Praise for keeping Covid safe throughout pandemic

Pubs and restaurants – and their customers – have been praised for staying Covid safe ahead of the festive season.

As multi-agency enforcement evenings across the district take place, Coun Richard Sweeting, Chairman of Selby District Council’s licensing committee has praised the way licensed premises have responded to the Covid regulations and the partnership work that has been taking place to keep customers safe.

Coun Sweeting said: “I am very supportive of all of the officers involved in the multi-agency enforcement nights taking place over Christmas and New Year.

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“We are committed to taking action to keep our residents safe and secure and we will take the necessary enforcement action if we need to.

“We’ve already issued two fixed penalty notices for covid breaches as a direct result of these enforcement evenings.

“Our licencing officers have worked tirelessly throughout the pandemic and I am so impressed with how the licensed premises within the district have adapted, sometimes at short notice to the new Covid regulations imposed on them.

“This year has been challenging for everyone, and businesses have been hit hard, particularly licensed premises.

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“The work that we can do to help these premises, promote good practice and public safety is a win for both the public and premises and I am keen to see this work continue until we are all able to resume our normal lives again.”

Working across multiple evenings, council officers and police licensing teams have been and will continue to carry out high visibility patrols, visiting licensed premises to offer support and guidance to follow the Covid restrictions.

The key message is to ‘have fun but please do it safely and responsibly’. Throughout the pandemic, licencing has played a key role carrying out spot checks on premises.

The operation, organised by the Safer Selby Community Partnership, is supported by new Covid night marshals funded by Selby District Council to support the police over the Christmas period.

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Martin Wedgwood, Police Inspector for the Selby district explained: “Licencing is always an important part of policing but especially at Christmas.

“This year is even more challenging due to Covid rules and these multi-agency action evenings will reassure landlords and their staff they are getting it right for their customers and themselves, helping everyone be Covid safe.

“The Covid marshals will also be on regular patrol to offer support and remind people to keep Covid safe and will be a great addition to the team over Christmas and new Year.”

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