Lockdown: British people say having a cleaner in your house is 'very unacceptable' despite new rules

New poll reveals which activities and behaviours people find socially acceptable during the coronavirus pandemic

UK lockdown rules now allow cleaners to visit people's homes, but most people still think it is 'very unacceptable' (Getty Images/iStockphoto)

The majority of British people think that having a cleaner during the coronavirus pandemic is "very unacceptable," despite the government relaxing its lockdown rules.

The findings were revealed in a survey of more than 1,000 British adults aged 18 to 75, conducted between 8 and 11 May by market research firm Ipsos MORI, which sought to find out which behaviours are considered socially acceptable during the lockdown period.

More than 50 per cent of people surveyed said they thought it "very unacceptable" for someone to have a cleaner come to their home, while a further 19 per cent said they considered it "fairly unacceptable".

The government has said it is safe for cleaners to go back to work, provided that they are healthy and have no symptoms of Covid-19.

Official guidance states that cleaners should communicate with households prior to arrival, and on arrival, "to ensure the social distancing and hygiene measures that should be followed once work has commenced".

These measures include remaining 2m from any household occupant "at all times" and regularly washing hands.

Other behaviours and activities considered unacceptable, according to the survey, include having a nanny come to your home and socialising with non co-habiting friends or family members in the garden.

“As lockdown restrictions are gradually eased, there is some evidence that public opinion needs to play catch-up,” said Ipsos research director Keiran Pedley.

"From this week, nannies and cleaners will be allowed to return to work but our survey over the past weekend shows that few think having people in their homes to do these jobs is acceptable in the current climate.”