BUSINESSES in Basildon will be spot-checked to ensure that they are meeting the guidelines to ensure they remain Covid-secure.

Despite the news yesterday (Monday, 22 February) that the government has now laid out a roadmap for the easing of restrictions gradually over coming months – a move welcomed by South Basildon MP Stephen Metcalfe – Basildon Council says it will be working with the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) to contact businesses in the borough to make sure they are maintaining standards.

The council is also working alongside local public health authorities to support the understanding of any patterns in confirmed coronavirus cases in the area.

During the checks, advice and guidance is provided to manage risk and protect workers, customers and visitors but where some businesses are not managing this, we will take immediate action. This can range from the provision of specific advice, issuing enforcement notices, stopping certain work practices until they are made safe and, where businesses fail to comply, this could lead to prosecution.

Being COVID-secure means that businesses need to put adjustments in place to manage the risk and protect workers and others from coronavirus.

Leader of Basildon Council, Cllr Gavin Callaghan, said: "We are talking to local businesses and inspecting sites in and around Basildon to understand how they are managing risks in line with their specific business activity.

"Becoming COVID-secure needs to be the priority for all businesses in the borough, it is a legal duty for businesses to protect their workers and others from harm and this includes taking reasonable steps to control the risk and protect people from coronavirus. This means making business adjustments to become COVID-secure. We advise employers to work with their employees when implementing changes, to help increase confidence with workers, customers and the local community.

"All businesses are in scope for spot checks which means businesses of any size, in any sector can receive an unannounced check to ensure they are COVID-secure. By making sure that businesses have measures in place to manage the risks, we can benefit the health of the local community as well as support the local and national UK economy."

HSE and local authority inspectors are finding some common issues across a range of sectors that include: failing to provide arrangements for monitoring, supervising and maintaining social distancing, and failing to introduce an adequate cleaning regime particularly at busy times of the day.

For the latest information and safer business guidance, click here.

Meanwhile local MP Mr Metcalfe has delivered his verdict on Prime Minister Boris Johnson's announcements about easing lockdown yesterday, saying: "I am pleased that the Prime Minister has laid out what I am sure we all hope will be an irreversible path out of restrictions.

"The combination of our vaccine programme and adherence to the lockdown has meant we can now see a way forward.

"The last 12 months have been the toughest many of us have ever faced, but through our combined efforts, I am hopeful that by the end of spring, the world will look a lot more normal, with a bright light at the end of the tunnel."