In the announcement about the lifting of Covid restrictions on Monday (12 July) the Prime Minister said "caution is absolutely vital". Contractors seem to have taken that to heart and in a survey carried out by BuildUK among its contractor members after the announcement 89% said they would maintain social distancing on at least some of their sites after 19 July. 

There were also 59% who said they would continue to require masks to be worn in common areas and welfare facilities and 41% said they would maintain Site Operating Procedures in full until at least 16 August, when the requirement to self-isolate for those who have had close contact with anyone who has Covid-19 will be revised for those who have had both doses of the vaccine or are under 18.

In offices, 81% of the contractors said they would maintain some kind of social distancing although only 46% said they would require masks to be worn in common areas.

The Construction Leadership Council (CLC) plans to issue a new statement regarding its Site Operating Procedures and Use of Face Coverings in Construction from Monday 19 July tomorrow morning (15 July).