New ‘Covid-ready’ scheme launched in Eastbourne

As the town begins to reopen, the new initiative is the only free scheme in the UK to cover all industry sectors from accommodation and restaurants, to shops, pubs, takeaways and open air markets too.

Supported by the European Regional Development Fund and East Sussex Primary Authority, including trading standards, environmental health and East Sussex Fire & Rescue Service, the scheme is accessible to all business sizes and will provide expert guidance on best practice for social distancing measures, cleaning regimes, staff training and rapid response for tackling any signs of infection quickly and effectively.

Launched by Eastbourne Hospitality Association in partnership with VisitEastbourne, the Chamber of Commerce and Eastbourne’s Business Improvement District, the scheme will see businesses across the town signing up online and declaring that all the latest guidance and control measures are in place.

All businesses self-certifying that they have met the necessary guidelines will be displaying the ‘Covid-Ready’ logo with a free window sticker and other branding – making them easily identifiable to the public and giving residents and visitors extra reassurance that their safety is priority.

Businesses will be supported by a Business Toolkit and can be inspected to ensure the highest standards are always met. Businesses will also feature within a Covid-Ready list of venues too.

EHA chair Mark Cotman said, “As Eastbourne prepares to welcome back visitors, we are all working together across the town to support our businesses with essential reopening guidance for the safety of all visitors, staff and residents too. Tourism is worth more than £500 million a year to our local economy, so it is important we take these steps very carefully, with robust safety planning to provide much needed reassurance and protect our industry.”

“These may be unprecedented times, but Eastbourne has taken bold steps and is leading the way as the first resort in the UK to provide a Primary Authority supported, multi-sector Covid Assurance scheme.”

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