CIEEM members are advised first and foremost to do everything they can to keep themselves and others safe. Please do follow the latest advice and restrictions from governments (see COVID-19 Background Information) for the country in which you work.
Members are encouraged to take due diligence in planning work, and that they carefully consider the definition of essential services/functions. Members must take responsibility for reducing and mitigating the risks of spreading the virus. Essentially, the higher the risk of spreading the virus, the more scrutiny should be giving to how essential services/functions are defined.
Members should also consider how far they or their staff/subcontractor will be from emergency services, should they be needed, and plan accordingly. This should include considering the potential added burden on emergency services.
Members may also choose to take extra precautions in light of the new COVID-19 variants.
As restrictions ease across the UK and Ireland there is likely to be a mass ‘staycation’ and members are encouraged to consider a possible shortage of accommodation and more possible interaction with the public. Members are encouraged to use local contractors as an alternative to overnight stays if possible (see Subcontractor Directory in the members area of the website).
CIEEM’s Governing Board is keeping the situation under ongoing review and will update these pages as necessary.
Members may choose to use one of the official track and trace apps that are available for England and Wales, for Scotland, for Northern Ireland, and for the Republic of Ireland.
We must ensure that we look after our mental health and well-being during these unconventional times. Members are encouraged to be proactive with their mental health and well-being, including seeking help/advice before it becomes serious. Breaks away from work are important, including taking annual leave.
See the COVID-19 and Your Mental Health webpage for information and tips, and also remember that members have free access the the CIEEM Member Assistance Programme (MAP). The MAP offers a wealth of online resources and guidance, as well as a free confidential telephone Adviceline. This enables you to discuss any problem(s) you may have with someone who is trained to listen.
At the start of the pandemic we started a new webinar series called Sector Streams. We ran five episodes focusing on COVID-19 and the sector in 2020. All episodes are available to watch in the Resource Hub under ‘Conference Presentations and Webinars’. We are taking a break from the series but it will be back.
To better understand the impact of the current situation on both yourselves and your work, together with what help you may need, we undertook a survey of members in spring 2020. A report back on the findings was covered in episode 3 of our Sector Streams webinar series.
Please see the Coronavirus subpages in the navigation for further advice and information.
Latest Updates to CV19 Webpages
13 April 2021
- Added link to Natural Resources Wales – Processes and timescales for protected species licensing during the Covid-19 outbreak.
22 March 2021
3 March 2021
- Main page above updated
- Added information on receiving free Coronavirus tests for employees who cannot work from home
- Add link to How to Stay Calm in a Global Pandemic by Emma Hepburn
10 February 2021
- Published Guidance on Ecological Survey and Assessment in the UK During the COVID-19 Outbreak (version 4)
- Added links to Mental Health Foundation’s ‘How to Look After Your Mental Health During the Coronavirus Outbreak’ and ‘Thriving with Nature’
4 February 2021
- Added link to latest Natural England operational update
- Added link to England Self-Employment Income Support Scheme Factsheet
- Added link to Planning Inspectorate guidance – updated 12 January 2021
- Specific advice for self-employed and small limited companies can also be found on the MoneySavingExpert website
- Added link to VAT deferred due to coronavirus (COVID-19) information
- Added links to working with wild mammals and bats
- Added link to letter to the Construction Sector from Rt Hon Kwasi Kwarteng BEIS SoS (11 January 2021)
- Added link to Site Operating Procedures Version 7 (7 January 2021)
- Updated links to revised statements from the BTO and Wildlife Trusts
- Added link to Jacobs’ One Million Lives mental health and well-being resource
12 January 2021
- Updated advice in relation to the Republic of Ireland
- Updated information in relation to CIEEM events
8 December 2020
17 November 2020
9 November 2020
3 November 2020
26 October 2020
- Updated advice for Scotland
- Updated advice for England with regards to working with mammals under licence
21 October 2020
20 October 2020
19 October 2020
16 October 2020
8 October 2020
- Updated track and trace app information above
5 October 2020
- General review of and update to COVID-19 subpages
- Major update to COVID-19 and Your Mental Health subpage
- Add information regarding claiming homeworking tax relief
28 September 2020
- General update of information across all Coronavirus subpages
10 July 2020
6 July 2020
- Update advice for Northern Ireland and Republic of Ireland
- Published revised advice for safely undertaking fieldwork
- Updated link to latest Environment Agency update (3 July 2020)
- Added link to updated Remediation and COVID-19: Building Safety update (last updated 2 July 2020)
- Updated link to version 2 of BSI’s guidance on safe working during the COVID-19 pandemic
- Updated link to revised Countryside Code (England and Wales) (updated 2 July 2020)
29 June 2020
22 June 2020
- Added link to latest Environment Agency update (19 June 2020)
- Updated advice for the sector operating in Scotland
- Update events page to include information regarding CIEEM conferences
16 June 2020
- Added link to Construction Leadership Council roadmap to recovery plan (published 1 June 2020)
- Note added that we will consider rescinding the Guidance on Ecological Survey and Assessment (UK and Ireland) in September 2020
11 June 2020
- Created new webpage on Guidance for Site Management and Other Practical Outdoor Work
- Updated link to Natural Resources Wales response to the Coronavirus Pandemic (last updated 3 June 2020)
- Added link to Visitor Safety Group guidance on Working Practices for Landowners and Countryside Managers (May 2020)
- Added link to advice relating to using a boat inland and on the coast (England)
9 June 2020
8 June 2020
5 June 2020
- Added link to Coronavirus (COVID-19): framework for decision making – Scotland’s route map through and out of the crisis (21 May 2020)
