Covid marshals to carry out supermarket safety spot checks
Hull’s Princes Avenue. Picture by Tom Arran Commercial Photography
Covid marshals are to carry out spot checks at Hull’s supermarkets to ensure safety measures are in place.
Officers from the city council’s Public Protection Team will visit supermarkets and other essential retailers to assess the measures that have been implemented and make sure shoppers and staff are safe.
Those which fail to meet the necessary safety standards will be told they must improve, and advice will be given. Enforcement action may follow, if necessary.
The council has also moved to remind customers they have a key role to play and must do all they can to shop safely and responsibly.
Khaled Choudhury, Principal Environmental Health Officer, said: “We’ve written to local supermarkets and other shops to let them know we’ll be making these visits and checking how effectively they’ve implemented Covid-19 safety measures.
“These businesses and all of us who shop at them have a vital role to play in reducing risk of transmission in the community. If we find somewhere that doesn’t have adequate protection in place, we’ll let them know what they need to do and can provide the necessary advice and support to make improvements.
“If necessary, there are enforcement measures we could use to ensure standards are improved but this is about working constructively with local businesses and supporting them to be as safe as possible.
“The role of shoppers in stopping the transmission of the virus to others cannot be underestimated and we will also be working to ensure everyone understands what they must do to protect themselves and others while shopping”.
Councillor Mike Thompson, Portfolio Holder for Public Protection, said: “The aim of these visits is to improve safety for everyone, staff and customers, and to reduce the risk of coronavirus spreading through our communities as much as possible.
“We have been under varying degrees of restrictions for a long time now and it’s easy to let things slide or unwittingly become complacent. However, remaining vigilant is the most important thing all of us can do.
“The work of the team will place coronavirus safety at the forefront of everyone’s minds, identify where improvements need to be made and provide the relevant support. With lockdown in place, shopping is the one interaction most of us are unable to avoid completely, so it really is vital that it is as safe as it can possibly be.”
The steps everyone should take when shopping are as follows:
Shop alone wherever possible
Wear a mask, unless you are exempt – a number of shops now refuse entry to those who refuse to use a face covering
Use hand sanitiser where it is available
Stay two metres away from others at all times
Follow any safety advice in place in individual shops – for example, one-way systems or markers for queuing
Use contactless payments wherever possible
Shop as infrequently as you can
Sanitise your basket or trolley where this is offered
Do not touch your eyes, nose or mouth
Do not stop to chat
Do not touch items unnecessarily.
Businesses have been sent a checklist of safety measures to assist them to do their own assessment and put measures in place.
Government guidance is also available and can be found online at https://www.gov.uk/guidance/working-safely-during-coronavirus-covid-19/shops-and-branches.
Business owners can also seek support from the Public Protection Team, and members of the public can report a business they believe is not observing safety standards using this form on the council’s website http://www.hull.gov.uk/coronavirus/coronavirus-business-advice-and-support/coronavirus-covid-19-information-businesses.