Covid 19
Service updates during corona virus (COVID-19)
Latest service update
We are open for business and our services are continuing to run but with some changes to ensure the health and safety of all our cleaners and clients during the outbreak.
Restrictions are different depending on which part of the UK you live in – please see the advice below for each region.
!!! Restrictions for England are changing on 5th November as England enters a month-long national lockdown until 2nd December. The government guidance is that cleaners can still work inside peoples’ homes.
Country Restrictions & Advice
National Restrictions (from 5th November)
From the 5th November, England will enter a national lockdown across the country, similar to the March lockdown where businesses will be forced to close. The lockdown will begin on 5th November and end on 2nd December. However the government have made it clear that cleaners will still be permitted to work inside peoples’ homes as long as the government guidelines on social distancing and staying safe are followed. We supply our cleaners with a set of extensive guidelines to follow during their scheduled cleaning visits.
Stay at home
This means you must not leave or be outside of your home except for specific purposes. These include:
for work purposes, where your place of work remains open and where you cannot work from home (including if your job involves working in other people’s homes)
Click here to view gov.uk source
Local Restrictions (until 5th November)
(Applies until 5th November) England now has a Three-Tier System of Local Restrictions: Medium, High and Very High. You can find out which tier your area is in on the government website here.
“People living inside and outside of the very high alert level area can continue to travel in and out of the areas for work.”
Click here to view gov.uk source
Can cleaners still work in clients’ homes?
The government has not made any changes in regards to work being carried out within homes. Domestic cleaners are still permitted in homes, no matter which Tier your area is in – as long as the government guidelines on social distancing and staying safe are followed. We supply our cleaners with a set of extensive guidelines to follow during their scheduled cleaning visits.
Can cleaners travel around a “Very High” tier area?
Workers are permitted to travel in and out of the areas for work.
“People living inside and outside of the very high alert level area can continue to travel in and out of the areas for work.”
Click here to view gov.uk source
What about the “Rule of 6”?
Tradespeople inside your home are specifically excluded from the “Rule of 6” and you will not be in breach of the limit.
“A tradesperson can go into a household without breaching the limit, if they are there for work.”
Local Restrictions
We want to reassure you that, following the government restrictions placed on parts of the Central Belt regions in Scotland and the latest advice given, the government has not made any changes in regards to work being carried out within homes.
Can cleaners still work in clients’ homes?
Domestic cleaners are still permitted in homes, even within the Central Belt regions – as long as the government guidelines on social distancing and staying safe are followed. We supply our cleaners with a set of extensive guidelines to follow during their scheduled cleaning visits.
“Work carried out in people’s homes can continue, provided that the tradesperson is well and is not showing coronavirus symptoms and neither they nor any of their household are self-isolating.”
Click here to view gov.scot source
(23/10/2020) A new 5-level restriction system will be introduced across Scotland from 2nd November. Our guidance will be updated when we understand the levels of restrictions closer to the date.
Firebreak Restrictions
Wales has introduced a 17 day “Firebreak” lockdown across the region, which began on 23/10 and will end on 09/11.
Can cleaners still work in clients’ homes?
The Welsh government has stated that tradespeople are still permitted to work inside homes, which
- includes domestic cleaners
– as long as the work is managed in a safe way and both the cleaner and household members are well and have no symptoms of coronavirus. It is recommended that people consider postponing services until after the restrictions end on 09/11 – as such our cleaning services will remain active and the decision to skip a scheduled clean during the firebreak will be left at the discretion of our clients and cleaners – we ask them to communicate with us to determine if any cleans should be skipped.
“Work carried out in people’s homes, for example by tradespeople, can continue as long as it is managed in a safe way and both the worker and household members are well and have no symptoms of coronavirus. However, we recommend that people consider whether the work can be safely deferred until after this short lockdown.”
Click here to view gov.wales source
Our guidance will be updated again when we understand the Welsh governments proposed restrictions after the firebreak period.
