Hackney,
09
October
2020
|
17:15
Europe/London

Council to visit over 2,000 Hackney businesses to support them in ensuring new Covid-19 guidelines are being upheld

business
business

Over 2,000 businesses across the borough will be visited by Council officers over the coming weeks, to ensure that they’re following the vital Covid-19 safety guidelines. 

Officers will visit all hospitality, leisure and retail businesses in Hackney to check they are clear on - and implementing - current Government guidelines, which have been introduced to help ensure the safety of customers and staff in light of a steady increase in coronavirus cases across the UK. 

The new regulations include providing table service only for food and drink, not taking bookings for a group of more than six people and ensuring that there is no mingling between groups. Businesses who sell food and drink must also close at 10pm, but deliveries are permitted past this time. 

Hackney businesses have been working tirelessly with Council officers throughout the pandemic to ensure that their premises are Covid-19 secure - helping to keep their staff and customers safe. Since venues have been allowed to re-open, Hackney’s enforcement officers have been carrying out regular visits to ensure that all Covid-19 safety regulations are in place. 

Businesses who are not adhering to the Government’s Covid-19 regulations could be fined up to £10,000.

“
Cllr Caroline Selman, Cabinet Member for Community Safety, Policy, and the Voluntary Sector
We are incredibly proud of our business community who have been working tirelessly with Council officers to ensure the safety of their staff and customers, despite the significant challenges that they have faced themselves as a result of the pandemic.

These visits will help us ensure that all of our businesses are following the vital Covid-19 safety regulations, and to take enforcement action where necessary. We urge all businesses to continue adhering strictly to these guidelines to help us keep Hackney safe.

 
Cllr Caroline Selman, Cabinet Member for Community Safety, Policy, and the Voluntary Sector
„

Council officers will be checking that the following measures are in place: 

  • A COVID-secure risk assessment has been completed for the premises. 
  • Social distancing measures are in place.
  • Businesses selling food and drink provide table service only and customers remain seated at a table.
  • Businesses selling food and drink (including cafes, bars, pubs and restaurants), social clubs, casinos, bowling alleys, amusement arcades (and other indoor leisure centres or facilities), funfairs, theme parks, adventure parks and activities, and bingo halls close from 10pm to 5am. This includes takeaways, but they may still deliver.
  • The ‘rule of six’ is in place and no bookings are taken for groups of more than six, no admittance is given to groups of more than six and that there is no mingling between groups.
  • Staff and customers wear face coverings over their nose and mouth where mandated.
  • The NHS COVID-19 Test and Trace QR poster is displayed to allow customers to check-in and there is the provision of an alternative check-in method to collect the contact details for those without the NHS Test and Trace app. Businesses can check if they need to display posters here. 

If you’re concerned that a business is not complying with any of the above Covid-19 regulations, please let us know by emailing technicalbusinessupport@hackney.gov.uk. 

Please report directly to the Police for any issues regarding customers not wearing face coverings over their nose and mouth where mandated: www.met.police.uk/tua/tell-us-about/c19/tell-us-about-possible-breach-coronavirus-measures/