Stockport Council recognises how unbelievably hard it has been for businesses throughout 2020 and is asking for continued support to help keep Stockport safe and are encouraging feedback on how things have been working.
An update on the Coronavirus situation in Stockport
The seven-day rate of positive tests per 100,000 people in Stockport is falling. As of the week ending 27/11/20 it was 145 per 100,000. Whilst reassuring to see the numbers dropping, it should be noted that an infection rate above 50 per 100,000 is considered to be extremely high.
If rates continue to fall the restrictions we are required to live and work under may be reduced. All of us want this to be the case in Stockport. Stockport Council will do all we can to support local businesses to operate safely and also to inform the public about how to stay safe.
Guidance for close contact services
As Greater Manchester, including Stockport, enters Tier 3 restrictions, Stockport Council has shared guidelines and advice with local businesses which are reopening, in particular, those providing close contact services such as hairdressers and tattoo parlours in the borough. These are:
- People providing close contact services are required by law to wear a clear visor/goggles and a Type II face mask.
- A QR code must be displayed for use with the NHS Track and Trace app, with alternative arrangements to obtain contact details for customers without smart phones.
- All employers should carry out a Covid-19 risk assessment
- In the workplace, everyone should make every reasonable effort to comply with the social distancing guidelines set out by the government (2 metres, or 1 metre with mitigating actions in place)
- Other mitigating actions that can be considered to help protect staff and customers and reduce the risk of spreading Covid-19 include:
- Increasing frequency of hand washing and surface cleaning
- Keeping the activity time involved as short as possible
- Using screens or barriers to separate clients from one another
- Working from the back (behind the client) or from the side, regularly circling the client.
- Avoiding skin-to-skin contact and using gloves where possible
- Fixing which workers work together, if workers have to be in close proximity
A full version of what you are required to do can be found on the government website.
Share your feedback
Stockport Council officers will be visiting businesses across the borough to discuss how things are going. While officers will be unable to speak to every business owner, you can also share feedback by email. The Council’s Pandemic Response Team would like to know:
- Are you finding people are complying with the rules?
- Are you finding any challenges with ensuring your customers are following your safety measures?
- What do you and your customers think about the council messaging about Coronavirus – for example on social media? Can we improve this?
Further information about coronavirus including self-isolating, and how to report cases linked with a place of business is available form the Stockport Council website.