No enforcement action on covid business breaches

Some rules confusing

Businesses across Devon have by-and-large been compliant with the new covid rules introduced on 12 April as the country comes out of lockdown.

In step two of the roadmap, non-essential retail, personal care premises such as hairdressers and nail salons, outdoor hospitality venues, and self-contained accommodation such as campsites and holiday lets were able to reopen.

While a handful of complaints of businesses operating outside the new guidelines have been made to councils across Devon, no formal action has been taken against any businesses, with those spoken informally accepting errors that had been made, often due to confusion over the legislation.

One Airbnb flat was operating when it should not have been because it shared an entrance, stairwell and corridor with other residents, and as a result bookings until 17 May have been cancelled, while several outdoor shelters erected at pubs have had to be altered as they were not complying with a regulation limiting them to 50 per cent to qualify as outdoors.

A spokesman for East Devon District Council said: “On the whole most businesses are doing their utmost to comply. Where advice has been given, it has been accepted and there has been no need for any further measures or penalties.”

Janet Williams, Torridge District Council’s public health and housing manager said: “Around a dozen instances of potential rule infringements have been reported to the Council recently and our team of officers have investigated each one of these very quickly.

“Some issues regarding the ongoing requirement to keep to social distancing measures at outdoor venues and the wearing of appropriate masks have been highlighted. We have also investigated some concerns relating to holiday accommodation that have joint or shared access facilities. In each case, businesses have been cooperative, and agreed to modify their approach and control of customers and the virus levels are thankfully still very low in the area.

A spokesman for South Hams District Council said they had issued 16 outdoor seating licenses and two pavement licences to allow al fresco dining and we has not taken any [enforcement] action since 12 April.

A Mid Devon District Council spokesman said: “Where possible, we will try to work alongside businesses and provide covid-19 support and guidance for those who need it. Enforcement action is taken extremely seriously and taken only ever as a last resort. The decision on whether action is taken is also dependent on the nature of the breach in question. Whilst we have received complaints, we have yet to take any enforcement action against businesses following the new restrictions which came into force on 12 April.”

North Devon Council’s service lead for food safety and health & safety, Pam Charles, confirmed that they have had 11 complaints about businesses – four on outdoor shelters not complying with regulation of being ‘outdoors’, three on holiday accommodation being let, three other the lack of social distancing other Covid measures in licensed premises, and one on a barbershop have lack of face coverings and/or an appointment system.

All have been dealt with by informal action with visits, advice given, followed up to ensure future compliance, she said.