National Regulations
The NI government has introduced new regulations for 4 weeks from the 16/10 – which is scheduled to end on 13/11.
Can cleaners still work in clients’ homes?
The government has not made any changes in regards to work being carried out within homes (other than close contact services). Domestic cleaners are still permitted in homes – as long as the government guidelines on social distancing and staying safe are followed. We supply our cleaners with a set of extensive guidelines to follow during their scheduled cleaning visits.
“Households are not allowed to mix indoors in private homes. Certain exemptions apply, including: the services of trades or professions (close contact services are not allowed)”
Click here to view nidirect.gov.uk source
Our guidance will be updated again when we understand the NI governments proposed restrictions after the 4 week regulation period.
Things you need to know
Symptoms
The most common symptoms of coronavirus (COVID-19) are recent onset of any of the following:
a new continuous cough
a high temperature
a loss of, or change in, your normal sense of taste or smell (anosmia)
For most people, coronavirus (COVID-19) will be a mild illness. However, if you have any of the symptoms above you must stay at home and arrange to have a test to see if you have COVID-19.
Further government guidance for households with possible coronavirus (COVID-19) infection can be found here.
What are we doing?
We want to inform you of the actions we are taking as a business to protect our cleaners and our clients as far as possible during the COVID-19 outbreak. You will, of course, know the government have ordered people to stay at home wherever possible but with a few exceptions. On the other hand, we don’t need to point out that a clean house is even more essential during these times.
We are in constant contact with all our cleaners and are asking them and yourselves to take all the precautions you can.
If you or anyone in your household have any symptoms, please let us and your cleaner know as soon as possible.
We have also informed our cleaners to do the same if they or anyone in their household displays any symptoms.
We have always ensured that the same cleaner attends the same clients each clean and that our cleaners only use the clients’ cleaning materials, to prevent cross-contamination.
Whiter Than White and our cleaners would like to thank you for your continued support at this difficult time, it is much appreciated.
Latest government advice
Work in the home like cleaning can continue provided the person carrying out the work has no symptoms and that no-one in their household is shielding or self-isolating
Social distancing of at least 2 metres must be maintained
Travel to and from this type of work is allowed
No work should be carried out by any tradesperson who has coronavirus symptoms, however mild
More details can be found on the government website here
For the safety of both Clients and Cleaners, we have introduced the following rules
Cleaners must not clean if anyone in their household has symptoms (however mild), shielding or self-isolating
Clients must not allow cleaning if anyone in their household has symptoms (however mild), shielding or self-isolating
Clients must stay in a different room to the cleaner. Social distancing of at least 2 metres must be maintained at all times
Social Distancing & Face Coverings
Cleaning is one of the few exceptions for entering peoples homes; it is incredibly important that cleaners respect Government guidelines and clients’ wishes when they are entering a property.
Cleaners must at all times observe social distancing of 2 metres from anyone in the property
Face coverings are not mandatory, however if the client asks for them to wear one, then they should be prepared to do so
As always cleaners must never under any circumstances, take anyone (including children) with them to a clean
All cleaners must follow our detailed cleaning and safety guidelines
These are based on the latest guidelines from Public Health England, Health Protection Scotland and the NHS.
Thoroughly wash their hands before, during and after their cleans with warm soapy water
Surfaces should be cleaned using regular products and then where possible, disinfected using a product that is certified to kill 99.9% of germs, such as Dettol Antibacterial Surface Cleaner Spray or Xtra Protect Sanitiser
Special attention should be paid to “high touched” areas such as; door and cupboard handles, light switches, TV remotes, tables, countertops etc
Warm water (not hot or cold) should be used when cleaning surfaces and mopping floors, to maximise the effectiveness of cleaning products
Use disposable or machine washable gloves
Open windows where possible for ventilation
Wash cleaning cloths and mop covers at a high temperature (60°C or above) after every use
Avoid shaking dirty laundry and soft furnishings such as bath mats and rugs