New Covid safe scheme launches to help businesses and reassure residents

The scheme, launched by Horsham District Council aims to help businesses trade safely and reassure residents that it is safe to go out and about in the run up to Christmas.

The council’s community safety wardens and environmental health officers will be visiting town centres and villages over the coming weeks to reinforce the Prime Minister’s message to remain cautious over the festive season.

The aim is to engage with the public and visit local businesses to check that they have the necessary Covid controls in place to operate safely.

The move comes amid the council’s Buy Local initiatives, backed by our own #supportlocal campaign, which are focused on supporting purchasing from local independent business across the board online or offline, on the high street or off it.

Horsham District Council cabinet member for community matters and wellbeing councillor Tricia Youtan said: “The run up to Christmas is undoubtedly going to be very busy for the retail and hospitality sector.

“With Christmas only weeks away, shoppers will be anxious to get their shopping done in time for the big day. We want to ensure the experience is as safe as possible for people in our district’s towns and villages.”

In addition to helping businesses with the ever changing Covid guidelines, especially as the Horsham District now enters Tier 2, the initiative will also provide residents and visitors with the reassurance that they can return to our high street’s shops, bars, pubs, cafes, restaurants and other venues safely, to boost the local economy, a council spokeswoman said.

She added: “Businesses will be assessed against key areas of Government Covid guidelines which apply to their specific sector.”

She said they will include Covid risk assessments covering infection control, social distancing, contact recording and staff training.

The visits are not intended to be punitive but to reinforce the national public health messages through advising businesses on good practice, the spokeswoman said.

Some of the areas council officers will be visiting are Billingshurst, Storrington, Henfield, Steyning, Horsham town centre and Southwater.

Mrs Youtan added: “It’s been a tough time for our local businesses coming out of a second lockdown and now entering Tier 2 restrictions.

“They need all the help on offer to help them interpret new guidelines and trade safely.

“This initiative will help ensure that businesses which are open to the public are Covid secure, limiting the risk of transmission to both customers and staff.

“Both the public and businesses have a role to play to stop the increase of infection rates.”