Powys County Council says it will act on intelligence reports that some local supermarkets and other businesses are not following the current guidelines on controlling numbers, social distancing and taking contact details.
The regional authority said that its “period of tolerance” is over as businesses should now be used to complying with the new regulatory requirements introduced post-Covid-19 lockdown.
And with cases creeping up this week, particularly in the Welshpool area, the council also said that businesses like pubs, restaurants and hairdressers all have a requirement to ask for their customers’ contact details for contact tracing purposes to help stop the spread of the virus.
In a press release, the council reiterated that “the businesses are expected to record a full name, telephone number and the date and time of a customer visit and retain this information securely for 21 days”.
Cllr James Evans, Cabinet Member for Economy, Housing and Regulatory Services, said: “Powys businesses have made a huge effort to keep customers safe and I want to personally thank them for their cooperation. With that being said, we are receiving a small number of reports of non-compliant premises and the council will not hesitate to use its enforcement powers to issue improvement and closure notices if necessary.
“Our Trading Standards and Licensing Team are working closely with the police and other partner organisations at this time and are closely monitoring compliance levels within in Powys.
“We are also receiving intelligence of some alleged problems at supermarkets and we are working with them to make sure they comply.
“Overcrowded premises and social distancing not being complied with pose a big risk to public health through risk of spreading Covid-19 this is simply unacceptable. We are urging businesses to be vigilant, to maintain social distancing, and to record the details of customers so that we can all move forward and overcome this virus.
“The council is here to help, so if businesses need assistance or are unsure of what guidance applies to them please check the website and get in touch.”
Welshpool has returned to the Covid-19 spotlight following an increase in cases in the town over the past week. This is the third known outbreak in the town since March and authorities have this time dispatched a mobile testing unit to try and stop the spread.
For help and advice please visit https://en.powys.gov.uk/coronavirus/helpforbusinesses