Covid Marshals In Place Until 2023?

[mushroom25]

notwithstanding easing of lockdown by June, local authorities are tendering for provision of Covid Marshals throughout 2022 and possibly into 2023

https://www.watfordobserver.co.uk/news/19263639.herts-covid-marshals-recruitment-stretching-2022/

the link focuses on Hertfordshire but they're not the only authority doing this - Blackburn, Darwen and Antrim among other areas mentioned. Hertfordshire have (though) issued a statement on their intentions:-

https://www.hertfordshire.gov.uk/about-the-council/news/news-archive/statement-on-the-provision-of-covid-marshals-from-july-2021

From their own link, Hertfordshire say the provision of marshals "is not indicative of any increases in restrictions", and that they are "working towards restrictions being eased by 21 June"; it's difficult to understand what "compliance" these marshals are going to be encouraging.

Do we really need an army of peak-hatted jobsworths pushing us around and telling us what to do?

[ToraToraTora]

gawd that's all we need another bunch of jobsworths with power to annoy the public.

[youngmafbog]

I'm afraid the Government, especially Hancock, are not going to relinquish their new found control over us until we force it from them.

Some just love it too much and it cascades down from the top.

[lankeela]

Yet there are 1000 people attending a business event in Liverpool without any masks or social distancing. Doesn't make any sense as I am struggling with a local authority to run a dog show outside for about 50 people - full covid compliant but having to jump through hoops.

[THECORBYLOON]

The event in Liverpool to-day is part if the Government's pilot scheme and folk will be tested before and after the event.

https://eventsbase.co.uk/details-of-uks-first-post-lockdown-in-person-business-event-revealed/

[ToraToraTora]

"full covid compliant but having to jump through hoops." - you or the dogs Lanks?

[bluemoon1]

Agree with youngmafbog, that's the way it's going to be for some time.

[New Judge]

The government will have a job on its hands.

They have had considerable problems enforcing the multitude of Covid laws during the last year. If the "Covid Marshals" are being employed to encourage (and perhaps enforce) what is merely guidance, many people will tell them to go forth and multiply. The population has been shoved around for the last year under the threat of fixed penalties or criminal prosecutions. If the government thinks they are going to continue to be bossed about by jobsworths employed by the local authorities they may be in for a surprise. Councils should be devising ways of removing all the unnecessary street furniture they have put in place so that people can go about their business as normally as possible, not squandering their council taxpayers' hard-earned with "Marshals". "Compliance" is going to be sadly lacking when it's being encouraged "just in case."

[burlyshirley]

I have never once seen a covid marshal ..

[andy-hughes]

lankeela - // Doesn't make any sense as I am struggling with a local authority to run a dog show outside for about 50 people - full covid compliant but having to jump through hoops. //

Is that you, or the dogs?

Sorry, it just made me laugh!!

[andy-hughes]

I become even firmly convinced of my view that coalesced last year - that by the end of June, society will have assimilated Covid in the same way that it assimilates flu.

It's nasty, we can vaccinate against it, it will kill some people, but the rest of us will simply accept that it is there, and get on with our lives.

The notion of 'marshalls' seems an utterly redundant and pointless exercise - who would want such a thankless and pointless task is a mystery.

[Canary42]

/// who would want such a thankless and pointless task is a mystery.///

Traffic Wardens possibly ;-)

[teacake44]

Who would want a thankless, pointless task? The same ones has the shops have been using throughout, young teenagers desperate for a job at the minimum wage, and will no doubt take all the abuse. Some dick head in the council will more than likely come up with the idea of pinning a silver star to their high vis jacket, and a gold star if you last more than a month.

[andy-hughes]

Canary - // who would want such a thankless and pointless task is a mystery.///

Traffic Wardens possibly ;-) //

I was thinking about traffic wardens as I typed my answer, but the difference is, they are actually upholding laws which motorists are supposed to know and adhere to, and their actions are designed to prevent congestion and keep traffic moving, so on that basis, they are justified in their employment and actions.

The same cannot be said for the nonsense of 'Covid marshalls'.

[THECORBYLOON]

Are the Marshalls not actually upholding laws which shoppers are supposed to know and adhere to and their actions are designed to prevent transmission of COVID-19?

[mushroom25]

// laws which shoppers are supposed to know //

do you what stipulations are enshrined in law, and which are no more than guidance? for instance, can you find "2 metres" in anything published in regulations?

[THECORBYLOON]

I was thinking more along the need to wear a face covering unless there is a reasonable excuse. I might be wrong but I think the Welsh Regs have or had reference to the two metre distance but I will have a look.

[THECORBYLOON]

https://www.wrexham.gov.uk/service/covid-19-novel-coronavirus-information/covid-19-keeping-your-distance-shops-now-legal

[THECORBYLOON]

In Scotland,
https://www.gov.scot/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-calculating-physical-distancing-capacity-in-public-settings/pages/non-domestic-premises/#currentposition

"We recognise that many premises have already worked hard to ensure appropriate distancing is in place. Indeed many are already working closely with local regulators to ensure that their premises are adjusted as effectively as possible to manage the risk posed by COVID. There is no change to the requirements within the regulations for businesses and service providers to take measures making it possible to maintain physical distancing. Appropriate distancing has always been required since the beginning of the pandemic and where premises have fully considered distancing in line with their sectoral guidance, taking into account their unique situation this guidance is not designed to supersede this."

[New Judge]

//Are the Marshalls not actually upholding laws which shoppers are supposed to know and adhere to and their actions are designed to prevent transmission of COVID-19?//

The problem is, Corby, that for the individual there is no law which compels them to remain 2m apart. From the Welsh article you posted:

[business are] "...required to ‘take all reasonable measures to ensure that a distance of two metres is maintained between any persons on the business premises.’ The businesses must also ensure that persons are only admitted to their premises in sufficiently small numbers to ensure that the required distance is maintained, and to also take all reasonable measures to ensure that those waiting outside also keep two metres apart."

Businesses must take all reasonable measures to facilitate the 2m distancing. They must take all reasonable measures to ensure that it is maintained. But there is no law which compels people to remain 2m apart. If I see my mate in Tesco's and I decide to go up and shake his hand, there is no law preventing this. There are no "reasonable measures" which supermarket staff, a "Covid Marshal" or even a warranted police officer can take to drag us apart. I might be asked to leave the premises and the police may be called to remove me if I refuse to go. But by then the "damage" has been done. The notion that people can be forcibly kept apart against their will is just utter nonsense. None of the Covid regulations relating to individuals make any provision for 2m distancing and "Covid Marshals" will be a bit of window dressing which local authorities will revel in organising.

[THECORBYLOON]

NJ the responsibility is not with the customer but "all reasonable measures" would allow the Marshall to have a discussion with the individual and ultimately the individual could be removed.