The lifting of restrictions for the construction industry along with people who include gardeners and window cleaners, has been welcomed by the island’s Chamber of Commerce.
Chief executive Rebecca George said: ’Chamber welcomes the government’s announcement about the relaxing of restrictions which will allow some businesses - including many self-employed trades people who have been severely affected by the lockdown - to return to work, and to do so safely.
’We will monitor developments closely. While this news is a much-needed morale boost for the sectors that are affected and the business community as a whole, there are still many more challenges ahead.
’Our members in these and other sectors of the economy will have concerns in the coming weeks and months.
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’Chamber has been working closely with government since the start of the emergency and we will continue our dialogue with Chamber members, the wider business community, and government to ensure that businesses get the help and support they need on the road to recovery.’
Construction Isle of Man, a new umbrella body for the sector, says it has prepared sample risk assessments to help anyone in the building or allied industries as guidance for the protection and reduction of risk of infection to staff and to allow construction sites to be reopened and for work to be conducted safely.
A spokesman said: ’It is the responsibility of each organisation/individual to undertake their own risk assessments and the sample assessments are provided as guidance only.’
Bruce Thorn, 45, who runs a window cleaning business called Squeaky Cleaners, is looking forward to going up his ladders again on Friday. He said: ’I’m delighted to be able to go back to work.
’I work on my own so I don’t have to share a van with anyone. Most of my window cleaning customers pay me online so I don’t have to interact with any of them.’
Gardener Mark Thomas, from Ramsey, is also pleased he can return to work from Friday.
The father-of-two said: ’This could not have come soon enough. I am never within 200 yards of anybody and I work on my own.’