Pubs warned over Covid-19
BRIDGEND council and South Wales Police have threatened four pubs with closure over virus health and safety rules.
Statutory improvement notices were given to four pubs on September 25 for failing to comply with Covid-19 regulations.
BRIDGEND council and South Wales Police have threatened four pubs in the county borough with closure for breaching coronavirus health and safety rules.
Enforcement officers gave statutory improvement notices to four local pubs on Friday, September 25 for failing to comply with Covid-19 regulations.
Councillor Dhanisha Patel said: “We know the majority of businesses are complying with regulations and enforcement officers have no concerns at all about the measures in place at these premises. Where there were concerns over minor issues, advice and support was given.” She added: “In total, four improvement notices have been issued in the last few days and the enforcement team will be returning to ensure premises are complying with all necessary regulations. We will continue to monitor compliance and we encourage residents to contact us if they are concerned about any issues at licensed premises.”
The Royal Oak, Porthcawl was served a notice for failing to ensure a two-metre distance is kept between people on the premises. The pub on South Road was told to make sure customers are seated two metres apart if they are not from the same household.
The Marine on the Esplanade in Porthcawl was given a notice for failing to maintain social distancing guidelines and consistently use table service. The pub was instructed to limit close contact in toilets, maintain hygiene standards and make sure customers only use table service.
The Prince of Wales in Porthcawl was also served a notice instructing staff and customers to wear masks when entering and walking around the pub. Enforcement officers also told staff to turn down the music volume.
Coity Castle on Morfa
Street, Bridgend was given a notice due to social distancing concerns and for failing to inform customers and staff about how to lower the risk of coronavirus.
Premises that receive improvement notices are typically given 48 hours to meet the requirements set out by enforcement officers. If they fail to comply, they could be closed.
Welsh Government guidelines now require pub and restaurant owners to take all reasonable measures to ensure people who are on the premises or are waiting to go in to the premises maintain a two-metre gap.
They must also inform customers and staff about how to limit the risk of exposure to coronavirus and take other reasonable measures to reduce the risk of exposure.
This mainly consists of improving hygiene and limiting face-to-face interaction, especially when social distancing is not possible.