Swansea Bar And Takeaways Closed After Breaking Covid 19 Rules

A Swansea bar and two takeaways have been ordered to temporarily close after it was found they had breached Covid 19 rules.

Spot checks were carried out at Noah's Yard in Uplands as well as at Chick-o-land and Swansea Kebabs on Wind Street.

The three will be closed for two weeks but are able to reopen sooner if they can show they've improved to the levels necessary to keep staff and customers safe.

Verve 37 in Uplands has also been served with an improvement notice. It has until Wednesday, 23rd September to improve or face potential further action.

A small number of premises have also been given informal advice short of an improvement notice on what they need to do to avoid further action. A further visit will be considered to check on progress.

Cllr David Hopkins, Cabinet Member for Delivery and Operations and Deputy Leader, said: "We told businesses that we would take firm action if they failed to comply with Welsh Government rules. Three businesses have failed to heed the warning and they are now closed.

"We are acting to keep the public safe. Many businesses in the city are doing the same thing, taking their responsibilities seriously and abiding by the rules. Those who don't abide by the rules put their communities at risk and that is unacceptable."

Cllr Hopkins said: "It is the responsibility of businesses to ensure that social distancing is maintained and their premises can be used in a way that is safe for customers and staff and minimises the potential for Covid-19 to spread."

"The number of Covid-19 cases is continuing to rise and the virus has not gone away. Neither businesses nor their customers can be allowed to flout the rules."

Cllr Hopkins said that the overall picture seen by the public health team in visits to hospitality premises showed most are doing their best to comply. There were also examples of good controls in place.

He said: "We all have to do all we can to avoid another lockdown in Swansea. The council is playing its part. It is vital that business and individuals take responsibility as well.

The action taken over the weekend by the council was carried out under the Welsh Government's Health Protection (Coronavirus Restrictions) (No. 2) (Wales)Regulations 2020.

Swansea Council has produced a new online form that people can use to report direct to the licensing and public health teams at the council if they have concerns about how a business is managing its responsibilities under Welsh Government law.

From last Monday it has been mandatory for people to wear a face covering in shops and other enclosed public spaces which include takeaway premises, taxi offices and taxi and private hire vehicles.

Those planning a visit to the hospitality sector in Swansea during the day or night will need to ensure that they have a face covering of their own to use when required.

Members of the public with concerns about a business can report it here: https://www.swansea.gov.uk/covid19breach