"Secret shopper" spot checks have been carried out at supermarkets after a number of concerns were raised by members of the public.

Health and safety officers from Gravesham council visited 16 stores to see how Covid-19 precautions such as social distancing and the wearing of face coverings were being implemented.

The unannounced spot checks of national supermarket and store chains found all were complying with the rules.

Cllr John Burden, leader of Gravesham council, said: “Over the course of the pandemic there have been a number of concerns raised by the public over whether Covid restrictions are being enforced in some larger stores.

“Recently, government has reminded the major national chains of the need to make sure rules on things such as social distancing, the wearing of face masks and controls on the number of people in stores at any one time are being adhered to.

“We sent our health and safety officers out to observe what was going on in the stores of all the national chains in the borough, with instructions only to make themselves known to store managers if they observed any breaches taking place.

“I am pleased to say, no such breaches were observed during any of our 16 visits."

Throughout the pandemic the council has worked with Kent Police to ensure local businesses of all sizes are observing the restrictions and legislation in place at the time.

Since March, the council has handled more than 560 Covid-related complaints and inquiries, 71 of which were referred by the police.

Despite the large number, just 14 £1,000 Fixed Penalty Notices have been served on businesses found to be in breach of the regulations, all of which were takeaways and pubs. Three were withdrawn after further contact with the businesses concerned.

Officers continue to monitor activity across the borough out of hours to ensure businesses are playing their part in controlling the virus.

Only last week, we reported how officers had visited a barber shop in Northfleet amid fears the business was breaching Covid regulations.

Cllr Burden said: “The vast majority of our businesses have complied fully with whatever has been asked of them by government during this health crisis, no matter how tough that has been for them.

“Sadly, a few have not played by the rules.

“In the majority of those cases, a few well chosen words of advice have been enough to deal with any issues, but ourselves and Kent Police have been very clear that we will issue penalty charge notices to business owners who either do not take that advice on board, or who are more flagrant in their flouting of the Covid measures.

“I'm happy that this latest operation has shown the larger chains are making sure the rules are observed.

“This is unlikely to be the only programme of spot checks of its kind, so I would encourage owners of businesses of all shapes and sizes to make sure they are operating within the rules."

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