COUNCIL chiefs are urged fast food outlets to make sure they follow Government guidelines to keep themselves and customers safe.

Due to the coronavirus, the government has issued advice to owners on how to ensure social distancing takes place, especially when customers pick up their food from premises.

This includes:• No orders to be taken in person on the premises. You should put up a sign to let your customers know this.

• Orders should only be taken online or by telephone.

• Give your customers staggered collection times, and discourage them from entering the premises until their order is ready.

• Customers arriving without having already placed an order should be told to leave the premises, and to place their order by telephone or online. They can then return at a designated time for collection.

• Customers whose orders are ready should enter one at a time to collect orders and make payments.

• You should discourage crowding outside your premises. Where possible use queue management systems to maintain the advised two-metre separation.

Cllr Mike Freeman, Executive Member for Public Safety, Governance and Reform, said: “Takeaways can perform an important role in our communities, especially for our key workers but we want to ensure they are safe and that they offer a sensible and careful approach to customers.

“Above all, coronavirus cannot be allowed to spread so that the elderly and vulnerable people in our society remain safe.”

Residents who know of a takeaway not complying can forward details to licensing@trafford.gov.uk who will investigate.

You can view our full guide to food safety issues to consider if you are thinking about offering delivery or takeaway food on our Food safety advice webpage. If you need any further advice, please email environmental.health@trafford.gov.uk

You can also view the government's full updated guidance on the GOV.UK website.