Shops and groups check out Covid opening rules
SHOPS and organisations in Macclesfield have been getting to grips with Covid-secure reopening measures to ensure they pass any spot checks.
Cheshire East Council and the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) are contacting businesses to check the right steps are being taken.
Advice and guidance is being provided but action will be taken if deemed necessary.
Any business, no matter what size or sector, could receive a spot check.
Louise Okill, who runs the Okill Pilates Studio, on Park Lane, said: “I’ve found the Covid-secure procedures straightforward to use and implement.
“It’s fantastic to be teaching again after lockdown.”
As well as following the guidelines, Louise has handmade equipment covers that she changes between clients as an additional measure and says it has all become ‘quite normal’.
Maggie Falconer Drew-Taylor runs Cheshire Streetwise, a Macclesfield not-for-profit organisation that provides counselling, skills workshops and a food bank. A significant proportion of their funding comes from their furniture store.
“Being closed obviously impacted business as the shop funds our community project and we have still had to pay rent and bills,” said Maggie. “Now we have reopened, then hopefully things will pick up.”
Cheshire Streetwise has implemented a one-way system and a Perspex shield at the till, as well as investing in a gel dispenser.
Maggie said she has no problem with the spot checks. Government guidance on Covid-secure measures differs between sectors, but there are some common rules.
Businesses should complete a Covid-19 risk assessment and clean more regularly, especially surfaces that are touched frequently.
Good ventilation should be provided, which can be mechanical or through open doors and windows.
Businesses must take part in NHS Track and Trace and should turn staff and customers away if they show Covid symptoms.
Signage reminding people of the need to wear face masks, hand sanitise and follow social distancing must also be visible.
Frank Jordan, the council’s executive director of place, said: “Being Covid-secure needs to be the priority for all businesses.
“It is a legal duty for businesses to protect their workers and others from harm and this includes reasonable steps to protect people from coronavirus.
“It’s really important that we maintain the impetus in the coming weeks and I’m confident that we will.”