Are window cleaners still allowed to work during Coronavirus (Covid-19)?

[ks789]

I dont think you will need to worry for long mate. Around my area the police are stopping vehicles all the time checking where they are going. My wife works for a care company and they have had people told to return home by police even through they were actually working with Id badges but police have told the company unless they have written permission with details of calls they are making even Id is not sufficient anymore. So the chance of a window cleaner being allowed to work is highly unlikely. I know this is contradicting some of the government statements online etc but I think the chancellor made it clear when he said we want the self employed to stay at home that's why we will pay 80% of your wages for atleast 3 months and listen to any police or NHS worker its gonna be alot longer than 3 months we are off for the first 3 months is the initial payment grant. Before people say well if the police say that to me I will complain to senior officers or show them youtube clips of nicola sturgen etc well good luck with that cos from what I've heard from the people being pulled over round here even care workers they dont care there instruction is very clear  from the government only essential journeys for key workers or to and from a shop to buy essential groceries. On my estate I know another window cleaner and couple of gardeners all have packed up and I'm hearing from local windie mates that buy there pure water that the 2 suppliers have packed up now so unless people drive over an hour to a spotless place they have no pure. 

 I sincerely hope your wrong about not being able to work lasting longer than 3 months. As it is that grant will only give me about £500 a month max as i only have 2 years accounts up to this april 5. They are not using this one thats due after this april 5, only my first year one will be used which was obviously low as i'd just started and a lot of earnings went on the gear I had to buy. They also are not really gonna want it to drag on, as the problems indirectly will cause as many or more deaths than the virus itself, Mental health/suicide/domestic abuse/business permanently folded. on and on.

 

[Skxawng]

South Yorkshire Police replied to my message:

"Hi Laurie. The police are using the same guidelines as are available to yourself on the gov.uk website. The government are only wanting people to leave their homes if it is absolutely necessary. It is not essential for people to have their windows cleaned. The government guidelines are temporary and have been implemented to keep people safe and ease the pressure on the NHS which will allow severely ill patients to receive the care they need. The more time you spend out of your house, the higher the risk of contracting Covid-19 is to yourself. It also increases the risk of you spreading it to other people (you may already be infected and not know as not everyone displays symptoms). The government have introduced financial support for self-employed people and we suggest that you explore these options instead of continuing to work for the time being."

It's a pretty clear stance. I pointed out the parts of GOV website that were confusing like:

"it is important for businesses to carry on"

and

"Work carried out in people’s homes, for example by tradespeople carrying out repairs and maintenance, can continue"

But they are still saying that only essential workers should be traveling.

At least that's pretty clear, so I'll be using that if, in a future date I get told that I should have been working.

 

[scottish cleaning service]

How are you dealing with cash payments as most of mine are cash payments ?

I just say I will collect next month or through Bacs as I have Bacs cards made up.

 

[chris clean]

 I sincerely hope your wrong about not being able to work lasting longer than 3 months. As it is that grant will only give me about £500 a month max as i only have 2 years accounts up to this april 5. They are not using this one thats due after this april 5, only my first year one will be used which was obviously low as i'd just started and a lot of earnings went on the gear I had to buy. They also are not really gonna want it to drag on, as the problems indirectly will cause as many or more deaths than the virus itself, Mental health/suicide/domestic abuse/business permanently folded. on and on.

I totally agree mate I hope not too as although our situations are different if it goes longer than 3 months I will be starting to worry alot more. And I think your right about the other implications of lockdown especially mental health. I am simply passing on what I have heard through serving police officers and in my wifes profession she is in touch with lots of NHS workers and the prediction seems to be the peak of deaths being June and it seems unlikely that on that day when they hope the deaths have peaked and may hopefuly start a decline they are going to say right that's that lockdown over everyone back to work 

 

[davewindowcleaner]

I am getting concerned how long this will go on for.

China is not being truthful how many people have died from coronavirus.

It doesn't make sense how China with a population over 1 billion have lower deaths than Italy and Spain.

France have already extend lockdown for further 2 weeks.

 

[chris clean]

South Yorkshire Police replied to my message:

"Hi Laurie. The police are using the same guidelines as are available to yourself on the gov.uk website. The government are only wanting people to leave their homes if it is absolutely necessary. It is not essential for people to have their windows cleaned. The government guidelines are temporary and have been implemented to keep people safe and ease the pressure on the NHS which will allow severely ill patients to receive the care they need. The more time you spend out of your house, the higher the risk of contracting Covid-19 is to yourself. It also increases the risk of you spreading it to other people (you may already be infected and not know as not everyone displays symptoms). The government have introduced financial support for self-employed people and we suggest that you explore these options instead of continuing to work for the time being."

It's a pretty clear stance. I pointed out the parts of GOV website that were confusing like:

"it is important for businesses to carry on"

and

"Work carried out in people’s homes, for example by tradespeople carrying out repairs and maintenance, can continue"

But they are still saying that only essential workers should be traveling.

