Guidelines are being flouted every day

JOINT statements from regional councils on the progress and dangers of Covid-19 are all very well but where is enforcement?

If the City Council is aware of how contagious this virus is, why allow situations that encourage people to congregate?

I see infringements of the Government guidelines every day but there is no one in Civic Centre to speak to.

I understand their desire to help the hospitality sector as much as they can.

However, those businesses allowed to operate a takeaway service and operate a pavement licence should understand the rules which permit them to do so.

A takeaway service is allowed as long as customers wear a face covering (unless a health issue prevents this) and equally important once customers have purchased their food/drink they should leave the the vicinity and not congregate.

As we have seen with scores of people drinking pints around the Monument this is not the case.

Here in Jesmond, every day there are people hanging around outside of Cafe Nero with their coffees as if it were a pleasant day in St Germain.

We also have a pizzeria which encourages people to hang around and eat pizza at tables they have positioned out on a busy pavement.

It is so ridiculous, so irresponsible and no one is monitoring the situation, merely meeting on Zoom and posting joint lettersproclaiming solidarity in the face of the pandemic.

Hopefully, for the sake of the heroes of the NHS and care services, those who like their coffee and pizza in public might reconsider their behaviour.

TOM MOORE, Jesmond