We have served fixed penalty notices on four hospitality premises for failing to adhere to the COVID-19 safety legislation in recent weeks.
Fines of up to £1000 are issued to those failing to follow the rules that are there to protect people from a potentially fatal infection. Further fines are being considered from last weekend’s visits, where there was little or no regard to the rules. Other premises have been visited with further support and advice given and there are further advice visits planned, to help businesses follow the rules and operate in a safe way.
In Tier 2 - which Torbay currently falls into - pubs and bars must close unless they are operating as restaurants. Hospitality venues can only serve alcohol with substantial table meals and venues must stop taking orders at 10pm and close by 11pm.
An easy to follow guide to infection control for pubs, cafes, and restaurants in Tier 2, with helpful guidance on test and trace, signage, distancing etc. is available on advice and support for food and drink businesses page.
The national Tier system is designed to prevent a return to growing infections and is due for review on 16 December. Areas that show a reduction in the spread of the virus could be placed in Tier 1, which has fewer restrictions.
Council Leader Steve Darling said: “Torbay Council will not tolerate premises putting their customers and staff at risk by not following the very clear rules on infection control for COVID-19.
“Our Environmental Health teams are out in force visiting premises across the Bay and are issuing fixed penalty notices of £1000 to all who fail to comply.
“Four premises have been fined; one of which has had its licence subsequently suspended following repeated offences, and our enforcement team tell me there may be more this week.
“It’s a last resort for the Council to fine businesses; as our hospitality trade is the backbone of our economy; but we will not compromise on safety.”
Deputy Council Leader, Darren Cowell said: “We recognise the severe pressures that our hospitality businesses are facing, and we continue to lobby for better support the sector.
“However we will strongly enforce the strict rules on safety to protect the public. We call on all businesses in the Bay to follow our infection control guide carefully so that we can bring down the spread of the virus and look forward to restrictions easing. ”
You can log concerns about a local business which is not following government guidance on Coronavirus on the report a concern or complaint page.
News archive
- December 2024 (3)
- November 2024 (27)
- October 2024 (21)
- September 2024 (17)
- August 2024 (7)
- July 2024 (24)
- June 2024 (8)
- May 2024 (25)
- April 2024 (19)
- March 2024 (17)
- February 2024 (16)
- January 2024 (14)
- December 2023 (14)
- November 2023 (30)
- October 2023 (21)
- September 2023 (22)
- August 2023 (18)
- July 2023 (17)
- June 2023 (14)
- May 2023 (11)
- April 2023 (9)
- March 2023 (36)
- February 2023 (22)
- January 2023 (26)
- December 2022 (18)
- November 2022 (24)
- October 2022 (18)
- September 2022 (13)
- August 2022 (15)
- July 2022 (22)
- June 2022 (14)
- May 2022 (35)
- April 2022 (23)
- March 2022 (32)
- February 2022 (18)
- January 2022 (14)
- December 2021 (22)
- November 2021 (22)
- October 2021 (25)
- September 2021 (23)
- August 2021 (18)
- July 2021 (26)
- June 2021 (24)
- May 2021 (21)
- April 2021 (21)
- March 2021 (33)
- February 2021 (30)
- January 2021 (27)
- December 2020 (24)
- November 2020 (37)
- October 2020 (29)
- September 2020 (27)
- August 2020 (22)
- July 2020 (37)
- June 2020 (38)
- May 2020 (39)
- April 2020 (36)
- March 2020 (22)
- February 2020 (10)
- January 2020 (18)
- December 2019 (7)
- November 2019 (11)
- October 2019 (15)
- September 2019 (16)
- August 2019 (8)
- July 2019 (9)
- June 2019 (7)
- May 2019 (16)
- April 2019 (11)
- March 2019 (11)
- February 2019 (7)
- January 2019 (11)
- December 2018 (11)
- November 2018 (14)
- October 2018 (14)
- September 2018 (9)
- August 2018 (7)
- July 2018 (19)
- June 2018 (21)
- May 2018 (7)
- April 2018 (10)
- March 2018 (35)
- February 2018 (9)
- January 2018 (15)
- December 2017 (9)
- November 2017 (17)
- October 2017 (11)
- September 2017 (6)
- August 2017 (7)
- July 2017 (13)
- June 2017 (22)
- May 2017 (16)
- April 2017 (8)
- March 2017 (9)
- February 2017 (9)
- January 2017 (4)
- December 2016 (10)
- November 2016 (11)
- October 2016 (14)
- September 2016 (9)
- August 2016 (10)
- July 2016 (11)
- June 2016 (4)
- May 2016 (20)
- April 2016 (14)
- March 2016 (18)
- February 2016 (8)
- January 2016 (15)
- December 2015 (13)
- November 2015 (19)
- October 2015 (17)
- September 2015 (8)
- August 2015 (6)
- July 2015 (19)
- June 2015 (11)
- May 2015 (20)
- April 2015 (14)
- March 2015 (15)
- February 2015 (13)
- January 2015 (17)
- December 2014 (17)
- November 2014 (18)
- October 2014 (14)
- September 2014 (17)
- August 2014 (16)
- July 2014 (10)
- June 2014 (8)
- May 2014 (1)
- February 2014 (1)
- January 0001 (1)