On May 11^th, the UK Government updated their lockdown requirements, and began to allow people back to work who could not work from home. This was great news for Maid App, as it meant that from May 13^th, cleaners could return to work in people’s homes – as long as they continued to take precautions.

What is the government guidance around cleaning?

The Government published a new document on May 11^th, entitled “Working Safely During Coronavirus (COVID-19) – which contained a specific section on “Other people’s homes: Guidance for people working in, visiting or delivering to other people’s homes.”

The measures that were outlined in this document included:

• Keeping visits to as short a time as possible
• Washing hands frequently
• Reducing the number of people, you have contact with inside the home

It also recommended that households leave their internal doors open so that cleaners – or other workers – do not have to touch them. Good advice as many people believe that the coronavirus can remain on surfaces for a long time.

The guidance starts off by saying: “This document is to help employers, employees and the self-employed in the UK to understand how to work safely during the COVID-19 pandemic, keeping as many people two metres apart from those they do not live with – or 1m, with risk mitigation where 2mis not viable.

We hope it gives you the freedom within a practical framework to think about what you need to do to continue, or restart, operations during the COVID-19 pandemic.

We understand how important it is to work safely and support your workers’ health and well-being during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Government is clear that workers should not be forced into an unsafe workplace.”

We have certainly seen an uplift in the demand for cleaners here at Maid App, with lots of people asking questions such as “how do I find the best cleaner”and “when should I invite the cleaner to my property?”

Can cleaners enter the home of someone who is isolating or shielding?

Although the easing of the lockdown restrictions is great news for many of the cleaners on our app – it does come with a word of advice. Cleaners are still not able to enter the homes of those who are isolating or shielding – unless the work is to boost the safety of the home owner as they isolate.

People on the shield list, for example, are considered to be particularly vulnerable to the coronavirus – and so need extra protection from it.

The Government’s advice reads: “No work should be carried out in a household which is isolating because one or more family members has symptoms or where an individual has been told to shield – unless it is to remedy a direct risk to the safety of the household.”

What this means is that cleaners are now able to work in the home of someone who is vulnerable, as long as they have not been told to shield – and the necessary precautions are taken.

“When working in a household where somebody is clinically vulnerable, but has not been asked to shield, for example, the home of someone over 70, prior arrangements should be made with vulnerable people to avoid any face-to-face contact, for example, when answering the door.”

“You should be particularly strict about handwashing, coughing and sneezing hygiene, such as covering your mouth and nose and disposing of single use tissues.”

So, the short answer is yes – it is safe to bring back your cleaner (as long as you follow the necessary precautions).

Download the maid app today, to find rated cleaners near you – or to sign up to become a maid yourself.