MORE than 50 council staff have been redeployed to help with Covid testing and vaccination efforts in Colchester.

Dozens of Colchester Council staff have taken up new roles since the third national lockdown began, helping with the area's Covid response.

Several staff are working as marshals at the new Covid vaccination centre at Colchester United's stadium as well as helping out as administrators.

Some are also working at the testing site for asymptomatic residents at Leisure World, in Cowdray Avenue.

Leader of the council Mark Cory visited the Jobserve Community Stadium on Thursday, thanking those working for their efforts and spending several hours volunteering himself.

He said: "Our staff, who always show exceptional commitment, continue to stretch themselves, often beyond their comfort zones, to help keep our most critical frontline services going.

“I was delighted to get the opportunity to see first-hand the excellent work some of our staff are doing to help co-ordinate support roles at the vaccination centre and to also be able to spend several hours volunteering myself, welcoming patients, checking them in and giving them guidance.

"Staff were incredibly positive – and the patients even more so.

"Unsurprisingly, everyone seemed happy and grateful to be there.

“The passion and professionalism of staff supporting our community throughout these exceptionally difficult times has been amazing and I am incredibly proud that we are now working alongside the NHS to support both the critical testing and vaccination programmes.”

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Council staff who have had their hours curbed due to Covid have taken on the new roles but many are also volunteering outside their normal working hours.

Business boss David King said: “Our staff continue to show a fantastic 'can do' attitude in supporting vital frontline services.

“They have been simply amazing in stepping up throughout the pandemic.

"From getting out invaluable financial support to businesses and those they employ, to helping the NHS and others get help to those most in need.

"It is great that they can make a difference, not just in the services we all expect and need, but in helping deliver vaccinations and Covid testing.

"It's great partnering work and we are proud of what they do now and every day.”

More about the vaccine programme can be found at sneevaccine.org.uk.