Taking the Sting Out of Enforcing COVID Rules

To keep everyone safe, the UK Government along with the Welsh, Scottish and Northern Ireland Governments have introduced a range of measures for when customers shop or eat out. These rules are legally enforceable with fines for people who refuse to wear a mask in certain areas. Just how do you strike the right balance?

We all have a responsibility to slow the spread of the coronavirus in the UK. Guided by scientists and medical advisers, rules are in place such as wearing a mask in shops and other enclosed spaces.

Just as there are responsibilities on us all as individuals, businesses are also faced with the prospect of fines if they don’t ensure they are COVID-secure.

What do COVID-secure premises look like?

The rules of what and how a business should do to make their premises COVID-secure may change. Please check the latest guidance from the UK Government, the Scottish Government, the Welsh Government and the Northern Ireland Assembly. There may also be local variations relating to local lockdowns too.

It’s a fine balancing act between encouraging people to return to the high street to support local businesses but stemming the growing tide of COVID cases.

Thus COVID-secure premises is essential. For retailers, the construction industry and workers for other essential services, working from home is not an option. And that means ensuring measures are in place to protect your staff as well as customers.

• Social distancing

Keeping a distance of between 1 and 2 metres is essential in minimising the possibility of spread the virus from one person to the next. In Wales, the rule is a minimum of 2 metres but in England, it is 1 metre or more.

Whilst most people try, it can be hard when there are too many people gathered in an enclosed space, whether that is inside or outside.

Monitoring this situation and doing something is key for many businesses. But it can be hard for staff to be directive, especially when some people are abusive in their response.

Trained security personnel are key for smooth running on premises such as pubs and other venues in these strange ’new’ times.

• Wearing masks

Wearing a face covering is mandatory in shops and other enclosed spaces across the UK.

But not everyone can wear a mask. Unfortunately, we’ve read stories of people being ‘harassed’ or singled out when they have a genuine reason not to wear one.

Approaching people to ask them to wear a mask can be easier than it sounds. Not everyone reacts well to being told ‘what to do’.

Again, trained COVID support staff can help people understand the rules and how the wearing of a mask is essential in your shop or business.

Getting support to enforce the rules

These are rules that must be enforced. But it isn’t easy. People are anxious and uncertain and although they may not intend on causing a problem or breaking the rules, a simple request to put on a mask or leave an area, for example, can quickly escalate.

Our COVID support staff have a lot of customer-facing experience. They understand how to interact with customers, taking the pressure off your staff during these uncertain times. Our trained security staff have also improved behaviour at pubs and restaurants and are in demand, especially with the changes in closing times.

From marshals to car park and traffic management staff at test centres, to sanitiser distribution staff, contact us on 0844 800 0071 to find out more about how we can help you!