Builders ordered to stop work on home extensions
HOUSE extensions and other home improvement work will not be allowed to legally continue due to the latest tightening of lockdown curbs.
A senior minister yesterday confirmed that all extensions and other work on properties must be immediately halted.
Building industry leaders said it is ‘disappointing’ that work cannot continue – despite ministers telling the construction sector it can carry on operating.
It follows the tighter restrictions announced on Wednesday, which mean work is only permitted within a private home if it is ‘essential for the upkeep, maintenance and functioning of the household’.
Scottish Conservative leader Douglas Ross said: ‘The SNP Government are threatening to overwhelm businesses with a whole series of confusing messages that are changing by the minute, it seems.
‘SNP ministers must get on top of their own guidelines and provide clear and consistent messaging that ensures businesses know what rules they should be following.’
The issue of extension work was raised by Lib Dem Alex Cole-Hamilton at a meeting of Holyrood’s Covid committee yesterday.
Constitution and External Affairs Secretary Mike Russell said: ‘You would not leave a property that is not weathertight and unsafe, that would be a criminal offence. So quite clearly you should finish that.
‘But no, you shouldn’t, I don’t think you should continue with non-essential activity.
‘And can I stress… it is the purpose of the regulations that is vitally important, as much or more than the detail of the regulations. And the purpose of the regulations is to stop people mixing, in this case stop people mixing indoors.
‘Where it is not essential for people to mix indoors, I think it is absolutely clear that should not happen.
‘It is therefore not essential for something to be finished. But equally it cannot be left unsafe. So I think a very clear, logical, approach to this is necessary.’
Gordon Nelson, director of the Federation of Master Builders Scotland, said: ‘It will be difficult and disappointing for many to have to down tools and stay at home. However, we understand and support these new measures, which are necessary to help fight the spread of the coronavirus.
‘It is welcome that all other construction work can continue.’
Concerns were also raised yesterday about confusion over the rules for bakers.
Takeaway food and drinks can now only be sold if they can be collected through a serving hatch or at a doorway without a customer entering the premises to collect it.
But trade body Scottish Bakers raised concerns about the lack of ‘clarity’ over ‘food to go’ and the lack of evidence supplied to back up the new restrictions.
Chief executive Alasdair Smith said: ‘Food to go is a vital part of our members’ offer. Take that away and some individual businesses are not viable.’
Meanwhile, with outdoor alcohol consumption now banned, Mr Russell also said that he would ‘strongly counsel against’ drinking in the garden.
He added: ‘If you wish to have a, shall we say a glass of prosecco in your garden, nobody is going to come around and stop you and seize the glass from your hand and dash it to the ground. But, equally, gathering together is not what we want people to do. That is where the risk is.’