As a result of the current high rate of Covid-19 infections within our community the Local Authority in conjunction with Police colleagues has deployed Covid Advice and Enforcement Officers to ensure businesses and the general public are complying with the restrictions put in place to keep our communities safe. The Officers are uniformed and highly visible. They will be patrolling during the day time and evening to engage with individuals and businesses to provide advice and support to ensure that we can all be safe over the coming months.
Despite the recent news that a successful vaccine is being developed to combat the virus, it is important that we all continue to adhere to Government guidelines around minimising its spread over the Winter period. The Covid Advice and Enforcement Officers are carrying out proactive visits to various business including pubs, restaurants, cafes and hairdressers. They will ensure that businesses are implementing control measures that will keep the public safe and provide them with an environment that they can confidentially visit.
Many businesses in Blaenau Gwent have demonstrated an extraordinary effort in changing the way they work to comply with the measures necessary. The Local Authority will continue to work with all sectors to achieve compliance with the regulatory requirements. The Covid Advice and Enforcement Officers, Environmental Health and Trading Standards will continue to engage and advise businesses. However, where persistent and deliberate breaches of the law arise; the use of enforcement powers will be considered to keep us all safe.
Businesses are required to assess risks and implement “all reasonable measures” to protect staff and members of the public. The Local Authority has been granted new statutory powers this month to issue Premises Improvement Notices and Closure Notices for businesses which fail to comply with the law.
The Welsh Government has issued guidance on how businesses can comply with these requirements and it can be found on their website at https://gov.wales/taking-all-reasonable-measures-minimise-risk-exposure-coronavirus-workplaces-and-premises-open
Guidance on undertaking a risk assessment, a template to use, and advice on practical measures to take can be found at: https://www.hse.gov.uk/coronavirus/assets/docs/risk-assessment.pdf
Where it is necessary for your business full guidance on keeping track, trace and protect records, including retention times for contact information, can be found at https://gov.wales/keeping-records-staff-customers-and-visitors-test-trace-protect.
For further advice or to report concerns about businesses, contact Blaenau Gwent CBC, Public Protection on 01495 357813 or by email to: Environmental.Health@blaenau-gwent.gov.uk