The Coronavirus pandemic has rapidly developed into a global crisis situation impacting everyone’s personal lives and the ways businesses can operate.
Following the Prime Minister’s announcement on Monday 23rd March we all face strict changes in our daily lives to combat the virus.
At CEMEX our first priority is the health and safety of everyone in our business, therefore Government advice regarding preventive measures and social distancing have been followed precisely and as they have been announced, and we have communicated this to our employees.
The construction industry and its supply chain, including our business, is a fundamental part of the fabric of society and the economy. By maintaining our operations while following Government guidance protocols, we will serve our customers and to help prevent wide scale economic collapse and be ready to serve society at the end of the crisis.
At Prime Minister’s Questions in the House of Commons on Wednesday 25th March, Boris Johnson was asked several questions particularly related to ongoing construction work during the Coronavirus pandemic.
He was very clear that work can continue provided preventative measures are implemented and Government guidelines are followed, stating: “Construction should only take place in a way that is in accordance with Public Health England and industry advice.”
The Prime Minister also stated the importance of continuing work where safe to do so to keep the economy running: “What we are not doing, and this is fully in line with the scientific and medical advice…is closing down the whole UK economy.”
Therefore, in line with Government advice we will maintain supply of our products and services to operational construction sites wherever it is practical and safe to do so. All staff able to do so are now working from home and this will continue as long as required.
Our sites will remain open whilst demand exists from our customers and unless Government advice changes.
Employees at these sites should continue to follow the guidelines already communicated to ensure sites are operated safely and in line with Government advice, including; washing hands frequently for 20 seconds and using sanitiser gel in between; maintaining distance from other employees; following the self-isolation guidelines if you display any symptoms. For more information, visit: https://www.gov.uk/coronavirus
It may become necessary to adjust our operating plant network according to demand and to available resources, and our regional management teams will update you on this. Our dedicated Rapid Response Team continually monitors the development of the Coronavirus, following daily UK Government advice updates, and will change our practices quickly if necessary.
For all updates from the RRT, best practices ideas and further guidance, please visit the dedicated UK SharePoint:
https://cemex.sharepoint.com/sites/CoronavirusEU/SitePages/United-Kingdom.aspx