From today (Wednesday, 11 November) COVID-19 stewards began visiting Ealing’s high streets and town centres to give advice to businesses and residents about COVID-19 rules, helping to keep Ealing safe and reduce the spread of the virus.
Part of their remit is to remind and encourage people to follow the COVID-19 public health measures such as adhering to social distancing, wearing face coverings where required, and avoiding social mixing. They will also hand-out face coverings and hand gel to those who do not have them.
During the second lockdown, the stewards provide advice to businesses around managing queueing arrangements and other requirements for those who are permitted to remain open for services such as take-aways and click and collect.
The COVID-19 stewards will also help the council to identify areas of concern including businesses who are not following guidelines and may require additional support. Where necessary, they will also refer matters to the relevant authorities for enforcement.
The stewards will be visiting locations across the borough focusing on high footfall areas including shopping areas and transport hubs, as well as areas with high concentrations of hospitality businesses such as pubs, restaurants and takeaways.
Councillor Joanna Camadoo-Rothwell, Ealing Council’s cabinet member for community safety and inclusion, said: “Our COVID-19 stewards will provide vital additional support to check that our businesses are not flouting the rules and are playing their part to protect the welfare of their staff and customers.
“We hope their presence will reassure residents that our high streets are safe to visit, when permitted, and remind everyone that we all need to work together to keep our community safe and reduce the number of people getting this virus.”
The COVID-19 stewards will work on a rota to that covers day, night and weekend activity.
Report it
If you are concerned about breaches to the government’s restrictions, please report your concerns to the relevant authorities to investigate.
For concerns around travel outside of the home or where people are gathering contrary to rules, please contact the police using their online form or by calling the non-emergency police telephone number 101.
If you are concerned about a business that might not be operating safely such as not complying with COVID-19 Secure measures, restrictions and closure rules please notify the council by emailing covid19businesscompliance@ealing.gov.uk.
Businesses can also contact covid19businesscompliance@ealing.gov.uk for advice and support on how to implement and follow the regulations.
The COVID-19 Stewards are funded through an allocation of the COVID-19 Emergency Funding for Local Government, announced by the government in late September.
