COVID MARSHALS WILL TARGET RULE-BREAKERS

COVID marshals have been drafted into a town centre to crack down on shoppers and traders flouting coronavirus rules.

They will make sure shoppers are complying with social distancing guidance and ensure businesses are wearing the correct PPE across Newcastle town centre.

It comes as Newcastle Borough Council is writing to every household and business urging them to repel the spread of the virus.

Latest figures show there are 141 coronavirus cases per 100,000 people in the borough. It remains in tier one and a medium alert area. Council leader Simon Tagg said: “A letter is going out to every business and household in the borough. It will start by thanking them for their sacrifices so far, reminding them of the issues we have got, and the need to carry on a bit further to get the spread under control.

“The county-wide local outbreak board, which I sit on, has moved its meetings to weekly. We’re working very closely with the director of public health, the leader of the county council, and both our MPS who are making representations to the Government as they consider the numbers and the risk against the economic pain of closing businesses or restricting the way they operate. “We have set up a multi-agency board to ensure that all steps are taking place, particularly within the town centre. That is particularly looking at the 18 to 25-year-old age group which is seen to be an area where the virus is spreading. “Our officers are working to ensure that Covid safety continues in our pubs and restaurants. As far as I can see that has really been working well and is not a source of great infections within the borough. “We are in tier one at the moment and we want to remain there by taking all the action we can to bring down that rate while protecting livelihoods in the borough.”

The marshal scheme has been funded with £60,000 Government cash.