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

Gonna-be-debt-free

OP I think you have been given some good advice about practical measures.  I understand your concerns but, as other have said, you need to weigh them up against having no gas supply.  I assume if there was a gas leak you would provide access?  This is essentially the same thing, but preventing the leak.

suki1964

OP, I really do feel that your concerns are verging on paranoia 

As someone who has had to work, with no social distancing measures in place, without PPE, up until just recently ( just been furloughed ), as someone who has had to go to the supermarkets  and shield my mother who lives with us. I feel completely safe at this time in the Pandemic

First week yes was scary ,and I am still wary about using shops where they aren't so hot on social distancing, but Im not petrified 

I know a lot of people, absolutely loads ( we live in a community where everyone knows everyone and everyones business ) and I only know personally of just one person who contracted Covid , my own daughter who contracted it from the hospital. I have heard of so and so's aunt or uncle or cousin contracting it, Ive heard of one of those people having to be in hospital for two weeks, but I don't know of one person who has died

Indeed when I go look at the how many people in your Post code ( which covers 144k people ) only 250 confirmed cases, 65 deaths and 52% of those deaths were in care homes

Now if I remember rightly, the gas engineer only has to come in and check any mains gas appliances you have. IIRC when we had ours done many moons ago, the gas man came in the back door, checked the pilot light on the boiler, checked the meter on the side of the house and left. 2 or 3 mins was all he took

The government has done a fantastic job into scaring people into staying home. Our own health minister has admitted to not releasing the "best case scenario" at the start rather he preferred the one with the higher death toll because he knew we wouldn't accept lockdown

uk-northern-ireland-52988131


Now that was our minister, do you think yours are whiter than white?

Gonna-be-debt-free

suki1964 said:

OP, I really do feel that your concerns are verging on paranoia 

As someone who has had to work, with no social distancing measures in place, without PPE, up until just recently ( just been furloughed ), as someone who has had to go to the supermarkets  and shield my mother who lives with us. I feel completely safe at this time in the Pandemic

First week yes was scary ,and I am still wary about using shops where they aren't so hot on social distancing, but Im not petrified 

I know a lot of people, absolutely loads ( we live in a community where everyone knows everyone and everyones business ) and I only know personally of just one person who contracted Covid , my own daughter who contracted it from the hospital. I have heard of so and so's aunt or uncle or cousin contracting it, Ive heard of one of those people having to be in hospital for two weeks, but I don't know of one person who has died

Indeed when I go look at the how many people in your Post code ( which covers 144k people ) only 250 confirmed cases, 65 deaths and 52% of those deaths were in care homes

Now if I remember rightly, the gas engineer only has to come in and check any mains gas appliances you have. IIRC when we had ours done many moons ago, the gas man came in the back door, checked the pilot light on the boiler, checked the meter on the side of the house and left. 2 or 3 mins was all he took

The government has done a fantastic job into scaring people into staying home. Our own health minister has admitted to not releasing the "best case scenario" at the start rather he preferred the one with the higher death toll because he knew we wouldn't accept lockdown

uk-northern-ireland-52988131


Now that was our minister, do you think yours are whiter than white?

While I don't want to scare the OP, and I am really happy that you have had a more positive experience than you were expecting, I do want to put the other side to it as a lived experience. 

We have the same kind of figures here - out of a population of 115k people, just over 350 confirmed cases and 70ish deaths.  But putting that into perspective:  My colleague's dad died of it.  My best friend's neighbor died of it.  Another colleague had it and is still recovering from it 8 weeks later.  More than 10 other colleagues had it, but recovered as quickly as they would a bad flu.  Of the group of only 10 houses around us, 2 families had it with several family members affected, are completely sure they had it, but weren't tested for it.  2 other households had it (tested and confirmed), with one member of each household taken to hospital in an ambulance in the middle of the night.

Yes, putting that all in perspective, by far the majority of the people I know didn't get it, and of those who did get it, by far the majority of them recovered. However I think it was right for the government to "scare us".  It was bad, and without people mostly sticking to the rules, because they were scared, it would have been far worse.

I am a "high risk" person myself, so am extra careful, but am still nervous.  (Although I would be letting the gas contractor in to do the checks )

suki1964

Gonna-be-debt-free said:

suki1964 said:

OP, I really do feel that your concerns are verging on paranoia 

As someone who has had to work, with no social distancing measures in place, without PPE, up until just recently ( just been furloughed ), as someone who has had to go to the supermarkets  and shield my mother who lives with us. I feel completely safe at this time in the Pandemic

First week yes was scary ,and I am still wary about using shops where they aren't so hot on social distancing, but Im not petrified 

I know a lot of people, absolutely loads ( we live in a community where everyone knows everyone and everyones business ) and I only know personally of just one person who contracted Covid , my own daughter who contracted it from the hospital. I have heard of so and so's aunt or uncle or cousin contracting it, Ive heard of one of those people having to be in hospital for two weeks, but I don't know of one person who has died

Indeed when I go look at the how many people in your Post code ( which covers 144k people ) only 250 confirmed cases, 65 deaths and 52% of those deaths were in care homes

Now if I remember rightly, the gas engineer only has to come in and check any mains gas appliances you have. IIRC when we had ours done many moons ago, the gas man came in the back door, checked the pilot light on the boiler, checked the meter on the side of the house and left. 2 or 3 mins was all he took

The government has done a fantastic job into scaring people into staying home. Our own health minister has admitted to not releasing the "best case scenario" at the start rather he preferred the one with the higher death toll because he knew we wouldn't accept lockdown

uk-northern-ireland-52988131


Now that was our minister, do you think yours are whiter than white?

