Business
COVID-19 Update
COVID-19 Update.
About this update from Persimmon Plc
[{"type":"text","content":"\n \n \n RNS Number : 8335M\n Persimmon PLC\n 14 May 2020\n \n \n \n \n 14 May 2020\n \n \n \n \n \n Persimmon plc\n \n \n (\"Persimmon\" or \"the Group\")\n \n \n \n \n \n COVID-19 Update\n \n \n \n \n \n Persimmon is today providing a further update on its response to the COVID-19 pandemic.\n \n \n \n \n \n The health, safety and wellbeing of the public and everyone who works on its sites and in its offices remains Persimmon's top priority, and the Group is continuing to adopt all UK Government and construction industry guidance on safe working procedures, as it progressively re-opens for business. In the weeks following 25 March 2020, when its construction sites were closed, the Group worked closely with its colleagues, sub-contractors and suppliers to develop and test a range of new protocols to enable work to recommence safely, in anticipation of a potential return to its sites and its sales offices in due course. It is this work that is now enabling a swift and efficient restart. \n \n \n \n \n \n The ability to recommence operations swiftly has been made possible by the Group's decision not to furlough staff and to continue to pay all colleagues in full throughout the shutdown period, without recourse to Government assistance. This has retained talent directly within the business and ensured operational continuity at site level, supporting both the introduction of new safer working methods and restart activity. \n \n \n \n \n \n Re-commencement of on-site sales activities\n \n \n \n \n \n The Group's sales teams have continued to work effectively and efficiently to serve new and existing customers, making use of online resources, including virtual viewings and digitalised reservation processes, over recent weeks.\n \n \n \n \n \n The Group is pleased to announce that, following the publication of new guidance by the UK Government which took effect from 13 May 2020, it will reopen its sales offices in England on Friday 15 May 2020. \n \n \n \n \n \n All sales offices and show homes will reopen with strict new social distancing and additional hygiene measures in place, which are fully compliant with the latest UK Government guidance. Initially, sales consultations will be on a pre-booked appointment basis only.\n \n \n \n \n \n Progress of construction activi...