Service updates during coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak

Updated: 31/10/2020

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.

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."

Click here to view gov.uk source

• 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

• 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

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

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