Covid marshals to patrol city
A group of marshals will patrol the city centre and advise people to follow social distancing guidelines.
Five marshals, funded by Sunderland BID and the city Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG), will be working everyday across the city centre, encouraging shoppers and visitors to abide by the latest rules to help prevent a further lockdown.
The marshals’ role includes asking people to wear face coverings at key points including the Bridges, Park
Lane Interchange and at cafes and restaurants offering takeaway.
They will also help to ensure queues outside businesses are socially distanced, dispersing groups of more than six people, and enforcing the one way-system in the tunnel between Fawcett Street and Market Square.
Anyone who is exempt from wearing a face covering will need to have evidence with them or may be refused entry to indoor premises.
This comes after a survey carried out by Sunderland BID early in the summer found one of people’s biggest concerns about returning to the city centre was the behaviour of others.
Sharon Apple by, Head of Business Operations at Sunderland BID said: “The marshals’ role is about helping people in a friendly way to abide by the restrictions, which are vital to help us avoid any possible future lockdown.
“So far we’ve had a really positive reaction to their presence from both shoppers and businesses.
“It’s important that we take all the steps we can to ensure the city centre remains a safe place to visit, as this will not only help stop the spread of COVID-19, but also help protect jobs and the local economy.”
David Chandler, Deputy Chief Officer and CFO for Sunderland CC G, added: “The CCG is keen to support this initiative which is aimed at helping us all to stay safe and protecting the NHS during these extremely difficult times.”
Sunderland City Council and Nexus, which manages the Park Lane Interchange, are also supporting the scheme. Nexus Customer Services Director Huw Lewis said: “Our teams are working hard to remind people about face coverings and social distancing, and we welcome the addition of marshals to reinforce those messages, to help keep everyone safe.”