- Added link to Coronavirus (COVID-19): framework for decision making – Phase 1 update (29 May 2020)
3 June 2020
- Added guidance from Defra to Natural England on Covid-19 and wildlife surveying and mitigation works (28 May 2020)
- Added link to recommendations of the EUROBATS Advisory Committee on potential risks of SARS-CoV-2 transmission from humans to bats (11 May 2020)
- Added link to Coronavirus (COVID-19): planning procedures – Chief Planner letter (29 May 2020)
- Added link to Coronavirus (COVID-19): development planning consultation and engagement advice (29 May 2020)
- Added link to Coronavirus (COVID-19): development planning – Chief Planner letter (29 May 2020)
- Added link to POST item on COVID-19 outbreak: What are experts concerned about? (11 May 2020)
2 June 2020
- Added Welsh Government Chief Planner letter to Heads of Planning (29 April 2020)
- Added link to Coronavirus (COVID-19): framework for decision making – further information (5 May 2020)
- Added link to Coronavirus (COVID-19): framework for decision making (23 April 2020)
- Added link to Irish Government Roadmap for reopening society and business
- Added link to Coronavirus (Scotland) (No.2) Act 2020
- Added links to MPA guidance for managers and employees
- Added link to Guidance – Coronavirus (COVID-19): construction update Q&A (13 May 2020)
- Added link to Guidance – Coronavirus (COVID-19): charter for safe working practice (14 May 2020)
- Added link to Coronavirus: Environment Agency update (2 June 2020)
- Added link to new BSI guidance on safe working during the COVID-19 pandemic
30 May 2020
19 May 2020
- Updated information on CIEEM field-based training events being cancelled until the end of August 2020
- Link to Sector Streams Ep3 webinar which covered the Covid-19 membership survey (see above)
18 May 2020
- Updated advice for those working in Ireland in light of restrictions being relaxed from today
- Updated Natural Resources Wales Species Permitting Q&As to latest version
12 May 2020
- Updated advice for members in Ireland in light of restrictions easing from 18 May 2020
- Added link to UK Government recovery strategy
11 May 2020
- Updated advice for members in Scotland
- Added link to information from Welsh Government on funding for small charities
7 May 2020
5 May 2020
- Added recommendation that members carry copies of relevant letters/paperwork with them when undertaking fieldwork
- Added Welsh Government letter re clarification on the continuation of ecological work during the Covid-19 restrictions
- Added link to Irish Government information on the roadmap for reopening business and society
- Added link to Welsh Government framework for recovery information
4 May 2020
1 May 2020
- Added link to UN Environment Programme statement on Covid-19
- Added link to revised NRW Covid-19 Q&As – Species Permitting v2 (30 April 2020)
29 April 2020
- Added link to new Sector Streams webinars (see above)
- Added link to Scottish Government webpage on Coronavirus (COVID-19): development management – frequently asked questions
28 April 2020
- Added Natural England letter on WML-CL33 GCN (advice on completing licensed activities on sites registered under WML-CL33 during the COVID-19 pandemic) (28 April 2020)
- Updated link to latest ‘Coronavirus – Guidance on implications for Natural England’s development management advice and wildlife licensing’ blog (22 April 2020)
- Added articles from IUCN and IPBES on Covid-19
27 April 2020
- Added Student health and well-being resources to the mental health and well-being pages.
22 April 2020
- Added links to the CIEEM Membership Assistance Programme to the business support and mental health and well-being webpages
- Added links to information on office insurance, insurance risks, chasing unpaid invoices, and dealing with debt
- Added link to Construction Skills Certification Scheme (CSCS) Cards and Covid-19 information under
- Revised link to Natural England’s latest Operational Update (22 April 2020)
- Added note regarding recommending members contact their clients regarding pre-start up checks for wildlife before construction and development works restart
- Added item to main website newsfeed regarding IUCN warning about passing CV19 to bats
21 April 2020
- Removed survey link and amended relevant text (see above)
20 April 2020
- Updated advice for members in the Republic of Ireland
- Added links to Northern Ireland guidance on making workplaces safer and list of priority sectors, which includes “Surveyors (Land, Air Quality, Noise and Ecological)”
- Added letter regarding Covid-19 and Scottish Government Energy Consents Unit (SG Energy and Climate Change Directorate, 15 April 2020)
17 April 2020
- Added link to Natural England guidance on implications for Natural England’s development management advice and wildlife licensing (16 April 2020)
- Added link to National Policy Chiefs’ Council and College of Policing information for England on ‘What constitutes a reasonable excuse to leave the place where you live’
- Added link to SNH Planning for Development Services update
- Added amenity sector information for England
16 April 2020
15 April 2020
11 April 2020
- Redrafted the CV19 and Advice for Members webpage to separate advice for each UK country
- Added letter from Defra to CIEEM regarding ecological and environmental professionals (9 April 2020)
- Added link to survey (see above)
- Added new statement from Welsh Government regarding eligibility for support from the new Economic Resilience Fund
- Added announcement from Irish Government that restrictions will remain in place until 5 May 2020
- Added link to Coronavirus (Scotland) Act 2020
- Restructured CV19 Response from SNCOs, Government Agencies and Others webpage into UK countries and Ireland
9 April 2020
- Added newly published UK government guidance for ‘outdoor businesses’
- Added Scottish Government guidance on business and social distancing (4 April 2020)
- Added Scottish Government statement to telecommunications operators on build and maintenance of networks (9 April 2020)
8 April 2020
7 April 2020
- Added new guidance from Scottish Government on construction
- Added NHS “10 tips to help if you are worried about coronavirus”
3 April 2020
2 April 2020
- Added more links to resources on health and well-being
- Updated training courses that are going ahead remotely
- Added additional links to business support in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland
- Added links to Covid-19 information from the UK Parliamentary Office for Science and Technology (POST) and the UK Parliament House of Commons Library
1 April 2020