A Milford man has hit out at what he says are 'unjust' Coronavirus rules that are stopping him from carrying out his work as a car valeter and putting his health at risk as he falls back on another line of work to feed his family.

Andy Velios is the owner and sole member of staff of Jax Magic Detailing Ltd.

He told Godalming Nub News he had been told to stop working by a member of Waverley's environmental health team, who had cited Coronavirus rules stating that valeting and detailing could only be carried out on taxis or for businesses.

"I was told that this was to help reduce the spread and the chance of spreading Covid," he said.

"Most of my work consists of a very high level of vehicle cleaning and sanitisation, all of which is carried out outdoors with no contact with the clients, gloves are worn and since Covid has hit, I also wear a mask. All surfaces touched inside and outside of the car are sanitised; this was my usual level of service before coronavirus."

But he says the rules make no sense as he has been told that he can continue his other line of work, carrying out property maintenance and mechanical work on private vehicles.

"I asked the member of Waverley if I was able to carry out mechanical services including delivery and collection," he said. "I was told that yes I could. When I asked if there was any legal obligation to sanitise the vehicle after use I was told there was not.

"When asked if I could carry out property maintenance jobs involving going in and out of multiple clients' homes I was told that this was also okay. Furthermore due to the way in which they have asked me to cease my normal operations, I am not eligible for any financial help from them and have been told my best bet would be Universal Credit.

"It has become very clear that although they are stating they are stopping me working to reduce the potential spread of Covid, they are actively encouraging the chance of a potential spread by forcing my hand into carrying out work that requires more contact with the public and more possible exposure to the virus.

"I am a type 1 diabetic and considered clinically vulnerable, and with Waverley Borough Council's rules I am being put further at risk so that I can pay my bills and feed my two young children, who are three years old and 10 months.

"I was also advised that it was not law to close, but that they would impose sanctions on me if I continued to operate.

"I am on a lot of car detailing online forums, and people in other council areas are being allowed to stay open, which doesn't seem fair.

"I was at the point of carrying on – I have a mortgage to pay and kids to feed – and I considered just paying the fine and taking the hit – but I do want to stick to the rules.

"Some of my customers are going to the businesses that have stayed open, so they're taking my trade away, and although they say they will come back when we're allowed to reopen, there's no guarantee of that.

"I find the whole thing slightly unjust and would like to try and raise some awareness on the matter, especially as it is actively encouraging contact and the potential spread of Covid-19."

A Waverley Borough Council spokesperson said:

"We sympathise with Mr Velios and all businesses that have been affected by the pandemic, however, from 6 January 2021, a national lockdown has applied in all of England, and whilst we have been working hard to support local business, as with all other councils, we are bound by government regulations and guidance to ensure the safety of all those in our borough. At present, regulations class the businesses of operating a car wash (except for an automatic car wash) and the provision of car washing services and businesses and services of that kind as 'restricted businesses' and 'restricted services' so hand car/vehicle washing and/or valeting businesses must cease to operate. There are no exceptions to the regulations, however, the Government agency that liaises with the enforcement authorities has issued some guidance, so at present the following limited exceptions exist:

Hand car washing: Where a trader carries out a car repair, maintenance or MoT business, then hand car washing, essential to enable bodywork or mechanical vehicle repairs, maintenance or MoT inspections to be done, is permitted to be carried out by that trader (i.e. the vehicle repair /maintenance trader is permitted to hand wash the vehicles for its customers, but only where it is essential to enable that trader to carry out work on a vehicle.)

"We will continue to monitor Government guidance and reflect any changes in our advice to businesses."

Current Covid-19 business advice can be found on Waverley Borough Council's dedicated business website here.