District’s businesses looking after their customers

Most of the businesses selling food and drink in the Folkestone and Hythe district are following government measures to keep customers safe whilst trying to limit the spread of COVID-19.

Council officers have visited more than 300 premises to date advising how the measures should be implemented, including displaying the NHS Test and Trace QR code poster. Enforcement, community safety and licensing staff have also worked with Kent Police officers making checks on premises in the evenings and at weekends.

Only a few businesses have needed to be reminded about the government measures during the visits when officers have been making sure that:

• Venues close at 10pm when all customers must have left the premises. It is recommended that last orders of food and drink should be at 9.30pm. Take-away outlets can continue to deliver after 10pm but customers must not wait inside the business.
• The NHS QR code poster is displayed and an alternative way of obtaining customer contact details is in place for those who do not have a mobile phone.
• Face coverings are worn by staff and screens installed where appropriate.
• A maximum of six people are seated together at any time and food and drink is ordered at the table.

Councillor Stuart Peall, F&HDC’s Cabinet member for Enforcement, Regulatory Services, Waste and Building Control said: “Council staff and Kent Police officers are working to guide businesses and help their staff to understand and implement the government measures.

“It is welcome news that businesses are taking very seriously these necessary steps and training staff to make sure they are adhered to. We fully appreciate the additional work involved and we want to support our local businesses through this difficult time.

“As with anything new, there is a very small minority who do not fully appreciate why these measures have been brought in and are not fully complying. We do not want to have to resort to issuing fixed penalty notices but we will if that is the only way of persuading business owners that they must do all they can to protect their customers.”

For more information about the regulations go to gov.uk/government/news/coronavirus-covid-19-what-has-changed-22-september

Information about the NHS QR code poster can be found here gov.uk/create-coronavirus-qr-poster

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