Covid marshals for Antrim and Newtownabbey town centres

Covid Aware Ambassadors will be present in the borough’s town centres “as a visible reminder” over this requirement and for the wearing of face coverings. a report to the council has stated.

Stencils are  being applied to pavements as a further reminder to adhere to social distancing.

Since the announcement of easing of Covid restrictions by the Northern Ireland Executive, council officers have been distributing 250 PPE packs to retail and close contact services.

As part of the council’s Recovery Programme, 65 town centre businesses will benefit from the installation of new awnings at a cost of £160,000 met by the Department for Communities to help them facilitate social distancing.

These will help businesses to expand floor space outdoors and provide shelter for queuing customers.

Antrim and Newtownabbey Mayor Councillor Jim Montgomery said: “This investment is a key driver in improving the regeneration of our towns by helping retailers to operate safely and sustaining our local businesses.

“The awnings will have a significant impact on improving safety whilst boosting public confidence in our town centres.”

Further consideration is to be given to the extension of the awnings scheme in the borough’s villages. Twenty-five hand sanitiser stations are to be purchased for rural business outlets.

Councillors were to consider music and street entertainment from May 1 when they met remotely on Monday evening.

Michelle Weir, Local Democracy Reporter

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Click here to read: Whiteabbey Nightingale stands down Covid-19 rehabilitation

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