Key worker permit to end next month

July 15, 2021

A temporary parking permit for NHS health and care workers carrying out essential work during the Coronavirus pandemic will stop at the end of July. This follows the Government’s announcement that step 4 of the roadmap out of lockdown is going ahead.

The NHS and care workers parking permit was launched in May 2020 allowing all key workers carrying out essential work during the pandemic to park in all council-owned car parks and pay & display bays across the Borough for free. The permits were originally put in place for three months, but further restrictions and lockdowns meant the council extended the permit until all restrictions were lifted.

Following the Government announcement that the country will proceed with step 4 of the roadmap, the council’s cabinet member for transport, has given his thanks to all key workers for their monumental effort throughout the pandemic, whilst announcing the end of the temporary permit scheme.

Cllr Ron Woodley, cabinet member for transport, asset management and inward investment, said: “The Southend key worker permit has provided our key workers additional support throughout what has been an unprecedented 15 months. Over 4,000 permits have been issued since the launch of the permits in May last year and I am pleased they were an essential part in assisting those most critical in our recovery.

“The government withdrew the emergency parking pass guidance for Covid-19 health, care and volunteer workers parking pass on 21 June 2021, but we knew that the work was far from over, particularly whilst restrictions remained in place and so we once again extended the permit until the end of July.

“The Government has now confirmed step 4 of the roadmap is going ahead – which would not have been possible without the incredible effort of so many people – and so the key worker permits will no longer be valid from 1 August 2021.

“I would once again like to personally thank each and every person who has been involved in the fight against Coronavirus, from the frontline NHS and care workers to the postal workers and refuse collectors. Every one of you should be proud of how you have kept so many people safe and well.”