Leader of the Council, Cllr Russ Bowden and Chief Executive, Professor Steven Broomhead MBE, are reminding residents to take care this weekend, in light of the continued high number of coronavirus cases in the town.
Warrington, which was officially designated a ‘high risk’ local COVID alert area earlier this week, has seen consistently high case numbers of coronavirus, and residents must take extra caution this weekend if they are going into the town centre and other busy public areas of the borough.
An increased support presence in town
Over the weekend, COVID community support officers will be deployed throughout the town centre, including the Stadium Quarter, Riverside Retail Park, Cockhedge and Golden Square shopping centres, to provide additional support to businesses. The community support officers will be on hand to offer guidance, check compliance levels and offer support for coronavirus-related issues that need addressing. They will be wearing identification, and will be introducing themselves to premises throughout the town.
Alongside the COVID community support officers, the council’s public protection team will be accompanied by Cheshire Police patrols to support and inspect other businesses, including takeaways, to ensure that all of the appropriate COVID-secure measures are in place, to protect staff and customers. There will also be a COVID business support officer presence at the town’s railway stations, bus station and hospitality sector within the town centre.
Follow the guidance and restrictions
Leader of the Council, Cllr Russ Bowden, said: “The new guidance and restrictions in place throughout Warrington – and the wider Cheshire region – are to help us drive down the number of cases of coronavirus. In Warrington, in particular, case numbers have remained stubbornly high – and we need to balance the social and wellbeing needs of our residents with taking every possible precaution to reduce the risk of transmission.
“Remember – you can only mix in your household or support bubble in public indoor settings like restaurants, so please follow this restriction. The hospitality sector in Warrington has worked extremely hard to put in place the appropriate COVID-secure measures to keep us all as safe as possible, so please do your bit by following the guidance and restrictions currently in place.”
Professor Broomhead MBE added: “Our COVID community support officers, in liaison with our public protection team and Cheshire Police, are being put in place to provide support for our businesses and residents. Please treat them with respect, and say hello if you see them – they are here to help us all to ensure we can continue to enjoy Warrington in as safe a manner as possible.
“Please also be mindful that there could be increased footfall in the town centre this weekend due to Merseyside being a “very high” risk area and pubs in the Liverpool City Region remaining closed. We are expecting that some people living in “very high” risk areas may be tempted into Warrington and other tier 2 regions. Please be extra cautious: maintain excellent hand hygiene, keep your distance from people not in your household, and don’t forget your face covering if you’re going out.”
The latest guidance and restrictions for Warrington can be found on the coronavirus pages.
