Critical workers CAN give colleagues a lift in government rule U-turn

The Government has relaxed rules for critical workers car sharing with colleagues after last week announcing that they would be forced to adhere to social distancing rules dictated to the general public during the Covid-19 lockdown.

Public Health England told This is Money last week that those still travelling to work need to be ‘at least two metres apart in a vehicle’, or else they would ‘not comply with government guidance on social distancing’.

However, it conducted a U-turn overnight, with confirmation that – if there is no other option – key workers can car share with colleagues who are not part of their household, though journeys should ‘be shared with the same individuals and with the minimum number of people at any one time’.

One of the most persistent questions from readers about motoring during the lockdown has been regarding lift sharing for key workers.

With those on the NHS frontline, in the care industry or simply unable to work from home and therefore allowed to continue to travel but don’t have a licence or a vehicle, the previous restrictions in place had caused serious concern.

Many have been in touch to say they take or provide lifts to colleagues, as this is their only means of getting to their place of employment – especially those living in rural areas.

Previously, PHE told This is Money that car sharing is only allowed for critical workers if they can retain a gap of two metres. 

Given that almost all passenger vehicles don’t have the interior space for this to be achievable and workers using vans are in much closer proximity, these restrictions would make it difficult for those still travelling for critical jobs to get to their places of employment, 

However, new rules offer some relief to people in this situation, who had previously feared heavy fines if stopped by police with colleagues in the car who don’t live in their household.

PHE and the Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy have relaxed the guidelines for critical workers, confirmed in a statement published last night.

It says: ‘When using a private vehicle to make a journey that is essential, cars should only be shared by members of the same household. 

‘Those who normally share a car with people who are not members of their own household for a journey that is essential, e.g. getting to work, should consider alternatives such as walking, cycling and public transport where you maintain a distance of two metres from others.’

But it goes on to add: ‘If the journey is essential, such as travel to work, and there is no option but to share a car with people who are not part of the same household, journeys should be shared with the same individuals and with the minimum number of people at any one time.’

The statement also provides guidance on additional measures critical workers need to take if they are sharing vehicles with colleagues.

‘Good ventilation (i.e. keeping the windows open) and facing away from each other may help to reduce the risk of transmission,’ the government departments say.

‘Private vehicles that are used by people from multiple households should be cleaned regularly using gloves and standard cleaning products with particular emphasis on handles and other areas where passengers may touch surfaces.’

This is Money has provided a full guide to the 40 parts of a car that can harbour germs and should therefore be cleaned after being touched, according to instruction from Toyota.

These 40 areas are listed in the fact box below, along with a video from the Japanese car maker on what motorists need to do.