Dorset Council recently sent out newly-recruited ‘COVID Marshals’ in Weymouth to help residents and businesses keep safe during the pandemic and current lockdown.
Working closely with Dorset-based company Event Security Southern LTD, the Council is using recently awarded government funding to fully train and deploy dedicated staff to work with the public and business owners in specific local areas to ensure they are “COVID-19 secure”.
Dorset Council has spent most of the year supporting local businesses with their COVID-19 secure guidance through telephone conversations and non-visible contact. These methods have been found to be effective and efficient, so this important work will continue.
The Marshals will help support these efforts by providing an effective ‘frontline’ presence that the Council hopes will increase public confidence when visiting Dorset’s high streets and town centres.
Last Thursday night (5 November), these Marshals were out in Weymouth’s harbourside and beachfront areas, as these have been reported as potential hotspots for congregation.
While the police and select council officers will continue to have enforcement powers, COVID Marshals have been tasked with engaging, explaining and encouraging best practice and national COVID-19 secure guidance.
The marshals will promote social distancing and encourage people to follow COVID-19 public health measures, while educating and explaining guidelines to businesses and the general public. They will work with local businesses on measures like queue management, advising on one-way systems and social distancing in queues.
The marshals will also remind people to wear face-coverings where required and encourage social distancing in busy areas. They can also help prevent mixing between groups in night-time economy areas, raising any issues to local authority compliance and enforcement officers if guidelines are not being followed.
While the Marshals are currently active in Weymouth, their operating area is flexible and Dorset Council can deploy them anywhere in the county where it is felt they are needed. They will continue to be active over the next few months.
Cllr. Jill Haynes, Dorset Council’s Portfolio Holder for Customer Services and Communities, said:
“Keeping up with the latest COVID-19 secure guidance can be challenging, and it’s important that we provide support in as many ways as possible. The Marshals will provide a visible presence on the ground in our town centres and high streets that demonstrates one of the approaches we’re taking to make sure our businesses and residents keep safe while the pandemic continues.
Whether it’s warning people not to congregate or providing advice and guidance to businesses as they operate, these Marshals have a vital role to play in bolstering public confidence and supporting our local economy.”
If Weymouth is anything like Gillingham, may I suggest your Marshalls start with the hoards of school CHILDREN who congregate in large numbers and in great proximity in car parks, having been dropped off by their mums and overwhelm supermarket queues ,buying Coke etc with absolutely no social distancing. I am talking of groups of 20,30 or more children, because that is only how they can be described.
im afraid these marshals just want an easy job , just wandering around , talking about the weather and football
telling off lots of kids would be too much !
Does anyone know the role of the ‘security marshalls’ who appear to have evolved from the previous laughable ‘covid marshalls’ recently? Are they still being funded by Central government out of taxpayers’ (ie our) taxes?
Local buses are being driven Around with closed windows and I have noticed people without masks or face coverings being allowed on board without being challenged. If they cant wear a mask why can’t they wear a visor, no face covering no ride.
Since when are mobile phone shops essential. Try walking down At Mary’s street below Gregg’s and two were open today. Why?