Covid marshals are now becoming a regular sight in town centres across Hertfordshire including Hitchin as councils join forces in the battle to reduce infection rates.

The marshals role is to help people and businesses better understand and keep to the national guidance which is ultimately in place to keep everyone safe, and they will be out and about supporting and advising communities for several months.

Made possible through funding from central government, the marshals will be reminding people of the importance of social distancing, wearing face-coverings and regularly washing their hands, among a range of duties aimed at helping people feel as confident and comfortable as they can in public areas.

The marshals, who will be easily recognisable because of their high-viz jackets, do not have powers of enforcement. However, they are able to report any issues to a district or borough councilâs environmental health team, or the police when needed, to investigate further.

The number of marshals working, as well as the times they are on duty, in a district or borough may vary, and will be reviewed regularly to make sure they are able to be as effective as possible.

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. They are also briefed to provide help in resolving problems when they can.

"I am delighted that we have been awarded funding, based on an areas 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."

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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 of Hertfordshire Constabulary's response to Covid, 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.

"Each week, Covid marshals and police speak to hundreds of people in businesses and to members of the public, with police taking enforcement action for flagrant breaches, and this has included dealing with a number of house parties across the county."