Self employed gardener

ibizalady

HI my partner is a self employed gardener who works alone and has no contact with customers except via telephone. Is he able to continue to go to work at this time? He works in large gardens and has no contact with the public.
The Government have not specified.

Thank you
Pauline

phoebe1989seb

My DH is in the same situation - currently he has several months' work at a 50 acre garden/parkland where the owner has not yet taken up residence (huge renovation project). They speak by phone to discuss planting plans etc.

He has gone to work today as he is working in complete isolation plus it is our only source of income......

We are fortunate that we own our home outright but still have bills to pay!

mwarby

I doubt anyone can self definitively, but if he can get to and from, and carry out his work without being close to anyone else its sounds reasonable to continue. If it involves needing to visit suppliers, that gets rather more dubious. IMHO it also depends on how discrete his work is, as its difficult to say his work is essential and others maybe put out (him  working while they are stuck at home) and might be said to undermine government advice to stay home

Jeremy535897

Government has not stopped construction as long as social distancing is practised. This is similar. 

ibizalady

mwarby said:

I doubt anyone can self definitively, but if he can get to and from, and carry out his work without being close to anyone else its sounds reasonable to continue. If it involves needing to visit suppliers, that gets rather more dubious. IMHO it also depends on how discrete his work is, as its difficult to say his work is essential and others maybe put out (him  working while they are stuck at home) and might be said to undermine government advice to stay home

He doesn't need to visit any suppliers. He would have no contact with anyone travelling to and from work or while working. 
He is concerned that lots of his customers are reliant on him to keep their gardens tidy (mostly elderly) so they can actually use them at this time (if allowed of course). He has no need to speak to them when visiting and remains outside at all times. He takes bank transfers for payment. 
There is nothing specified for this type of work

mwarby

Jeremy535897 said:

Government has not stopped construction as long as social distancing is practised. This is similar. 

Although the Scottish government has stopped construction work in Scotland

ibizalady

Construction workers would find it more difficult to distance themselves though surely. My OH does not see or speak to anyone

Jeremy535897

I know Sturgeon said she thought construction in Scotland should be stopped, but has that now happened?