Enforcement notices issued to three businesses in Cornwall for breaking Covid rules
Cornwall Council has been carrying out inspections
Three businesses in Cornwall have been issued with enforcement notices for breaking Covid-19 rules.
Cornwall Council has said that it has been carrying out inspections on firms to check that all rules are being followed.
Rob Nolan, council Cabinet member for public protection, said that in the last full lockdown in March there had been just one enforcement notice issued.
He said that the council had visited 702 premises and found that 75% of them were compliant.
Cllr Nolan said that 170 had received warnings and that the three enforcement notices issued.
These were fixed penalty notices which businesses would have to pay through magistrates’ courts.
The Cabinet member pleaded with people to continue to follow the current lockdown guidelines.
He said: “Most people are doing their best to stay safe in these difficult times. But there are some people who think the rules don’t apply to them and some people are confused by the rules.”
Cllr Nolan said he had sympathy with this and particularly around how far people are allowed to travel for exercise.
He said he had watched the press briefing held by Home Secretary Priti Patel hoping to get clarification but said he “came away none the wiser”.
Cllr Nolan said that he had contacted Devon and Cornwall Police who said they would seek clarification from the Government.
He said that the police would deal with any people who were found to have travelled too far on a case by case basis.
The Truro councillor added: “Use your common sense, if you can exercise close to your home please do, stay in your town or village and you should all be staying in your primary residence.”
Cllr Nolan said the government guidance was clear and that people could not go on holiday or breaks during lockdown.
But he said that the council had no power to stop people coming into Cornwall and that it would be a police matter.
Cllr Nolan also said that the council had been contacted by people concerned about skate parks remaining open during lockdown.
He said that any large standalone skate parks should be closed but said smaller skate parks located within or next to parks could remain open but should have signage reminding people of the guidelines and social distancing.