IS IT TOO MUCH TO MASK?
We reveal shocking images of customers AND staff risking public safety in Freeman Street shops
AS lockdown restrictions continue to be eased over the coming weeks, shops are being urged to keep adhering to strict coronavirus rule to ensure customers and staff stay safe. In Grimsby and Cleethorpes, Humberside Police have regularly been carrying out Covid patrols and issuing fines to businesses not complying with rules as well as any members of the public risking public safety.
Your Grimsby Telegraph visited ZamZam, Harrison’s News and Arian News on Freeman Street as well as the indoor market to see how Covid compliant they are a year from when the pandemic started. Measures to prevent coronavirus from spreading were in place at all premises, including safety screens and signs to ask customers to use hand sanitiser and to keep to twometres apart.
The Grimsby Telegraph did find a number of customers and shop staff not wearing face masks.
In England, you must wear a face covering in shops, supermarkets and indoor markets by law, unless there is a medical exemption. When we visited ZamZam on Freeman Street a member of staff appeared with a face covering around her chin, not covering her mouth or nose.
Two members of staff at the rear of the premises had no face covering while serving a customer whose mask was dropped down over his chin as he collected flatbreads. On a subsequent visit a female staff member had no covering at all in the store but put one on when a reporter identified themselves. The shop has been visited by
Humberside Police while on a Covid patrol and three staff members received fines.
A spokesman frorm ZamZam told the Grimsby Telegraph: “When the police came I had my mask on but it was lower down not covering my nose and I got a fine.”
He explained how difficult it is for businesses to get customers to comply with the measures.
He said: “When people come in, sometimes they are not wearing a mask and we tell them they have to. “We have signs up and have hand sanitiser at the entrance for people to use. We keep asking customers to wear a mask.”
At Harrison’s News, staff are also frustrated by the number of customers coming in without a face covering.
He said he does not serve customers unless they have a mask on. Manager Salih Ali said: “What can we do? We can’t push them. There are a lot who do not listen.”
At Arian News when the Grimsby Telegraph attended there was a man
in the store without a mask, talking on his mobile phone.
Adil Omar, a staff member, said he always challenges those not wearing a mask.
He said: “If anyone comes in without a mask, I ask them to leave. There is the two-metre rule in place and I am okay with that. We have the signs and the pathway for people to take.”
At Freeman Street Market, Sean McGarel, general manager of the Enrolled Freemen of Grimsby, is pleased the way traders and visitors have responded throughout the first year of the pandemic.
He said: “Some people forget to wear a mask, very few flatly refuse. “The businesses, without exception, have done extremely well.
“It is not just being clean, hygienic and keeping the distance, you have got to be seen to be doing it. It has gone pretty well for a year. It has become more normal, almost second nature.”
It comes as North East Lincolnshire Council warns employers could face fines of up to £10,000 for flouting Covid rules – including allowing an employee to work when they have been instructed to selfisolate.
The council, together with Public Health, issued the warning as the number of fines handed to businesses has risen in recent weeks. Council officers have the power to issue fixed penalty notices to anyone that they believe has committed an offence under these Coronavirus regulations.
Councillor Ron Shepherd, portfolio holder for safer and stronger communities said: “These laws are in place for a reason. This virus spreads very easily when people come together, so allowing someone who could be carrying the virus to come into a business environment where they may be interacting with other staff and customers is potentially devastating.
“The simple message that we want to get across to employers is that if you knowingly allow staff who should be self-isolating to continue to come in to work, you will face a fine.w
Geoff Barnes, Deputy Director for Public Health, said: “It is vitally important that employees do not enter the workplace if they have been told to self-isolate.
“By allowing someone who should be self-isolating to continue to come into work, you are putting lives at risk.”