No masks at nine businesses
POLICE HAND OUT FINES TO TWO BOSSES AND WARN OTHER SHOPS AND TAKEAWAYS
BOSSES at nine shops and takeaways across Burton were caught not wearing face masks when police carried out checks.
Fines were handed out to two businesses for breaking Covid lockdown rules, while others were given warnings.
Officers along with Covid marshals from East Staffordshire Borough Council, were out patrolling the streets, popping into shops and takeaways to speak with owners and customers after receiving reports of Covid breaches from members of the community and shoppers who were worried about a lack of compliance with coronavirus rules.
Advice was given out, while a Covid breach ticket was handed to the owner of the Balak Shop in Uxbridge Street on January 16 to a man in his 40s for failing to comply with face covering regulations, said a spokesman for Staffordshire Police.
That evening, takeaways and shops were visited and people had to be reminded about needing to wear masks in nine shops and takeaways, he added.
All store owners were reminded of the need to wear masks and were informed enforcement action would be taken if they were caught again breaching regulations in future visits.
On January 19, staff were warned for not wearing masks in another shop in Uxbridge Street. And a fixed penalty notice was issued to Desi Spice Takeaway, also in Uxbridge Street, for failing to comply with regulations after police returned for a another visit.
Sergeant Helen Kirkland, of Staffordshire Police’s Burton neighbourhood team, said: “We patrolled as we had received various reports of people ignoring the current Government guidelines with regards to face coverings.
“We wanted to remind shop owners and customers of the importance of adhering to the regulations to protect themselves and others as we all work together to keep businesses open while staving off the threat of the coronavirus pandemic.
“We intend to complete follow-up visits to ensure compliance following the warnings already given out to some businesses.”
It comes as the latest Covid figures have revealed that in East Staffordshire, a total of 7,474 people have now had confirmed cases of Covid19 since the beginning of the pandemic – a rise of 165 since Friday.
Five more deaths have been announced, so the total stands at 308 since the pandemic began. The population of the borough is around 119,754.
It was reported two weeks ago that cases were high in Burton with one in 20 people in some areas of town thought to have the virus.
Duncan Goodfellow, leader of East Staffordshire Borough Council, said: “Our Covid marshals and enforcement teams have been working closely with the police in ensuring adherence to the rules, and it’s good that the vast majority of people are acting responsibly in order to help stop the spread of infection.
“Unfortunately, despite being nearly 12 months into this pandemic and the rules being well understood, some people are still failing to follow them – and I am pleased that the police are taking robust action where this is the case.”
To report instances of non-compliance with the current Government guidelines, message Staffordshire Police on Facebook or Twitter, or call 101.