More Police patrols and the introduction of COVID marshals could be the results of new funding to ensure compliance with restrictions.
The surge fund from Government, as previously reported by Island Echo, has provided £75,624 to the Isle of Wight Council to ensure people are complying with the new coronavirus restrictions such as social distancing and the rule of 6.
COVID marshals, which could be part of the proposals to secure compliance, would not have enforcement powers in the way police and environmental health officers do. Marshals can only advise or educate those who need it.
The guidance on the surge fund was given to local authorities at midnight on Thursday, which has meant the true extent of the measures has not yet been worked out by council officers.
Speaking at the first meeting of the local outbreak engagement board, Wendy Perera, the Isle of Wight Council’s assistant chief executive, said the teams would work together to look at the guidance and what comes next. She said:
“I think it is fair to say those marshals will be focusing on good practice and provide guidance to businesses.”
Guidance from government says the marshals can work with businesses on queue management, direct pedestrians and support social distancing in busy public areas.
More than £778,000 has been given to the Hampshire Police and Crime Commissioner, also under the surge fund, to help enforce coronavirus measures, which could see more patrols in town centres and providing support for the council. Specific measures will be down to each force.
Councillors continued to express concerns about indoor mixing during the winter and hoped COVID testing would be up to speed to avoid locking down the Island.
Responding to concerns, leader of the council, Cllr Dave Stewart, said if a person does not like the measures at any premises “then don’t go there”. He also encouraged people to download the track and trace app.
Cllr Gary Peace, cabinet member for community safety, said there would be training packages for the public, advising how events could happen and places continued to operate in a Covid-secure fashion. The tools will be uploaded to the council’s website soon.
I think we are definitely heading for a police state and the island will be the first
So true, whatever happened to people’s rights!
Why did our Father’s and their Father’s go to War
So we would have our rights taken away from us!
Give them brown shirts then…parallels to 30`s Germany.
Waste of public money .
More money wasted they will have no power to enforce any of the rules which are mostly still only advisory anyway
Reduce our council tax rather than pay idiots
75k looks like they will be on minimum wage lucky marshals
Only a fool would do this job
Employment for the under-endowed social inadequates. They will enjoy getting a uniform and a little bit of power. Watch out.
They look like they have been Tango’d!
I’ll get my Hitler salute ready .
Yes there’s enough of those around already we don’t need any more
Once they come along their jobs will stay.
It will be like having TRAFFIC WARDENS patrolling people
WHAT IDIOT WOULD BECOME A MARSHALL!
How do I sign up