Pubs and businesses across Rhondda Cynon Taf are once again being told to follow the rules or face closure as TWO further PUBS and a BARBERS have been Served Notices in RCT.
The warning comes as Covid-19 figures continue to rise across Rhondda Cynon Taf. The tough stance taken by the Council aims to ensure that businesses help to keep visitors to their premises safe, by ensuring things like; social distancing is being maintained and that hand and cleaning sanitiser is available where appropriate.
Rhondda Cynon Taf Council’s Public Health and Protection team have been continuing their visits to all businesses across the County Borough and visited over 50 pubs this weekend. The team will now review the evidence and it is likely that further notices will be issued to any premises found to be contravening the guidelines and regulations in the coming days.
ONE Pub, The DeWinton in Tonypandy was found to be in severe breach of the Health Protection (Coronavirus Restrictions) (No. 2) (Wales) (Amendment) (No. 4) Regulations 2020 which came into force on 10 August 2020, to control, minimise and prevent the risk of exposure to COVID-19 and has now been closed (RED Notice) with immediate effect.
The DeWinton has now been given 168 hours (7 days) to resolve the measures identified and will remain closed until improvements are made. These included, but are not limited to; overcapacity, poor cleaning, no COVID-19 risk assessment and using cardboard shields at the bar.
The team have also identified issues at another RCT pub, The Patriot, Pontypridd and a Tonypany Barbers, BEST Cutz. Both premises have been issued with an Improvement Notice (Orange). During the visit officers found failings around social distancing, cleaning and not adhering to Covid-19 regulations. In addition, practitioners at BEST Cutz were found to not be wearing the correct PPE of a visor and a type 2 face mask, which is required for close contact services. These businesses will now be granted 48 hours to correct the issues that have been highlighted or further enforcement action will be considered, including the option to issue closure notices.
Today’s actions follow from SEVEN supermarkets being served Improvements Notices last week and a Closure Notice being issued to The Players Sports Bar, Pontypridd on Friday – which currently remains closed.
Rhondda Cynon Taf Council Leader, Councillor Andrew Morgan, said:
“Council officers have and will continue to carry out inspections to ensure that business in Rhondda Cynon Taf are operating safely and in line with Covid-19 regulations. Some of the breaches seen this weekend have been dangerous and I would urge businesses to please follow the guidelines that are in place. They are there to protect you, your staff and your customers – if you need advice then our officers are there to help and assist you.
“While businesses across Rhondda Cynon Taf are being asked to improve how they operate within Covid-19 regulations. Each and every one of us who use these premises have to follow the rules, take more care and remember to social distance, use hand sanitiser, and where a face mask or covering where appropriate and safe to do so. I would also like to remind the public that if they feel that a business, area, pub or premises are not complying, they should not enter or participate in the activity – we all have a personal responsibility to control the spread.
“As the recent events over the last week have shown us, the virus hasn’t gone away, but together by following the guidelines we can keep RCT and Wales safe.”
On Thursday last week, the Council called to residents to voluntarily take action to avoid a local lock-down, by following Enhanced Public Health Voluntary Actions for RCT. The additional actions included wearing a mask, working from home, only using public transport if essential. Further information on these actions can be found here.
