Welsh “circuit breaker” impact on kbb projects

kitchen and bathroom installations must stop from Friday October 23 at 6pm until 12.01am Monday, November 9, 2020.

20 Oct, 20

Following the announcement by the Welsh Government to adopt a “circuit breaker” to slow the spread of Coronavirus, all non-essential work such as kitchen and bathroom installations must stop.

Welsh "circuit break" impact on kbb projects

The circuit breaker will take effect from Friday October 23 at 6pm and will last for just over two weeks finishing at 12.01am Monday, November 9, 2020.

Failure to stop work on kitchen and bathroom installations will result in breaking the law.

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The British Institute of Kitchen, Bedroom and Bathroom Installation (BiKBBI) has issued advice which says work can only take place inside other’s people homes if it is urgent or to repair a fault which poses a risk to safety.

However, it states work should not be carried out at someone’s else house if the worker or any member of the household is self-isolating or showing COVID-19 symptons.

The BiKBBI reports if attendance is unavoidable (because of an urgent or emergency situation), additional precautions should be taken to keep workers and householders seperate.

Public Health Wales can provide advice to tradespeople and households.

If work has already been started in a home, it must be left unless it is unsafe to leave the work incomplete.

The BiKBBI reports retailers and installers are able to attend the house to ensure the environment is safe and collect belongings, for examples tools, at soon as possible but must spend the least amount of time possible there.

It also points out, if work has been planned during the “circuit break”, it must be rearranged or projects cancelled and deposits refunded.

If the customer moves out of the property and the home is vacant throughout the duration of an installation, including overnight, then work can continue on a project.

Details of business support can be found on the Welsh Government website.

The BiKBBI recently updated advice for tradespeople working in people’s homes, which now currently only covers England and Scotland.

Following publication of this story the Welsh Government has announced kbb trades can work during the “circuit breaker” lockdown.