Build UK

Construction workers eligible for Covid-19 testing



The government has announced that Covid-19 testing has been extended to anyone with symptoms who cannot work from home, including construction workers.


This also includes people they live with who have symptoms.

There are two ways to arrange a test:

  • self-referral — this enables essential workers who are self-isolating to book a test directly

  • employer referral — this allows employers to refer essential workers who are self-isolating for a test via a secure portal

Construction industry organisation Build UK stated that its contractor members are continuing to reopen sites and reported this week that almost 70% of their sites are open in England and Wales.

The majority of sites are construction (81%) and infrastructure (78%).

Members that include housing in their portfolios confirmed that less than half of their housing sites are open for business, at 46%.

Productivity on construction and infrastructure sites is averaging at 67%.

London’s construction sites are achieving 56% output.

Build UK contractor members have furloughed an average of 30% of their staff.

The Construction Leadership Council is looking at ways to support the release of workers from furlough when the lockdown is lifted.



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