FACE COVERING WARNINGS ISSUED

POLICE AND COUNCIL OFFICIALS VISIT SHOPS IN CITY

POLICE and council officials warned 25 people for not wearing face coverings correctly in a series of Covid19 regulation checks at shops.

Officers visited businesses in the city centre, and at Beaumont Leys’ Beaumont Shopping Centre, to see whether the correct measures were in place to enable social-distancing and encourage compliance with the rules on face coverings.

Premises where face coverings are required are expected to take reasonable steps to ensure people comply with the law.

The visits were carried out between Wednesday and Friday in Belgrave Gate, Church Gate, High Street, Loseby Lane, Gallowtree Gate, Humberstone Gate and Granby Street in the city, as well as at the shopping centre.

Joint visits by police and officers from the city council’s food safety and public safety teams were made to a total of 64 businesses, including hair, beauty, retail and food outlets.

In all, 45 required additional posters stating the need for face coverings.

At the 26 food outlets which were visited, officers dealt with 18 instances of staff and seven of customers not wearing face coverings correctly.

Covid-19 guidance for businesses and posters highlighting the need for face coverings were handed out to 12 businesses.

No fines were issued during the operation, but the police can take action against people who do not comply with the law without a valid exemption, including fines of up to £200 for the first offence.

Further visits are due to be carried out elsewhere in the city during the coming weeks as part of attempts to try to push down the Covid-19 infection rate in the city and county.

The city council is responsible for working with businesses to ensure they have suitable regulations in place to ensure customers’ safety within the coronavirus regulations.

Council head of regulatory services, Nicola Preston, said: “The runup to Christmas is always a very busy time for businesses of all sorts and it is vital they continue to observe the national Covid-19 regulations such as wearing of face coverings, to put the safety of staff and customers first.

“I’m glad to say that for the most part, people and businesses are complying with the regulations and many businesses have good measures in place to keep people safe.

“Our officers gave advice to several businesses which needed to improve their arrangements to ensure customer and staff safety, and we will be making follow-up visits to some of these to ensure they are meeting the standards expected of them.”

Central Leicester police commander Inspector Adam Archer said: “Although we did not give any fines out in these instances, this was because people responded to advice in the right way.

“We are all working together to beat this virus and we all have to take personal responsibility for our safety by following the rules and guidelines.

“We are doing this work to help keep people safe and protect livelihoods. It is really important we all do our bit.”