INDUSTRYNEWS
IN WALES Lockdown continues with two six week reviews from 23 February . These reviews will determine whether the non-essential retail can re-open – though click and collect for nonessential goods can continue .
Working in people ’ s homes is allowed as long as the safe guidance is followed .
Working factories and on construction sites can continue but site operating safety procedures and social distancing must be followed .
IN NORTHERN IRELAND The Northern Ireland Executive has extended the lockdown until 1st April . From that date non-essential click and collect can resume . No further information on the easing of the lockdown have been released .
IN REPUBLIC OF IRELAND The Republic of Ireland government has extended the lockdown until 5th April and by this date will have made a decision on when to re-open construction and other industries .
IN SCOTLAND Subject to satisfactory conditions regarding the pandemic :
12th April Essential retailers list expanded slightly and non-essential retail click and collect can resume . No details on whether non-essential retail ( including showrooms and garden centres , concession stores ) will re-open .
3rd May Non-essential work in the home may be allowed .
A move beyond the strengthened level 4 into the variable levels is under the condition detail in the statement from the report here ;
“ Given the importance of vaccine roll-out to the safe return to geographically variable levels , we are therefore setting an important further condition that must be met in addition to the six WHO criteria for easing outlined above . This condition is that at least all of the JCVI ( Joint Committee on Vaccination and
Immunisation ) groups 1-9 must have been offered a vaccination prior to the return to geographically varied levels .”
In the Scotland Vaccination deployment plan the groups through to 9 are expected to have had their first doses by “ early May ” and have started in March , See statement from the deployment plan ;
JCVI priority groups 6,7,8,9 – We expect to start these cohorts in March and aim to complete first doses by early May 2021
The best case scenario is that at some point in March , Scotland may announce a move into the variable levels system however this would need to coincide with the World Health Organisation test being satisfied after the easing of the “ strengthened level four ”.
John Agnew concluded , “ The GGF is continuing weekly discussions with government on the issues affecting our industry including the resumption of canvassing and re-opening of showrooms . We hope these activities can resume soon for our sector but only if it is deemed safe to do so . In the meantime , I urge all Members and all companies in the industry to proceed with caution and continue to follow the GGF and Government guidance to protect the NHS and save lives .”
For further information go to : www . ggf . org . uk or for consumer information generated by the GGF please visit www . MyGlazing . com
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