Hospitality venues breach covid rules in Great Yarmouth
They've been hit with enforcement notices
Great Yarmouth Borough Council is taking formal enforcement action against two hospitality venues for breaking covid rules.
To support the relaxation of restrictions from 12 April, the council has been visiting premises to provide advice and guidance.
Environmental Health Officers and Norfolk Constabulary are also undertaking targeted compliance visits to premises where there are reports of rules being broken.
Hospitality venues are allowed to serve people outdoors, although customers must order, eat and drink while seated. Wider social contact rules apply in all these settings to prevent indoor mixing between different households.
Though many premises are following the regulations to ensure the safety of their customers and staff, the council is serving Prohibition Notices against two hospitality venues for issues identified over the last week.
The main issues were a lack of social distancing, not serving customers at tables, and the use of outside covered areas which did not meet requirements.
Guidelines say that outdoor areas have to have at least 50 per cent of the area of their walls open at all times whilst in use.
Superintendent Nathan Clark, from Norfolk Police, said: "Many people have been playing their part and following the guidelines to keep each other safe.
"However, it was clear that there were some establishments and people who hadn't embraced the rules in the same spirit, and alongside our colleagues from the borough council, enforcement has taken place where it was proportionate to do so.
"We will continue to work alongside our partners, gathering and sharing information regarding breaches and taking action where appropriate."