COVID-19 : Gas company insist they need to enter my home

Time2Go_25

Frugal_Noodle said:

bradders1983 said:

In which case OP what are you going to do if, lets say, you develop a major leak somewhere in your house that cant be put off? Any plumber you invite in will have been going from house to house for weeks. 

At some point common sense has to come into this. Sorry to be blunt.

That would be an emergency. This is not an emergency.

They are replacing all the gas pipes in your area, they have to be able to check there are no problems/leaks. They will either disconnect you or get a warrant for entry. Gas/electricity companies only  have to give 2 days notice if they require access.

GHolmesAdmin

They will get a warrant of entry if you will not let them in. You would be charged for that and also for any locksmiths etc thy might need. Disconnection outside the property would be a last resort say if you had bricked up your windows and doors - I used to work for an energy company I and have actually seen that happen.

macman

You either accept the minimal risk, distance yourself while he is inside (which will be just a few minutes), or you will lose your gas supply. It's entirely your choice.
They cannot reconnect you without purging the appliances and pipes of air. If they did, the risk of a gas leak or explosion would be far greater than the risk of infection.

Frugal_Noodle

I'm going to dig my heels in to a point, but at some point I reckon Im going to have to empty my hallway (it's cluttered), and clear all the surfaces in my kitchen, and then i'm going to cover what I need to with some light plastic dust sheets. Maybe having the room look like Dexter's kill room will make the engineer work faster and get out.

poppy12345

Frugal_Noodle said:

then i'm going to cover what I need to with some light plastic dust sheets.

Isn't that a little exreme? He may touch the dust sheets... far easier to wipe everything down once he's left.

Thrugelmir

Frugal_Noodle said:

I'm going to dig my heels in to a point, but at some point I reckon Im going to have to empty my hallway (it's cluttered), and clear all the surfaces in my kitchen, and then i'm going to cover what I need to with some light plastic dust sheets. Maybe having the room look like Dexter's kill room will make the engineer work faster and get out.

What are you expecting the engineer to touch?  They are only checking your appliances. They'll be working to a professional standard. Open the windows, lock yourself away in a different room for the duration of the visit and wipe down the kitchen surfaces afterwards. Job done. 

Takmon

Frugal_Noodle said:

I'm going to dig my heels in to a point, but at some point I reckon Im going to have to empty my hallway (it's cluttered), and clear all the surfaces in my kitchen, and then i'm going to cover what I need to with some light plastic dust sheets. Maybe having the room look like Dexter's kill room will make the engineer work faster and get out.

Sounds like a good excuse to tidy you house then if it's cluttered with stuff... but you really seem to be overreacting to this so much you must be petrified of getting Covid19 to the point of being unable to sleep at night thinking about it?. Yes everyone needs to stay vigilant and follow all the guidelines but letting it effect you to the point of paranoia isn't very healthy.

bradders1983

And another newsflash....not everyone who catches it dies. Little known fact.

Galloglass

Gas and electricity companies get most of their powers from the legislation covering the old "boards". If they need to, they will get a warrant to enter (at your cost  i.e. £200) and disconnect / check on the basis of public safety as opposed to individual safety though they will take it into accout.

The bit you need to read is Section 2 (1) of the Rights of Entry (Gas and Electricity Boards) Act 1954
http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/Eliz2/2-3/21/

Dr_Crypto

I think you're being unreasonable. That said, some people are more cautious than others about the virus. The government has produced guidelines for working in people's homes. Reasonable precautions would be:
He wears a mask at all times in your house.
He takes his shoes off at the front door.
He wears disposable gloves in your house.  
You go in another room away from him and close the door. 
Doors to all other rooms are closed except the ones he needs to access which remain open. 
He cleans his hands at your door. 
He works as quickly as possible and leaves. 
Your sanitise the areas he's been in contact with.
You have a drink to get over the stress!