Council and police to enforce business closures

Powys County Council and Dyfed Powys Police are reminding businesses to comply with clear advice to shut unless they are ‘essential.'

The warning comes after the UK and Welsh Governments’ announcements that all non-essential businesses and premises must shut as of midnight on Monday, unless they fall under specific exceptions. These closures have been introduced due to the threat to public health from COVID-19.

Businesses are being reminded that it is their responsibility to check whether they must close or whether any of the limited exceptions may apply, and advised to check the government’s website for guidance and any information changes: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/further-businesses-and-premises-to-close

All businesses operating in contravention to the Government’s announcement will be committing an offence and putting the health of the public at risk by encouraging the spread of COVID-19. Environmental Health and Trading Standards Officers, with police support, will be actively monitoring compliance, and any business that breaches the closure will be subject to significant enforcement sanctions including Prohibition Notices and the penalty of unlimited fines.

County Councillor James Evans, Portfolio holder for Environmental Health and Trading Standards with Powys County Council commented: “These are unprecedented times and we need your support to reduce the threat to our Powys citizens and to our health services trying to deal with this awful virus.

“Please take heed of this advice and we want to work with you and need your support. We would also urge bed and breakfast providers and holiday accommodation providers to advise their customers to return to their main residence to reduce the burden on our services.”

A Dyfed Powys Police spokesperson added: “We will support Council colleagues to get rid of this virus and prevent its spread and are a part of a package of measures the Police will deal with. All businesses must understand that breaches of these requirements cannot and will not be tolerated.”

The requirement to close will remain in operation until such time as the government believe there is enough evidence to support a relaxation in the restrictions and the Government is reviewing the situation in approximately three weeks’ time.

If anyone has any concerns regarding their business or a business operating when it should be closed, please contact the agencies as follows:

Powys trading Standards on trading.standards@powys.gov.uk

Environmental Health on environmental.health@powys.gov.uk

Dyfed Powys Police on 101