-
Businesses who do not follow COVID-19
restrictions will be issued with prohibition
notices
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Businesses who fail to comply will receive fines
and could also face the loss of their alcohol
license
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There will be no upper limit to the fines of
businesses who continue to ignore restrictions
Local government will be responsible for enforcing
regulations requiring those businesses asked to close on 20
March 2020, in new guidance issued today, 22 March
2020.
Businesses including pubs, cinemas, theatres and casinos
were told to close from 21 March, as part of government
drive to reduce the spread of the virus, protect the NHS
and save lives.
Government confirmed today that Environmental Health and
Trading Standards officers, with police support if
appropriate, will work together to issue prohibition
notices challenging unsafe behaviours where businesses do
not follow these restrictions.
Environmental Health and Trading Standards officers will
monitor compliance, and businesses who fail to comply can
also receive fines. Continued non-compliance could then
lead to the loss of alcohol licenses.
Under the Business Closure regulations introduced on March
21, officers will have powers to prosecute for breach of
regulations.
Local Government Secretary Rt Hon
We recognise the pressure the emergency COVID-19
restrictions place on small businesses, which is why the
government has announced an unprecedented package of
support to help businesses and workers.
But we must follow the medical advice. That means staying
at home, protecting the NHS and saving lives.
So far we have seen this crisis bring out the best in us,
but some people are risking the safety of others by
failing to act on medical advice. People must do this
immediately to save people’s lives.
Business Secretary Rt Hon said:
I want to urge all businesses to look carefully at the
package of measures we have announced to help them
through this difficult time and allow them to comply with
new regulations.
- You can find the full guidance on enforcing certain
businesses to close here.
- The Government will ensure that local authorities are
funded for the new requirements as quickly as possible, in
line with the New Burdens doctrine.
- As of 2pm on 21 March 2020, these closures are
enforceable by law in England and Wales due to the threat
to public health. A business operating in contravention of
the Health Protection (Coronavirus, Business Closures)
Regulations 2020 will be committing an offence. As agreed
with the devolved administrations these measures will be
extended to Scotland and Northern Ireland by Ministerial
Direction once the Coronavirus Bill is in force.
