The British Association of Removers (BAR) has issued advice to its UK members regarding the completion of work as the UK enters a period of lockdown owing to the Coronavirus.

The advice is that companies should only complete any moves that are underway and immediately cancel any move that has not yet started.

Ian Studd, BAR Director General said, “Our absolute priority now must be on ensuring the safety of our staff and our customers, and of course their respective families and so we must make every effort to release all of our crews from ‘the coalface’ at the very earliest opportunity.”
 
Ian said that all BAR staff have been instructed not to attend the office in Watford until further notice, however all services will continue to be provided to members. “I will follow up with more bulletins and updates as we receive any further intelligence on next steps to be taken, but in the meantime I encourage you all to comply with the instructions issued by the Prime Minister and to keep safe and stay healthy.”

Ian responded further to a statement by Michael Gove, Minister for the Cabinet Office, who said that people moving house may be too far down the process to stop and these moves should proceed, but any others should be postponed or cancelled.  Ian said that although this was in line with BAR’s recommendation, BAR has no statutory authority to mandate a complete shutdown of the businesses of its members. “Each member business must consider for themselves what course of action they propose to take during this period of heightened risk and tighter government control.”