Council reminds District’s hospitality businesses to support NHS Test & Trace

Horsham District Council is thanking local pubs, cafes and restaurants for their efforts in making their businesses COVID-secure and safe for residents of the district to visit, while reminding them that we must all continue to remain vigilant in suppressing the spread of the virus.

Fully adopting the Test and Trace measures will require robust procedures to ensure hospitality businesses are capturing the information they need to and the Council is recommending use of the official NHS COVID-19 App to achieve this. The new app is being launched nationwide on Thursday 24 September 2020.

Resources for businesses to help aid the roll-out of the app can be found on the NHS website: Information for organisations, or by scanning their QR code with your smart phone camera or QR reader app. This is similar to what customers will do when they visit establishments, as your business will have its own unique code displayed on custom-made posters, produced at no cost to you using the tools on the NHS COVID-19 website.

Horsham District Council Cabinet Member for Community Matters and Wellbeing Cllr Tricia Youtan said:

As a District we have all done very well so far in supporting COVID-19 government guidelines, and as a council we are extremely grateful for all the extra efforts our residents and businesses have gone to in preventing the spread of the virus.

“But at this crucial time, when we are wanting to avoid a second wave of the virus, I would ask that all our hospitality businesses support the NHS Test and Trace scheme, recording accurate contact details for guests who visit their establishments.

“At this stage we don’t want to have a situation where our hospitality businesses may have to close again which would have such a negative effect on people’s wellbeing and the local economy.”

Horsham District Council Cabinet Member for Community Matters and Wellbeing Cllr Tricia Youtan

In particular, it is being highlighted that due to an increase in infections in some parts of the country, a number of principles intended to prevent transmission – which businesses were previously encouraged to follow through guidance – are now becoming legal requirements and compliance with them is mandatory for everyone, even within Horsham District.

The focus on hospitality businesses comes as evidence shows that nationally the risk of transmission of COVD-19 is higher in these businesses compared to other industries, particularly where people gather indoors or in enclosed spaces.  This is particularly so in busy or noisy establishments where people may need to speak louder or shout as this increases the likelihood of infectious droplets spreading.

To this end, the Government has published updated and simplified COVID-Secure guidance available on their website: Working safely during coronavirus (COVID-19).

For further information you should contact the Council’s Environmental Health & Licensing team on 01403 215415 or email tham at publichealth.licensing@horsham.gov.uk.

For media queries please email press@horsham.gov.uk .