Council asks businesses and customers to remain cautious amid lockdown easing

With the first weekend since the easing of national lockdown restrictions approaching, Sefton Council’s Environmental Health Team is urging the Borough’s businesses and their customers to follow the guidelines.

Peter Moore, Sefton Council’s Head of Highways & Public Protection said: “Since the restrictions eased on Monday, we have been working with Sefton’s businesses to provide help and advice and we have been pleased to see the thorough preparations the vast majority of them have made.

“With a busy weekend expected for our popular hospitality sector, we are asking business owners and managers to ensure they are familiar with the latest regulations.

“But we are also asking their customers to be considerate and to follow the requirements that are there to keep both them and the people serving them safe.”

Among the latest requirements for people visiting bars and restaurants that are open because they have outdoor facilities, is the need for them to be seated while drinking and eating. The volume of any music or TVs should be kept to background levels so people don’t have to raise their voices to chat.

Also, the national regulations now mean everyone visiting a bar or restaurant needs to ‘check in’ by scanning the QR code at the entrance, for Test and Trace purposes. Previously, it was just one person from each group.

Mr Moore continued: “Despite the easing of restrictions and the good progress of the NHS vaccination programme, COVID-19 is still very much with us and while around a third of people, will show no symptoms, it can still present a serious or even lethal threat to some.

“Everyone is, therefore, required to scan in with the QR code so that they can be traced should any cases of coronavirus be detected.  This can help prevent them from passing on the virus accidentally.”

Details of how businesses can create a QR code for their premises are at www.gov.uk/create-coronavirus-qr-poster

As well as these specific requirements, Sefton Council’s Environmental Health officers have been reminding local businesses about the need for continued distancing, wearing face coverings, maintaining ventilation where possible and washing their hands thoroughly and frequently.

Help and support for businesses available from Sefton Council’s Environmental Health team who can be contact at ETSContact@sefton.gov.uk or by calling 0345 140 0345.

Also, the Government has produced 14 guides to help businesses keep their employees and customers safe They cover a wide range of different types of work and workplace, which can be found at http://gov.uk/workingsafely .

Mr Moore added: “We want people and businesses to have a good and successful weekend and to enjoy their new-found freedoms, but we would also ask everyone to be considerate and conscious of their own safety and the safety of those around them at all times.”