Covid cops catch barbers breaking face mask rules on first day out of lockdown
Stoke-on-trent City Council’s public protection teams carried out checks at 95 re-opening businesses, yet Phil Corrigan reveals that while breaches were discovered, no enforcement action was taken
COUNCIL teams carried out checks at nearly 100 reopened businesses following the easing of lockdown restrictions – but took no enforcement action despite some barbers flouting face mask rules.
Twelve public protection officers from Stoke-on-trent City Council spent Monday visiting shopping areas across the Potteries as non-essential retailers and other businesses welcomed customers for the first time in months.
The teams visited 30 general retail stores, 29 pubs and hospitality venues, and 36 businesses that have close contact with customers – such as hairdressers and barbers.
The city council says a ‘small number’ of premises – mostly barber shops – were not complying with the rules around face masks.
While no enforcement action was taken, the officers gave advice to 25 businesses, reminding them of the rules around social distancing within stores and the need for staff to wear face coverings.
The public protection teams will carry out further visits in the coming days to ensure businesses follow the rules.
Council leader Abi Brown, right, said: “Businesses have been planning for Monday’s reopening for such a long time.
“It is a hugely significant milestone in our city’s journey out of lockdown to have non-essential retail stores back open.
“It’s been fantastic to see so many businesses following their tried and tested Covid-secure measures and putting the safety of customers and staff first, and we wish them every success as lockdown continues to ease.
“Our officers were visiting premises very much in a supporting role to check the processes that businesses have in place, and to give advice.
“The majority of the premises they gave advice to were barber shops, where they found that staff either had face coverings but weren’t wearing them correctly, or didn’t have face coverings at all.
“We stress that this was a small number of premises, and teams will monitor the situation.
“Many pubs in the city were not open and teams will continue to work with premises as we move towards the weekend.”
Dr Paul Edmondson-jones, director of adult social care, health integration and wellbeing, said: “We know that it is exciting to have shops reopening and to be able to go to the hairdressers and gyms again.
“Premises have been working so hard to support the safe return of shoppers and visitors.
“We ask that if you are out and about to please remember the hands, face, space and fresh air message.
“Continue to follow the public health guidance and please stay safe.”