The COVID-19 stewards have begun visiting Ealing’s high streets and town centres to give advice to businesses and residents about COVID-19 rules, helping to keep Ealing safe and reduce the spread of the virus.

The stewards will remind and encourage people to follow the COVID-19 public health measures such as adhering to social distancing, wearing face coverings where required, and avoiding social mixing. They will also hand-out face coverings and hand gel to those who do not have them.

The COVID-19 stewards will provide advice to businesses around managing queueing arrangements and other requirements for those who are permitted to remain open for services such as take-aways and click and collect.

The stewards will help the council to identify areas of concern including businesses who are not following guidelines and may require additional support. Where necessary, they will also refer matters to the relevant authorities for enforcement.

The stewards will be visiting locations across the borough focusing on high footfall areas including shopping areas and transport hubs, as well as areas with high concentrations of hospitality businesses such as pubs, restaurants and takeaways.

Some shops have been ignoring or attempting to subvert the regulations by beginning to stock ‘essential’ products in the hope this will allow them to trade through the restricted period.

There have been particular issues with:

• Clothing stores and tailors
• Homeware stores
• Tobacco and vape shops
• Electronic goods and mobile phone shops

Councillor Joanna Camadoo-Rothwell, Ealing Council’s cabinet member for community safety and inclusion, said: "Our COVID-19 stewards will provide vital additional support to check that our businesses are not flouting the rules and are playing their part to protect the welfare of their staff and customers."

"We hope their presence will reassure residents that our high streets are safe to visit, when permitted, and remind everyone that we all need to work together to keep our community safe and reduce the number of people getting this virus."

The COVID-19 stewards will work on a rota to that covers day, night and weekend activity.