THURROCK Council has defended its policy of opening up closed areas in community complexes across the borough for polling day next Thursday (6 May).

Last Saturday (24 April) Thurrock Nub News reported on concerns raised by residents at Lansbury Gardens OAP Complex, a sheltered home community in Tilbury, where the council will host a local election polling station.

The community hall at the complex has been closed because of Covid-19 on a bid to protect the vulnerable community that live on the complex.

In the wake of that story, a number of other residents at similar complexes across the borough contacted Thurrock Nub News to express similar concerns.

After several days of considering the issue, the council today (Thursday, 29 April) responded to Thurrock Nubs News questions about the policy.

An unattributed spokesperson for the council said: "Community halls were shut during the pandemic following government guidelines and to prevent mixing indoors. Mixing in an indoor environment is still not permitted, however, an exemption has been made for the purposes of polling.

"We understand concerns raised by residents but would like to reassure them that we have robust plans in place to ensure their safety on polling day.

"Specific COVID-19 risk assessments have been carried out for all polling stations and measures put in place to keep voters, residents and polling station staff safe on election day.

"Voters will wait outside polling stations in the fresh air including at Lansbury Gardens Community Hall and only enter a building one at a time when they are invited in to vote.

"The only facility that shares the same entrance lobby as the Lansbury Gardens Community Hall is the laundry room. If residents of the complex wish to use the laundry room on election day the voting queue will be held to ensure they have safe access and to avoid voters and residents being in the lobby at the same time.

"Covid marshals will be on hand to support this and offer advice on social distancing."

"When inside the building a face-covering must be worn unless the person entering is exempt. Enhanced cleaning of touchpoints will also take place throughout the day."