Council and police help Central Bedfordshire communities stay Covid safe

Central Bedfordshire Council have been working with local businesses to ensure they are aware of the measures they need to take to ensure the safety of their customers.

With COVID-19 infections on the rise it’s important that businesses are COVID-19 secure, so council officers will be out and about in high streets and town centres across Central Bedfordshire with Bedfordshire Police this weekend to engage and advise on safety measures.

Any businesses seriously breaking the rules or, having already been advised, continue to break the rules will be fined.

Central Bedfordshire Council’s public protection team have been responding to complaints and information about businesses who are not complying. However, now there is a real need for everyone to stick to the rules to protect themselves and others.

In Central Bedfordshire, there were 43 new confirmed cases yesterday (Wednesday) bringing the total to 2,251.

The council are using the £112,886 of Government funding to ensure COVID-19 regulations are being complied with, by undertaking enforcement patrols and, if necessary, fining businesses that do not adhere to the rules in line with latest regulations.

Cllr Ian Dalgarno, executive member for community services said: “We currently have three prosecutions of businesses in process who, even after talking to them and explaining the rules did not follow the necessary procedures needed to keep their customers safe.

“Now is the time to get tough on businesses who are not taking the safety of their customers seriously.

"Most of our local businesses have worked really hard over recent months to make sure they are up to date with the latest guidance and protecting our health as much as possible.

"It is simply not acceptable for any business not to be complying with the rules now and we will, where appropriate issues fines to those flouting the rules.”

Chief Superintendent John Murphy from Bedfordshire Police said: “We all need to play our part in minimising social interaction to help stop the spread of this virus.

“Our officers will continue with the approach of engaging with both members of the public and local businesses to explain the rules and restrictions that are currently in place, but will take enforcement action where lawful directions are unheeded.”

Anyone who has concerns about businesses not complying with the measures set out, should email [email protected] and mark clearly as COVID Business Compliance. Reports will then be investigated by the appropriately delegated officers.