How do I keep safe when forced to have workmen in home

This morning TV last week,
15 ml domestos or other good strong bleach add to 500ml water put into a spray pump like a empty flash bottle and use. As you say you've got no choice but give yourself space and clean after.

How close do you get to your workmen? I'm hearing very bad 70s music and visualising a sleazy looking plumber who's barely wearing a pair of overalls asking where he can stick his plunger

We had workers in last week. They kept their distance and we kept ours. Most of the time they wore gloves. Octopus have told me that when the leccy man comes in a couple of weeks time to change my meter, he'll also be wearing gloves.

Don't worry too much. Builders seem to be taking their own precautions.

Wearing gloves might not help because it’s droplets in the air that spread the virus. Best to wipe everything down with a mild solution of bleach

And try to keep 6 feet away from them if talking to them.

Lots of plumbers have disposable gloves that they use as routine these days.

Do you have any rubber gloves? Issue them to the workers and ask them to wear them at all times. You can then wash the rubber gloves by putting them on your hands and washing your hands in dettol or simply soap and water.

Go out while they are there and when you return open the windows to let any bugs out; and wipe down surfaces, door handles and radiator thermostats. Use detergent on the cloth if you do not have Dettol or bleach.

All you can do is to take these sensible precautions and keep fingers crossed.