Bailiffs will resume operations in England and Wales today after a five-month suspension to chase unpaid council tax and parking fines.

However, collectors have been warned not to shout at people to reduce the risk of spreading Covid-19.

The official government advice states that bailiffs should “avoid unduly raising their voice” because of “the potential for increased risk of transmission”.

They must also wear appropriate hygiene equipment when visiting households, such as visors and face masks, retain social distance on the doorstop and refrain from entering any homes to extract goods.

Russell Hamblin-Boone, chief executive of the Civil Enforcement Association, which represents bailiffs, said: “Councils face a deepening financial crisis because of increased costs and lost revenue during lockdown so it is important that civil enforcement work can resume to recover much needed funding for frontline services.

“Enforcement action is always a last resort by councils when other collection measures have failed and, even then, in half of all cases, an affordable payment plan is set up through emails or phone calls.”

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