Building sites can now stay open until 9pm between Monday and Saturday in residential areas in a bid to stagger shifts, the Communities Secretary has announced.
Robert Jenrick said the move to stretch building later into the evening would help firms maintain social distancing and relieve pressure on public transport.
He told the Downing Street press briefing on Wednesday: “Where it’s appropriate, and with local consent, I’m allowing sites to apply to extend their working hours – again with immediate effect – to 9pm Monday to Saturday in residential areas and beyond that in non-residential areas.”
He said local councils should accept applications “unless there are very compelling reasons not to do so”.
The London Underground was packed on Wednesday morning as millions of workers returned to work after Boris Johnson “actively encouraged” those who cannot work from home to restart.
Ministers have told all businesses to draw up a risk assessment before reopening and display a Covid Secure certificate to show workers will be safe, warning they could face prosecution if they do not.
Housebuilders Taylor Wimpey and Persimmon said earlier that construction had restarted, while Crest Nicholson said builders would be back on sites from next Monday.
Taylor Wimpey added that its show homes and sales centres would start opening again in 10 days, after the Government said estate agents could reopen on Tuesday.
Around £82 billion of transactions are thought to be on hold in the property market, according to analysts.
