What is the role of Covid Marshalls now?

[Geminijust]

Was in Central London yesterday afternoon/evening - South Bank then Covent Garden/Leicester Square area. I never seen London so busy in my life. Crowds everywhere, pubs & restaurants packed and spilling out onto the pavement (most now have outside tables), large groups socialising together. I'm not complaining at all btw, it was a lovely atmosphere and I had a great time.

I couldn't help notice a number of Covid marshalls standing around and was left wondering what they were actually supposed to be marshaling, given that nothing that was going on is actually illegal anymore?? From what I saw they weren't doing anything, just chatting and laughing amongst themselves. I was tempted to ask them but didn't want to be rude!!

Same for track and trace, no idea 🤷‍♀️

I’m in a northern city. The covid marshalls are still doing what they previously did: standing around chatting (not distanced) wearing high viz jackets that say “keep 2m apart” on the back.

In other cities, did the marshalls ever do anything when there were things for them to marshall?

I'm surprised they are still about. Not that I have ever met any around here.

Not just me then! Watched 3 of them for a considerable time from our restaurant window and couldn't figure out what their purpose was - other than showing each other stuff on their phones and laughing! Nice job!

I've never heard of them! Shows how much I get out

Covid Marshalls always did nothing and were useless so nothing different probably

Wow, I do go out quite a lot in central London and I have never seen a covid Marshall. What are they even for?! 🤣

@IsabellesMissingSock, I'd not really seen before yesterday. This was in Soho, quite a few of them there. Maybe it was their leaving do

They were out in force in Norwich this week. Three of them, leaning on a street corner, with coffees in their hands. My friend and I were having a coffee and watching them out the cafe window. They didn’t move or interact with anyone in the hour and fifteen minutes that we were there. Lovely job if you can get it. There are still lots of Covid Marshall jobs being advertised on sites like Indeed. £10.50 a day to do nothing.

[quote Geminijust]@IsabellesMissingSock, I'd not really seen before yesterday. This was in Soho, quite a few of them there. Maybe it was their leaving do [/quote]
Haha! I was out in Soho on Wed. Maybe Wednesdays are their evening off 🤣

Nope, I've definitely seen them in Soho of a weekday evening! They used to stand outside Hammersmith Broadway in bunches, wearing masks under their noses. Oops, don't I sound snarky?

@SilverGlitterBaubles

Same for track and trace, no idea 🤷‍♀️

No, I think the postal service is still quite busy

I told track and trace that I'd notified everyone I needed to and they didn't call back. So obviously they are also winding down.

This was yesterday so post 16th Aug.

@SilverGlitterBaubles

We're busier at Test and Trace. We still have to call every contact named by a positive case (of which there are lots more - think might clubs, house parties, pubs). Each call we need to establish vaccine status - if fully vaccinated or under 18 we still gave to go through data protection, verify details, symptoms lists, advice, guidance and support. This can entail arranging employer exemption letters, arranging healthcare workers' PCR tests. Recommending day 2 and day 8 tests and advising how and where to book. Advising on precautions to take in the home and to use common sense when out and about - no meeting up with elderly or going into hospitals etc.

And if not double vaccinated we need to so the self isolation for 10 days spiel as usual.

The changes have made each call and typing up notes etc way more labour intensive.

I didn't know they actually ever recruited any!

The ones in my city used to shout at you if you were not keeping to the right when you walked up/down our pedestrianised high street. Other than that they just hung around in groups chatting. Haven't seen any for weeks, although there were adverts recruiting them on local jobsites up until a couple of weeks ago, way after restrictions were lifted. I have no clue why!

I don't think we've ever had a Covid marshall in Scotland. What a total waste of time, given that MN was full of people desperate to snitch on their neighbours for free.

I think they've been redeployed in my areas as the door knockers to check you are in your house and isolating.

Fuckers.

Leicester Square had private security prior to Covid so maybe they are the same people and will go back to their previous roles. I was also in London last week and it was brilliantly normal. Loads of people at the O2 and Canary Wharf looked quite normal too…people walking around in suits so some workers have definitely gone back to the office!