Updated: 05/01/2021
Latest service update
We are open for business and our services are continuing to run but with some changes to ensure the health and safety of all our cleaners and clients during the outbreak.
Restrictions are different depending on which part of the UK you live in - please see the advice below for each region.
- New Restrictions for England came into force on the 5th January as England returns to a "National Lockdown". The government guidance is that cleaners can still work inside peoples' homes.
Regional Restrictions & Advice
England
National Lockdown Restrictions (from 5th January)
England is subject to a national lockdown across the region, similar to the March lockdown where businesses and schools will be forced to close to control the rise in Coronavirus cases. The national lockdown began on the 5th January
Can cleaners still work in clients homes?
Yes. The government have made it clear that domestic cleaners will still be permitted to work inside peoples' homes as long as the government guidelines on social distancing and staying safe are followed. We supply our cleaners with a set of extensive guidelines to follow during their scheduled cleaning visits.
"Where it is necessary for you to work in other people's homes - for example, for nannies, cleaners or tradespeople - you can do so. Otherwise, you should avoid meeting for work in a private home or garden, where COVID-19 Secure measures may not be in place.."
Scotland
National Restrictions (from 5th January)
Scotland has moved to a temporary Lockdown from the Level 4 previously in place as of 5th January. Additional restrictions are now in place across the mainland, to slow the spread of the virus across the country. You can view the government guidance here.
Can cleaners still work in clients homes?
Domestic cleaners are permitted in homes, in all protection levels where it is essential to sustain, safeguard and underpin the household - as long as the government guidelines on social distancing and staying safe are followed. Domestic cleaning is an essential activity as it reduces the level of coronavirus in properties. We supply our cleaners with a set of extensive guidelines to follow during their scheduled cleaning visits.
"Essential goods and services are those that fundamentally underpin, sustain and safeguard households. This includes (the list is not exhaustive):
domestic cleaner providing services in support of a clean and safe living environment for people in vulnerable circumstance, living with a disability or otherwise unable to clean their own home"
Wales
National Measures (from 19th December)
Wales has now returned to national measures and the whole of Wales is currently in Level 4. The measures do not affect your ability to have a cleaning service.
Can cleaners still work in clients homes?
Yes. The Welsh government has stated that tradespeople are permitted to work inside homes, which includes domestic cleaners - as long as the work is managed in a safe way and both the cleaner and household members are well and have no symptoms of coronavirus. The Welsh government guidance on working in other peoples homes can be found here.
"There are many circumstances in which people might need to access your home or garden to carry out work there. The law says that this must be “reasonably necessary” and that there is no “reasonable alternative”. So if the work is not essential or if there are ways in which the work can sensibly be carried out without people entering your home to work, people should not enter your home. However, people carrying out repairs, maintenance, activities related to home moves, construction work, gardening or domestic cleaners, are among the examples of people who are not realistically going to be able to provide some services without access to private homes or gardens, so this work can legally continue."
Northern Ireland
National Regulations (from 26th December)
The NI government introduced additional regulations to curb the rise in coronavirus cases from the 26th December for 6 weeks with a review after four weeks.
Can cleaners still work in clients homes?
Yes. The government has not made any changes in regards to work being carried out within homes (other than close contact services). Domestic cleaners are still permitted in homes - as long as the government guidelines on social distancing and staying safe are followed. We supply our cleaners with a set of extensive guidelines to follow during their scheduled cleaning visits.
"Unless they are specifically required to close under the regulations, workers, builders, tradespeople and other professionals can continue to go into people’s houses to carry out work such as repairs, installations and deliveries."
Symptoms
The most common symptoms of coronavirus (COVID-19) are recent onset of any of the following:
- a new continuous cough
- a high temperature
- a loss of, or change in, your normal sense of taste or smell (anosmia)
For most people, coronavirus (COVID-19) will be a mild illness. However, if you have any of the symptoms above you must stay at home and arrange to have a test to see if you have COVID-19.
Further government guidance for households with possible coronavirus (COVID-19) infection can be found here.
What are we doing?
We want to inform you of the actions we are taking as a business to protect our cleaners and our clients as far as possible during the COVID-19 outbreak. You will, of course, know the government have ordered people to stay at home wherever possible but with a few exceptions. On the other hand, we don't need to point out that a clean house is even more essential during these times.
- We are in constant contact with all our cleaners and are asking them and yourselves to take all the precautions you can.
- If you or anyone in your household have any symptoms, please let us and your cleaner know as soon as possible.
- We have also informed our cleaners to do the same if they or anyone in their household displays any symptoms.
- We have always ensured that the same cleaner attends the same clients each clean and that our cleaners only use the clients cleaning materials, to prevent cross-contamination.
- Maid2Clean and our cleaners would like to thank you for your continued support at this difficult time, it is much appreciated.
Keep your home sanitised during the coronavirus outbreak
Especially during these unprecedented times we're advising all clients to protect their home with disinfecting products to ensure they are properly protected from viruses and bacteria.
Any specialised product which is certified to kill 99.9% of bacteria is suitable for use in the home, however we specifically recommend using XtraProtect Sanitiser, which is certified to protect surfaces against coronavirus for up to 8 days.
If you are concerned and would like your cleaner to fully protect your home during these times, we have reserved some sanitiser for our customers and put together a simple sanitising kit to keep your home safe.
Order your sanitising kitLatest government advice
- Work in the home like cleaning can continue provided the person carrying out the work has no symptoms and that no-one in their household is shielding or self-isolating
- Social distancing of at least 2 metres must be maintained
- Travel to and from this type of work is allowed
- No work should be carried out by any tradesperson who has coronavirus symptoms, however mild
- More details can be found on the government website here
For the safety of both Clients and Cleaners, we have introduced the following rules
- Cleaners must not clean if anyone in their household has symptoms (however mild), shielding or self-isolating
- Clients must not allow cleaning if anyone in their household has symptoms (however mild), shielding or self-isolating
- Clients must stay in a different room to the cleaner. Social distancing of at least 2 metres must be maintained at all times
Social Distancing & Face Coverings
Cleaning is one of the few exceptions for entering peoples homes; it is incredibly important that cleaners respect Government guidelines and clients wishes when they are entering a property.
- Cleaners must at all times observe social distancing of 2 metres from anyone in the property
- Face coverings are not mandatory, however if the client asks for them to wear one, then they should be prepared to do so
- As always cleaners must never under any circumstances, take anyone (including children) with them to a clean
All cleaners must follow our detailed cleaning and safety guidelines
These are based on the latest guidelines from Public Health England, Health Protection Scotland and the NHS.
- Thoroughly wash their hands before, during and after their cleans with warm soapy water
- Surfaces should be cleaned using regular products and then where possible, disinfected using a product that is certified to kill 99.9% of germs, such as Dettol Antibacterial Surface Cleaner Spray or Xtra Protect Sanitiser
- Special attention should be paid to "high touched" areas such as; door and cupboard handles, light switches, TV remotes, tables, countertops etc
- Warm water (not hot or cold) should be used when cleaning surfaces and mopping floors, to maximise the effectiveness of cleaning products
- Use disposable or machine washable gloves
- Open windows where possible for ventilation
- Wash cleaning cloths and mop covers at a high temperature (60°C or above) after every use
- Avoid shaking dirty laundry and soft furnishings such as bath mats and rugs