Minutes:
Members were given an update in respect of the powers which had been given to Local Councils and delegated to officers that sought to control the spread of COVID-19.
Local authorities were expected to take proportionate action by seeking to achieve compliance by an educative approach, but if necessary with fixed penalty notices which had been made available as an enforcement tool.
Whilst the Police had continued to lead on enforcement in relation to breaches of requirements on individuals for example with regard to the wearing of face coverings in public and the Rule of 6, local authorities were leading on the obligations placed on businesses. These obligations included business closure, restrictions on opening hours, as well the maintenance of social distancing and the rule of 6 within premises. It was noted that businesses were obligated to display notices communicating the need for face coverings and make available a QR code for customer scanning. There was also a requirement to provide a means of manual contact tracing. It was noted that some businesses such as nightclubs were required to remain fully closed.
Environmental Health and Licensing Officers were responding to large volumes of correspondence in respect of levels of observance to the new requirements, whilst also proactively monitoring adherence whilst on Camberley Town Centre night visits. There was also ongoing work being undertaken to communicate the new rules via the Economic Development Team; and to recruit and deploy Covid Ambassadors and Marshals.
There was confusion in the hospitality industry in respect of the 2 metre rule and the associated use of social distancing screens; and there was an identified need for some premises to move furniture to maintain social distancing.
It was reported that whilst on their in person inspections, the Environmental Health and Licensing Teams had identified a number of premises which required follow up actions. These existing issues had included Quick Response (QR) codes and mask wearing posters not being displayed in prominent positions and slow customer responses to the 10pm closure.
Members were informed that the Borough’s Covid Ambassadors would be working closely with Collectively Camberley and local businesses to promote mask wearing and social distancing in The Square and in other retail premises. It was also noted that the Council were also planning to deploy the Town Centre’s former Taxi Marshalls as Covid Marshalls. Members expressed concerns in respect of the perceived lack of mask-wearing in Camberley Town Centre. It was hoped that the promotion of face coverings and the presence of Covid Marshalls would encourage adherence to the social distancing measures. In addition Members were also advised that there was funding available for the recruitment of an additional Environmental Health Officer, which would add to the resources available for enforcement.
RESOLVED that the verbal update on the enforcement of the Coronavirus Regulations be noted.