Celebration of Environmental Health

World Environmental Health Day, 26 September, is set to recognise the vital role played by environmental health professionals around the world in responding to pandemics and ensuring the health and wellbeing of our communities.

At Darlington Borough Council, the Environmental Health (EH) team has had to adapt quickly in responding to the COVID 19 outbreak and, in many ways, has gone back to the roots of the profession in protecting public health against disease and infection.

During the first stages of lockdown, staff from EH enforced the Coronavirus Business Closures Regulations. More recently, they have been busy advising and working with businesses to ensure they are COVID secure and complying with government guidelines.

Throughout the pandemic months, the team has responded to 741 contacts from businesses and the public including requests for advice, investigating complaints of non-compliance and carrying out pro-active monitoring visits to premises. 

Councillor Alan Marshall, Darlington Borough Council’s cabinet member for economy, which includes Environmental Health, said:

 “Our Environmental Health team has built on existing working relationships with businesses within the borough and has been at the forefront of dealing with and enforcing the COVID regulations and assisting business in being COVID secure. Compliance by businesses in Darlington has been good but, where warnings have been ignored, enforcement action has been taken.

“I am delighted that they will be involved in our forthcoming Business Week where they will present a free online advice session for local businesses.”

Councillor Kevin Nicholson, Darlington Borough Council’s cabinet member for health and housing, added:

“This is a great opportunity to recognise the hard work and commitment of the Environmental Health team who have played their part, along with others in the council, to work through this pandemic, offering expert advice and support.

“Covid-19 continues to present us with more challenges. I know I can depend on this team and others to work together to keep Darlington residents as safe as possible.”

Businesses requiring advice on COVID compliance should contact Environmental Health on 405111 or by e-mail [email protected]. The free Business Week online session can be booked at https://www.investindarlington.co.uk/events/