Council Teams on hand as COVID Confidence Scheme continues to roll out

You might have noticed our teams of staff out and about in recent weeks as they work to distribute business support packs in local towns and villages.

The innovative COVID Confidence Scheme, unique to Mid and East Antrim Borough Council, has been designed to provide reassurance to our businesses, customers and communities that shops and businesses are safe to return to when the current Coronavirus Restrictions end at midnight tonight.

We would ask all businesses who have received their COVID Self Assessment Checklist Questionnaire to have them ready for collection as our teams will be making their way around the borough this week and next.

Any business who hasn’t received one of the COVID Confidence Packs is asked to get in touch with us at mea.envhealth@midandeastantrim.gov.uk and we will arrange for one to be delivered to you.

Alternatively, the packs can also be downloaded here www.midandeastantrim.gov.uk/covid-confidence-scheme

Building on the support already provided through our Town Centre Recovery Group and Environmental Health Team, the COVID Confidence Scheme aims to offer long-term flexibility and security to business owners as we navigate the ongoing crisis.

By adopting a focused, four-stage process, Council will continue to support local economic recovery while at the same time respecting the public health controls needed to minimise community transmission of coronavirus and protect the health and wellbeing of our people.

So far, the response from businesses has been positive, with one small retailer telling us: “Thank you very much for your COVID Confidence Pack. This will be an added benefit as COVID health and safety is very important to us.”

Another retail outlet associated with a national brand, meanwhile, said of the scheme: “We understand the spirit behind the initiative … not all businesses will have the same resource as larger retailers so may need some support with understanding the measures they need to implement.”

Mayor of Mid and East Antrim, Councillor Peter Johnston, encouraged all businesses to get involved.

“I have been very pleased to see so many of our local businesses already engaging with the COVID Confidence Scheme, which is the first of its kind to be rolled out by a Northern Ireland local council”, the Mayor continued.

“As we look ahead to the reopening of all our businesses from midnight on Thursday 10 December, it is important that we give our support to them during the critical run-up to Christmas, while also mindful that all the necessary safety measures have been put in place to protect the health and wellbeing of our entire community.

“Our Environmental Health and Town Centre Development Teams are on hand to support our businesses right now, so I would encourage anyone who wishes to gain this important COVID Confidence mark for their premises to get in touch.”