The government has confirmed that home cleaners are allowed to work during the current national lockdown, which began on 5th November.
The government has previously confirmed that home workers including cleaners, tradespeople and nannies are allowed to continue working in all ‘COVID alert’ levels, including ‘high’ and ‘very high’.
We’ve introduced extra measures to ensure that cleaning work is carried out safely, including enhanced cleaning and hygiene procedures.
The most important point is that cleans must be skipped if a customer or Cleaner has coronavirus symptoms or has been told to self-isolate.
We’re also asking customers and Cleaners to maintain social distancing during cleans, and to follow government advice on face coverings.
Please see below for the full guidelines we’re asking customers and Cleaners to follow:
Guidelines for customers
Customers should skip cleans or pause their account if anybody in their home has coronavirus symptoms or has been told to self-isolate.
Customers should maintain social distancing, and stay in another room where possible.
Customers should take extra care in observing social distancing if anybody in their home is clinically vulnerable.
Vulnerable customers should consider isolating themselves to a single room while their Cleaner is working, or scheduling the clean for a time when they are not at home.
Customers should open windows where possible and turn on extractor fans for ventilation.
Customers should leave all internal doors open to minimise Housekeeper contact with door handles.
Customers should minimise movement in corridors and stairs while their Housekeeper is working.
Customers should wash their hands before and after handling any cleaning products provided by the customer, including; sprays, cloths, vacuum cleaners & mops.
Customers should book a deep clean after a known or suspected case of coronavirus, and should make the cleaner aware of the possible contamination at the time of booking.
Customers with a fixed start-time for their cleans should consider changing to a flexible start time, to help the cleaners avoid travelling during peak hours.
Guidelines for Cleaners
Cleaners should book time off & not attend cleans if anybody in their home has coronavirus symptoms or has been told to self-isolate.
Cleaners should avoid public transport where possible, and use a face covering if public transport is used.
Cleaners should maintain social distancing at cleans.
Cleaners should follow government advice on face coverings.
Cleaners should take extra care in observing social distancing if anybody in their home is clinically vulnerable.
Cleaners should thoroughly wash their hands with warm water & soap for 20 seconds, before, during and after their cleans.
Cleaners should remove shoes, or wear shoe covers when at cleans.
Cleaners should open windows where possible and turn on extractor fans for ventilation.
Cleaners should minimise movement in corridors and stairs.
Cleaners should wash their hands before and after handling any cleaning products provided by the customer, including; sprays, cloths, vacuum cleaners & mops.
Cleaners should pay extra attention to ‘high-touch’ areas, such as; door and cupboard handles, light switches, TV remotes, tables, countertops. These surfaces should be cleaned using regular products, then disinfected using a product that ‘kills 99.9% of germs’.