Rugby council's community wardens take on 'Covid marshal' responsibilities

Rugby council's leader said the wardens' main aim will be to give friendly advice on keeping safe
By Alex Green
Published 24th Sep 2020, 17:23 GMT
Updated 24th Sep 2020, 17:26 GMT
Rugby Borough Council community wardens RW6 and RW2 prepare to help residents and businesses enjoy a safe evening out.Rugby Borough Council community wardens RW6 and RW2 prepare to help residents and businesses enjoy a safe evening out.
Rugby Borough Council community wardens RW6 and RW2 prepare to help residents and businesses enjoy a safe evening out.

Rugby Borough Council’s community wardens will today, September 24, take on “Covid marshal” responsibilities as pubs and restaurants introduce further restrictions.

As of today all businesses in the hospitality sector must display a QR code for the NHS contact tracing app, close by 10pm and offer table service only.

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Customers and staff must wear a face covering except when sat at their tables, which must seat no more than six.

The government has encouraged local authorities to provide “Covid marshals” to help businesses and residents to remember the rules and keep to them as they enjoy a night out.

A spokesperson for Rugby council said: "The council’s community wardens are already known to licensed premises, are a familiar face in the town centre and in parks and open spaces around the borough and are well placed to take on this role.

"The team will work alongside the Rugby First Rangers during the day and Rugby Street Pastors on weekend evenings, whose focus will be on resident welfare.

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"The police will remain responsible for dealing with any criminal behaviour."

Cllr Seb Lowe, Leader of Rugby Borough Council, said: “Our community wardens have a reputation for being a friendly, calming influence, and have been a great help to licensed premises by offering advice and guidance on being Covid secure.

“The wardens are able to issue fixed penalty notices for minor offences, but their focus first and foremost is on helping residents and businesses to do the right thing for Rugby.

“We know that residents want to enjoy a visit to the pub or to a restaurant without facing an army of enforcement officers – but we also know that keeping apart and wearing a mask can be forgotten through the evening.

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"We hope that a friendly reminder from our team will be all it takes to keep everyone safe and to keep our evening economy open for business.”

Rugby Borough Council’s community wardens have multi-disciplinary powers and responsibilities covering littering and environmental crime, antisocial behaviour and support for licensed and food premises.