Work begins to help businesses prepare to open with ‘COVID Confidence’

Teams of officers from Mid and East Antrim Borough Council (MEABC) have been out and about over the last week, distributing business support packs in our local towns and villages.

The innovative COVID Confidence Scheme has been designed to provide reassurance to businesses, customers and communities that that shops and businesses are safe to return to.

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

By adopting a focused, four-stage process, MEABC 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.

Distribution of practical support packs, made up of easy to understand COVID control guidance along with a COVID Self Assessment Checklist, began in earnest last week.

Council’s Environmental Health Officers will continue to be on hand to answer any queries from businesses and support them through the process.

Mayor of Mid and East Antrim, Councillor Peter Johnston, said: “The COVID Confidence Scheme sends a strong and clear message to all those who live, work and visit Mid and East Antrim: that our businesses are safe and secure, that all necessary steps to protect public health have been taken and that you will be guaranteed a warm welcome.

“I am pleased to see that the scheme is being rolled out, so that we can ensure our local businesses, particularly those which have had to close in line with the current two-week restrictions, are fully prepared for reopening.

“In the absence of a ‘zero Covid’ transmission rate or a vaccine to offer protection, we are all having to learn to co-exist with the virus while helping the businesses which make up our local economy to survive and thrive.”

More information on the scheme is available at www.midandeastantrim.gov.uk/covid-confidence-scheme while Council’s Environmental Health Team can be contacted at mea.envhealth@midandeastantrim.gov.uk

If any business was closed at the time Council's Teams were out and about, COVID Confidence Packs can be downloaded from the link above, or feel free to get in touch by email for further details.