Caerphilly Council is working to support businesses to operate within the new guidance and taking action against those who are found to be non-compliant.

Three businesses in Caerphilly county borough have been issued with a £1,000 Fixed Penalty Notice after breaching Covid Regulations.

Two of the businesses were situated in the Lower Rhymney Valley area; the first was a hand car wash business who was found to be operating normally, allowing customers to turn up without pre-booking. The second was a Public House, allowed to open to provide take away food and alcohol for consumption off the premises only. However, when officers entered the premises, customers were served with drinks which were then consumed on the premises.

The third FPN was issued to a 35 year old male in the Aber Valley area who was operating a barbers from a room above a Take Away food shop.

Welsh Government Restrictions state that at alert level 4 all shops and other types of businesses required to close, such as a hand car wash, can offer “click and collect” or similar services, all goods and services should be ordered in advance online, by telephone or mail order.

Premises such as pubs and restaurants are allowed to open for takeaway services only. Food and drink may not be consumed at the premises, physical distancing measures must be applied and customers and staff are required to wear a face covering.

Guidance also says that close-contact services such as barbers and hairdressers are prohibited to operate under Alert Level 4 Lockdown.

The Trading Standards, Licensing and Environmental Health Teams have been proactively visiting premises that are able to remain open under Alert Level 4 Lockdown and responding to reports of non-compliance which have increased significantly following the restrictions placed on Caerphilly county borough.

Enhanced powers have been awarded to local authority Public Protection services to take action against businesses and individuals found to be in breach of the law which could result in closure of premises and a fixed penalty notice being issued.

Cllr. Nigel George Cabinet Member with responsibility for Public Protection said, “We continue to support businesses who are currently able to remain operational to both understand and comply with the law, these rules are in place to protect both employees and the public. In this instance, the businesses in question were in clear breach of the law and we will continue to take action against those found to be non-compliant.”