Tewkesbury Borough Council and Gloucestershire Constabulary have teamed up to help hospitality businesses stay covid-secure over the bank holiday.

Environmental health officers and neighbourhood policing teams have had a regular presence across Tewkesbury Borough, checking in on cafes, bars and restaurants to make sure they have the right safety measures in place to minimise the spread of COVID-19.

So far, officers have generally been extremely pleased with the level of compliance across the borough, but with the potential for an increase in custom over the bank holiday weekend, the team is keen to remind business owners of their obligations to follow government guidance, helping to avoid a surge in local cases of Covid-19 and a potential second wave of the virus.

Kath Stent, interim environmental health manager, said: "Although some restrictions have been relaxed, socially distancing from others is still a hugely important part of the fight against Covid-19. Some may be considering a get-together with friends and family this weekend, but please remember that we still need to keep to just two households meeting up indoors and up to six people from different households outdoors.

"If you do visit a café, bar or restaurant, remember to wash your hands regularly, and keep two metres apart from others. When shopping, if you are able to, please cover your face."

"I would also urge hospitality businesses to continue their good work in supporting the national track-and-trace system by keeping a record of all who visit their premises."

Councillor Jim Mason, Tewkesbury Borough Council's lead member for clean and green environment, said: "It's great to see our environmental health officers working with the police to help business owners navigate thorough new government guidance to become covid-secure.

"I want to thank Tewkesbury Borough businesses and residents for adapting to the changes so well in order to keep us all as safe as possible. I hope we can continue to follow the important guidance over the bank holiday and for as long as it is needed to keep the threat of a second wave at bay."