At least that's pretty clear, so I'll be using that if, in a future date I get told that I should have been working.

Yep couldnt be much clearer than that. I think aswell the repairs and maintenance if we use our common sense would be a plumber fixing a families broken boiler or sparkie fixing a house with no power. Some window cleaners on here seem to think clean windows are essential key work statements like this from police forces and the chancellor saying we want you to stay at home may hopefuly get through to some of them!!

 

[dmw]

Hi all, I've been in the house all week i have asthma but it does not hinder me in traditional window cleaning , I last worked on Sunday but I was finding that customers were not keeping their distance. 

I know I should just tell them to stay back and I do when I see them but I have to wear music for working to help my balance as I have tinitus and can't hear people so they are next to me before I know it. 

This is why I decided to lockdown I will be ok for around 3 months as it's just the wife and me and she gets paid her full wage for that period . 

With statement on Tuesday that gardeners and window cleaners can work I am in fear of the rounds I bought and built up being picked at by the vultures and I'll have next to nothing to go back to.

Now I'm thinking of going out my family are besides themselves with worry especially my old mum. 

I'm sorry but for selfish reasons I'd like a total lockdown with only essential workers allowed to work. 

I also think more people will live with dirty windows and long grass. 

After the government statement I had five cleaners call/text saying they were going out working all five work in pairs or more and travel in the same van/car I pointed out that is not allowed unless you stay in same household. You can't social distance in a van/car. 

Why don't you just text your customers and tell them you'll be off for three months I did this and all my customers were really supportive and I haven't lost one. Is it worth risking your health?

 

[chris clean]

I am getting concerned how long this will go on for.

China is not being truthful how many people have died from coronavirus.

It doesn't make sense how China with a population over 1 billion have lower deaths than Italy and Spain.

France have already extend lockdown for further 2 weeks.

I was told the reason its 3 weeks is because they legally have to review this type of state of emergency lockdowns every 21 days. It's going to be months realistically

 

[Dave B]

I just say I will collect next month or through Bacs as I have Bacs cards made up.

Thing is mate if you can afford to be off why are you working?

I had to work until the grant was announced as I have access to a bit of cash from father in law and pay it back then as spent my savings recently getting ready to expand which won't happen for a while now.

Seems you just want to work for the sake of it..

 

[ks789]

I totally agree mate I hope not too as although our situations are different if it goes longer than 3 months I will be starting to worry alot more. And I think your right about the other implications of lockdown especially mental health. I am simply passing on what I have heard through serving police officers and in my wifes profession she is in touch with lots of NHS workers and the prediction seems to be the peak of deaths being June and it seems unlikely that on that day when they hope the deaths have peaked and may hopefuly start a decline they are going to say right that's that lockdown over everyone back to work 

fingers crossed ?feel real sorry as well for those in high up tower blocks. I think if it can be done, they'll need mental health workers to do a lot of home visits to try and ease peoples anxiety/give best advise to get through things. Theres some good stuff online but also a lot of things that would make people feel worse.

 

[fast_muchly]

I'm also a sole trader so I could go out. 

My kids wife and mother are not keen on me going out in case I catch covid19 .

I can wait for the 80% the government are giving . So not a problem for me there.

The only thing that's really bothering me is I may lose work to other cleaners and I'll have hee haw to go back too. 

I would never cut another cleaners grass but I know of a few in my area that would stab their granny for work. 

If you are doing a decent job and a nice bloke to talk to and they trust . TRUST ME you will not lose even 1 customer . I find when people have a window cleaner they become a friend and someone they can trust ………..they don't move over to other window cleaners easily everyone you cant contact will guess at why your not coming . DONT WORRY at all , it will all be there for you to go back to at the end of the summer .

Yes END OF SUMMER as that is how long this is going to go on for ……..you can write summer off .

 

[dmw]

I totally agree mate I hope not too as although our situations are different if it goes longer than 3 months I will be starting to worry alot more. And I think your right about the other implications of lockdown especially mental health. I am simply passing on what I have heard through serving police officers and in my wifes profession she is in touch with lots of NHS workers and the prediction seems to be the peak of deaths being June and it seems unlikely that on that day when they hope the deaths have peaked and may hopefuly start a decline they are going to say right that's that lockdown over everyone back to work 

This is interesting, if it does peak in June and there is a gradual decline in cases, there could well be a long time where they taper things in like allowing longer times out, slowly opening shops and pubs it could be months and months before people get back to normal.

 

[chris clean]

If you are doing a decent job and a nice bloke to talk to and they trust . TRUST ME you will not lose even 1 customer . I find when people have a window cleaner they become a friend and someone they can trust ………..they don't move over to other window cleaners easily everyone you cant contact will guess at why your not coming . DONT WORRY at all , it will all be there for you to go back to at the end of the summer .

