Two Tenby licensed premises have been issued with ‘Covid Improvement’ notices after being visited by Pembrokeshire County Council enforcement officers - with one subsequently hit with a £1,000 fine.

Following reports of eating and drinking indoors on March 20 which is currently prohibited under the Regulations, an investigation was undertaken by Pembrokeshire County Council following a visit by Dyfed-Powys Police at Tenby Sailing Club.

The premises was subsequently issued with a Fixed Penalty Notice of £1,000 for breaching coronavirus regulations.

“The offence was contrary to the Health Protection (Coronavirus Restrictions) (No.5) (Wales) Regulations 2020,” said a spokesperson for the Authority.

“The Fixed Penalty Notice was issued on March 31 2021 by Pembrokeshire County Council.

“The licensee may discharge liability to conviction for the offence if the penalty is paid within 28 days.”

On Saturday, March 27, the Hope and Anchor, licenced to sell takeaway drinks, were also reported by the Authority for failing to take reasonable measures to ensure that persons required to wait to enter the premises, were maintaining a distance of 2 metres, between 4.40 and 6 pm.

PCC has stated that the premises on this occasion, failed to control use of the area around the entrance; and specifically those immediate outdoor areas such as the window sills where gathering was occurring as using as a table for drinks; and providing or requiring use of personal protective equipment, namely the encouragement of wearing of face coverings whilst queuing.

The licensees of the public house have been told by the Authority that they are required to - Manage the queue for serving the takeaway food and drink, this includes ensuring those waiting have a distance of 2 metres between them (except between two members of the same household, or a carer and the person assisted by the carer) to prevent gathering at the entrance to the takeaway; encourage persons not to linger once the takeaway has been received to prevent this impacting the queuing system.

Since the start of the last lockdown in December the Public Protection Team and Covid Enforcement Officers at Pembrokeshire County Council have undertaken more than 1,100 proactive checks to ensure compliance with the Regulations and dealt with almost 500 queries for advice.  

“We’d like to thank the vast majority of Pembrokeshire businesses who are following the Regulations and playing their part in helping to prevent the spread of coronavirus across the county,” continued the spokesperson for PCC.

“We understand that this is a very challenging time for hospitality and our preference is always to engage and educate rather than enforce.”

Details of Covid improvement notices issued by PCC?can be found on the Authority’s website at: https://www.pembrokeshire.gov.uk/coronavirus-advice-and-guidance/covid-improvement-and-closure-notices