While I don't want to scare the OP, and I am really happy that you have had a more positive experience than you were expecting, I do want to put the other side to it as a lived experience. 

We have the same kind of figures here - out of a population of 115k people, just over 350 confirmed cases and 70ish deaths.  But putting that into perspective:  My colleague's dad died of it.  My best friend's neighbor died of it.  Another colleague had it and is still recovering from it 8 weeks later.  More than 10 other colleagues had it, but recovered as quickly as they would a bad flu.  Of the group of only 10 houses around us, 2 families had it with several family members affected, are completely sure they had it, but weren't tested for it.  2 other households had it (tested and confirmed), with one member of each household taken to hospital in an ambulance in the middle of the night.

Yes, putting that all in perspective, by far the majority of the people I know didn't get it, and of those who did get it, by far the majority of them recovered. However I think it was right for the government to "scare us".  It was bad, and without people mostly sticking to the rules, because they were scared, it would have been far worse.

I am a "high risk" person myself, so am extra careful, but am still nervous.  (Although I would be letting the gas contractor in to do the checks )

Im a higher risk, not high enough for me to be very concerned, mum has to be shielded as I said

We have had very similar experiences, you also don't know anyone in your social circle who has died of it, just relations of people you do know.

Both me and Mr S think we both had it, but this was before testing so theres nothing to prove we have or haven't, we both had the symptoms. Daughter has been confirmed

Im not saying that Covid is a walk in the park for all those that contract it. I think we should all be aware that it is out there, it is contagious, and the outcome CAN be fatal ( around 1% I think? ). However, project fear has sent some people completely over the top and thats going to do a lot more damage to their health then Covid ever would. We now have people who are petrified of allowing essential services in their home? At a time where all around us lockdown measures are being relaxed?

I said to my mum she can leave the house now, and at the beginning of lockdown I can assure you it was a nightmare to keep her home. Now from desperate to get out, she's like, well maybe next week. And next week will come and she will no doubt put it off again. Because she's now thinking to herself how comes last week I wasn't allowed out, now I am, and yet people are still dying, the virus is there still. The government have filled her with so much fear she now doubts herself . At 82 she's way too young to shut herself up in a house, it will hasten her death.

I think we are going to see more deaths put down to Covid, yet the dead will be Covid free

NitroBN

Edit: Content deleted due to MSE editorial teams current policy and methods of addressing cyber bullying in their forums is to silence the victims.

warby68

I think OP has fears and concerns 'above average' before considering the Covid 19 risk. All the stuff about giving personal details and trying not to be identified. How on earth can a utility company help you if you initiate contact but won't say who or where you are?? 
If you can't weigh up the relative risk of a potentially unsafe gas supply versus the waning pandemic and an easily managed point of contact in the first instance, especially with other family members and neighbours subject to their decision making, then I doubt the arguments here will persuade OP although I hope I'm wrong.  OP has already said as much.
I suspect the ultimate result will be that its either let them in or lose supply - utility work is considered essential. 
OP, at the very least try not to take your fears and concerns out on people just trying to do their job and earn their living.

Claire2989

I always find it really difficult to understand the logic behind ‘my family can’t come into my house so neither can a stranger’. Knowing somebody doesn’t alter the Covid risk. In fact, it’s likely to make any risk of transmission higher. You’re more likely to touch or be closer to a friend or family member. They’re more likely to spend more time in your home and touch things. You let your guard down due to familiarity.

with a stranger who’s there to do a job it’s a lot more formal. You can ask the gas company for their covid risk mitigation strategy if this helps settle some of your anxiety. You can also politely prompt the worker (like you did) if you think they’re failing to adhere to it. ‘Please stay 2m away, please wear your mask properly etc.

In terms of legality I think you’ll have little wiggle room. The gas company have a duty of care to ensure that the supply is safe. If they think that by refusing necessary checks you’re putting others at risk they can legally gain access without your consent. Gas safety is a big deal!

KxMx

I've got an electrical check next week, up to three hours duration and they will be in every room touching every switch and plug!

I have ME and sitting in the garden all that time isn't possible so I've drawn up a list of all the plug locations to speed things up and am asking them to start with living room (opens into garden) and do downstairs then upstairs so I have some choice about where to sit as time passes. 

Beforehand I will have to check all plugs are accessible /move furniture and make sure all windows are open. Furniture I can manage appliances they will have to move themselves if needed. 

Afterwards everywhere will have to be cleaned as well which is daunting when I'm already tired from the appointment/prep work. I will try and do each downstairs room as they finish.

But I'm trying to be sensible about it, it needs to be done, they will be in PPE and I'm taking steps to manage things as best I can. 

I'm just hoping it's dry so I can sit in garden initially because the past 10 days have been wet (much needed) and so cool I've had to dig out autumn nightwear and dry all my laundry indoors! 

Grumpy_chap

What type of electrical check is this, and by whom?  Most circuit tests are carried out from the fuse board.

KxMx

It's a 5 year electrical safety check. They will be doing fuse board and all sockets, switches, light fittings etc. 
Landlord is local authority and electrician is their appointed contractor. 
We've had them before it's quite legitimate.