Glapwell tradesman's warning after client called him up after job and said: "I've got Covid"

Self-employed plumber and dad Craig Smith wants to warn other tradespeople after he answered the emergency call in the Nottinghamshire area last week.

After the job was finished and he arrived home, he received a phone call from the client who told him: “I’ve got Covid”.

Mr Smith contacted Test and Trace who told him to isolate immediately- and he has lost ten days’ worth of work as a result.

He told the Chad: “I wear PPE on jobs and always ask people if they are showing signs or symptoms of the virus before entering their homes, and I’ve never had a problem since the pandemic began up until now.

"Most people are honest and follow the rules- they’ll call me up before an appointment to let me know if they’re feeling unwell.

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"When the woman called after the job and told me she had tested positive, I was a bit shellshocked.

"I ended up calling her back to tell her I really wasn’t happy with what she’d done. She told me she got tested the morning I came to the house and it was clear she felt she should alert me but she didn’t really offer a proper apology.

"I know people get desperate when they have no heating or hot water but there are means to get by for a few days without putting others at risk.”

Self-employed tradespeople are allowed to work under lockdown rules- however, there is little to no support available if issues arise.

Crag’s wife Jodie said she had been left ‘baffled’ by the ordeal.

She said: "You put a lot of faith in people and expect them to follow the rules. Craig panicked when the woman called not just because he’d lose work, which we need to live, but because people rely on him and he’ll have to let a lot of people down.

"It has wound us up so much and we thought it was important to warn others.”

In these confusing and worrying times, local journalism is more vital than ever. Thanks to everyone who helps us ask the questions that matter by taking out a subscription or buying a paper. We stand together. Nancy Fielder, editor.