Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of mandatory face coverings for contractors completing building work and maintenance in an individual's home.

Businesses are already subject to legal obligations to protect their staff under existing legislation. This includes taking appropriate steps to provide a safe working environment, which may include providing face coverings where appropriate, alongside other mitigation to a provide a safe working environment.

The Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) has provided detailed guidance for specific workplace settings (including when undertaking work in other people’s homes). Employers must make sure that the risk assessment for their business addresses the risks of COVID-19 using BEIS guidance to inform decisions and control measures including close proximity working. Guidance can be found at the following link:

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/working-safely-during-coronavirus-covid-19

We will keep the situation and the evidence for face coverings under review and will take further action if needed.