Businesses which can operate: frequently asked questions

Here are some frequently asked questions about social distancing and your business. Click on a question to see the answer.

Can tradesmen continue to work in my home?

Repair and maintenance work can be carried out by a tradesperson providing no one in your, or the tradesperson’s, family are showing any Covid-19 symptoms.
However, 2 metre social distancing rules must be followed, and regular handwashing is recommended.

Are there circumstances when work must not be carried out in my home?

Work should not be carried out in households where occupants are self-isolating or being ‘shielded’.
If there is an urgent need to address a direct risk to those living in the property, such as emergency plumbing or repair work, this can go ahead if the tradesperson is willing.
Additional precautions should be put in place.

If it is safe to carry out work in my home, what should I expect?

Many tradespeople have introduced additional precautionary measures and it is important to follow these carefully.
These may include:

Asking you to stay in a separate room whilst the work is completed.
Requesting doors and windows are open to increase ventilation.
Adapting payment methods e.g. no paper invoices or cash payments.
Wearing Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).
Regularly washing their hands and bringing their own towel.
Declining refreshments.

I work outside, can I continue to operate?

We know that for some people who work on their own – gardeners, window cleaners, or those working in rural areas – where there is no personal contact – if they can practice safely, then this could be good for the community, and so you can continue to work but remember safety and social distancing must come first.

I run a dog grooming service from my home, am I still able to do this under the new regulations?

There are a few locations and methods for dog groomers to operate. Some offer a ‘walk-in’ salon within shopping centres, others within pet shop premises. Frequently, dog groomers operate from the business owner’s home or offer a mobile service.

Provided social distancing and health & safety measures are met, mobile dog grooming may be considered an acceptable method of operating. If you do transport animals, you will be caught by the rules under the Welfare of Animals (Transport) (Scotland) Regulations 2006. If the journey is over 40 miles, the advice is you seek authorisation from the APHA Welfare of Animals in Transport Team.

If dog groomers do decide to operate from their own premises, every effort must be made to comply with social distancing and health & safety requirements. Further guidance in this regard can be found at the Canine and Feline Sector Group website.