.
Since lawn care workers cannot do their job from home, they may continue to go to work. UK government guidance states:
"Where it is necessary for you to work in other people's homes [...] you can do so. Otherwise, you should avoid meeting for work in a private home or garden"
Visit the UK government's Business Support page for more advice on running your business safely during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Coronavirus rules for Scotland
Correct as of 11am on Friday 20 November
Different parts of Scotland are subject to different restrictions depending on the risk of COVID-19 transmission in that area.
To find exactly what is and isn't permitted in your local area, use the Scottish government's protection level postcode checker.
Broadly speaking, though, lawn care companies CAN work in Scotland as long as:
Coronavirus rules for Northern Ireland
Correct as of 11am on Friday 20 November
The Northern Ireland Executive has announced that tighter restrictions will take effect in Northern Ireland from 12.01am on Friday 27 November.
The new rules will force non-essential retailers and "close contact services" to close. Tradespeople will still be permitted to enter homes if providing a non-close contact service.
As with the other UK nations, lawn care companies in Northern Ireland CAN continue working as long as reasonable measures are taken to minimise risk. Visit nibusinessinfo.co.uk for more information on how to work safely.
Do you need our lawn care services? Get in touch >
