"New Covid rules put in place at polling stations"

[dutchman]

A series of measures have been put in place



Coventry voters must follow a series of Covid-safe measures to cast their ballot in the local elections on May 6.

Residents will go to the polls on Thursday, May 6, to decide on who they want to represent them on the city council.

Numerous safety precautions have been put into place at local polling stations to ensure that they are all fully Covid-compliant.

Voters will be told to:

• Bring their own pen or pencil to the polling station if they can – however clean pencils will be provided at polling stations for those unable to
  
• Wear face coverings unless exempt
  
• Follow the usual social distancing rules
  
• Use hand sanitiser to clean hands when entering and exiting polling stations

People are also being asked not to attend polling stations if they are self-isolating or have coronavirus symptoms.

Residents are also told to expect voting to take a little longer this year with queues out of the door likely and stations potentially having to close briefly during the day for cleaning.

While people don’t have to bring their poll card with them to vote, if they do, election staff will not be able to take this from them and dispose of it – so they will have to take it away.

Martin Reeves, Returning Officer for the Coventry local elections, said: “Elections teams here in Coventry and across the region have worked really hard to make sure that it is safe and secure to cast your vote this year.

“This has been done under incredibly challenging and arguably unique circumstances.

“Each and every polling station will be Covid-compliant, with teams on hand to ensure that social distancing is in place, the stations are well-ventilated and hand sanitiser is available.

“But we need people to do their bit and help as well. That means following the rules and thinking about when you vote as traditionally polling stations are busy at the beginning and end of the working day.

“Every vote really counts, so please don’t waste yours.”

Polling stations will be open from 7am to 10pm as normal on 6 May.

Almost 42,000 Coventry residents have registered to cast their vote by post this year, an increase of around 60% from the 26,400 when elections were last held in 2019.

[dutchman]

There were no signs of any voting preparations at our local polling station when I passed it late this evening!