New Covid marshals working to keep Three Rivers safe

New Covid marshals will be operating around Three Rivers from later this week to help keep residents and businesses safe.

The marshals will be out and about across the district, supporting the community over the next few months, reminding people of the importance of social distancing, wearing face coverings and regularly washing their hands.

The marshals are funded from central government and will be easily recognisable because of their high-viz jackets. Although they do not have powers of enforcement, they will be able to report any issues to the council’s environmental health team, or the police.

Cllr Sarah Nelmes, Leader of Three Rivers District Council, said: “It’s excellent news that we are starting to see the national roll out of Covid vaccinations. In the meantime we must not be complacent so it’s essential that everybody continues to follow the basic rules. The Covid marshals will work closely with our partners to help keep people as safe as possible and infection rates down.”

Tim Hutchings, Cabinet Member for Public Health and Prevention at Hertfordshire County Council, said: “Covid marshals are performing a really valuable role in our communities, helping the general public and business owners to understand the latest guidelines and rules, as well as resolving problems when they can.

“I am delighted that we have been awarded funding, based on an area’s population, to appoint marshals to support local people and businesses as we all pull together to reduce the spread of the virus and hopefully return to the sort of lives we had before the pandemic.”

The COVID marshals work in partnership with the police whose ‘Operation Sunrise’ initiative includes a high-visibility presence in busy town centre hotspots as well as proactive patrols and reactive response where required.

Chief Superintendent Matt Nicholls, Gold Commander for Hertfordshire Constabulary’s response to Covid-19, said: "Under Operation Sunrise, we have lined up extra resources for dedicated patrols to be out and about, encouraging compliance with the coronavirus regulations in our communities.

“I thank the majority of people for doing the right thing and using face coverings, maintaining social distancing, following the ‘rule of six’ outdoors, and self-isolating where necessary.”