17 December 2020
A series of visits to bookmakers and betting shops was undertaken on 09 and 10 December to review the arrangements in place to minimise the transmission of COVID-19, taking into account the legal requirements imposed by the Health and Safety at Work (Jersey) Law 1989 (HSW Law), Government of Jersey public health guidance and industry best practice. The visits also provided the industry with an opportunity to discuss and provide feedback on their experiences of adapting to the COVID-19 Winter Strategy.
The initiative
To help assess compliance with the changes to the public health guidance that came into force on 4 December a total of 18 different bookmakers and betting shops were visited. Particular attention was given to the requirement for a COVID risk assessment and plan, setting out how the risks to staff and customers were being controlled, to be available; the measures in place to support 2 metre physical distancing; managing the legal requirements relating to the wearing of mask/ nose and mouth coverings, and cleaning and hygiene arrangements.
Findings
Most premises were able to produce a COVID-19 risk assessment and plan.
- The arrangements to support 2m physical distancing were generally good, and included:
- limiting the number of customers allowed on the premises at any one time, with the maximum occupancy clearly displayed on the entrance door
- good signage throughout the premises
- reducing or spacing out of seats
- taking gaming machines out of use to maximise the distance between users
- installing Perspex screens between machines, and at service counters
- there was good compliance with the mandatory wearing of facemasks by staff and customers seen, with feedback that customers were typically complying without the need for staff to prompt
- provision of suitable hand sanitiser was generally good and readily available to both staff and customers
- whilst all premises described having an enhanced cleaning regime, including of frequent touch points, it was identified that this was typically carried out on an ad-hoc basis, which was dependent on the number of staff available and number of customers present. There are concerns that this was likely to result in lower standards of cleaning being achieved when the risks and need was highest
- in most establishments serving of beverages had been suspended
- single use pens provided in approximately half of the premises
It is noted that these visits took place during a time when there were no major races or sporting events taking place. As we move towards the busy festive period, and Boxing Day in particular, the essential need for every business to regularly review and assess how it will manage the likely increase in customers to ensure that the appropriate mitigating measures to minimise transmission are maintained throughout, has been highlighted.
It is anticipated that, in many cases, this is likely require additional steps such as increasing staff numbers to assist with enhanced cleaning and encouraging distancing, limiting the time a customer can spend in the shop, removing or further reducing seating, choosing which events will be televised live etc.
Further information
Government of Jersey public health guidance for businesses during the COVID-19 Winter Strategy is available.
The UK Betting and Gambling Council has also published best practice guidance which may provide additional helpful advice on mitigating the risk of transmission within this sector.
Betting shops:compliance with COVID-19 secure guidelines
gov.je