Yes END OF SUMMER as that is how long this is going to go on for ……..you can write summer off .

Spot on mate! And I think the lucky thing for our business is how when this is over even with all the hardship and jobless people are gonna be able to spend the relatively small ammount for a window clean. The ones that are gonna suffer for a long long time i would guess would be holiday companies etc 

 

[davewindowcleaner]

I was told the reason its 3 weeks is because they legally have to review this type of state of emergency lockdowns every 21 days. It's going to be months realistically

Boris gave the impression to begin with if we all stay in for 3 week we can go back to normal.

No chance of that happening at this rate.

I went to the park yeterday to get some fresh air and saw couples of joggers not keeping their distances and one of them spat on the floor.

?

 

[Doo]

Why don't you just text your customers and tell them you'll be off for three months I did this and all my customers were really supportive and I haven't lost one. Is it worth risking your health?

I got my daughter to put a post on my local areas Facebook page . 

 

[scottish cleaning service]

Thing is mate if you can afford to be off why are you working?

I had to work until the grant was announced as I have access to a bit of cash and pay it back then as spent my savings recently getting ready to expand which won't happen for a while now.

Seems you just want to work for the sake of it..

Not really, I won't get anything as I have only made  £3,500 in last 2yrs accounts because I spent £40k that I made. Plus I am really busy and all my work will stack up. I had 2 years off when I retired and was bored so ended up writing a few books. I'm like the Queen and was born to work its in my DNA. I don't work for money tbh, I like helping folk, that's why I know all my customers by their first name. ?

 

[Dave B]

I am not worried about losing customers at all.

I will be sending a text to them all later but if I didn't I'm sure I would be fine anyway. 

Anyone who would drop you due to the situation we are in isn't worth a toss as a customer anyway.. same type of people who would drop you for a quid cheaper quote.

Spot on mate! And I think the lucky thing for our business is how when this is over even with all the hardship and jobless people are gonna be able to spend the relatively small ammount for a window clean. The ones that are gonna suffer for a long long time i would guess would be holiday companies etc 

If you are doing a decent job and a nice bloke to talk to and they trust . TRUST ME you will not lose even 1 customer . I find when people have a window cleaner they become a friend and someone they can trust ………..they don't move over to other window cleaners easily everyone you cant contact will guess at why your not coming . DONT WORRY at all , it will all be there for you to go back to at the end of the summer .

Yes END OF SUMMER as that is how long this is going to go on for ……..you can write summer off .

 

[ks789]

At least this weekend it wont feel so bad being indoors. tomorrow especially in the east is gonna be 1 degree (with wind chill) with possible sleet.

 

[davewindowcleaner]

Thing is mate if you can afford to be off why are you working?

I had to work until the grant was announced as I have access to a bit of cash from father in law and pay it back then as spent my savings recently getting ready to expand which won't happen for a while now.

Seems you just want to work for the sake of it..

This.

I can understand if you have no money whatsoever but for now if you got some saving there is no reason to be out working.

If people just want to work for the sake of it then this lockdown will just drag on and on.

 

[[email protected]]

Hi all, I've been in the house all week i have asthma but it does not hinder me in traditional window cleaning , I last worked on Sunday but I was finding that customers were not keeping their distance. 

I know I should just tell them to stay back and I do when I see them but I have to wear music for working to help my balance as I have tinitus and can't hear people so they are next to me before I know it. 

This is why I decided to lockdown I will be ok for around 3 months as it's just the wife and me and she gets paid her full wage for that period . 

With statement on Tuesday that gardeners and window cleaners can work I am in fear of the rounds I bought and built up being picked at by the vultures and I'll have next to nothing to go back to.

Now I'm thinking of going out my family are besides themselves with worry especially my old mum. 

I'm sorry but for selfish reasons I'd like a total lockdown with only essential workers allowed to work. 

I also think more people will live with dirty windows and long grass. 

After the government statement I had five cleaners call/text saying they were going out working all five work in pairs or more and travel in the same van/car I pointed out that is not allowed unless you stay in same household. You can't social distance in a van/car. 

I'm in the same boat as you and also get mild asthma, I work alone , kept my work down to a few hours a day , dont want to be out but everyone else is and could take your work if this continues to long , just hoping for a full lockdown for 2. 3 weeks now , I knock on the door stand well back , tell the coustmers we have been told it's ok to carry on and can you leave money on the sill or bank transfer which they are only to happy to do , it deffently dont feel rite working at the mo though, good luck, 

 

[Tormato]

Not really, I won't get anything as I have only made  £3,500 in last 2yrs accounts because I spent £40k that I made. Plus I am really busy and all my work will stack up. I had 2 years off when I retired and was bored so ended up writing a few books. I'm like the Queen and was born to work its in my DNA. I don't work for money tbh, I like helping folk, that's why I know all my customers by their first name. ?

Although the Queen is not working at present.