Premises Direction Notice issued on two businesses in Cardigan

The Health Protection (Coronavirus Restrictions) (Functions of Local Authorities etc.) (Wales) Regulations 2020 provides local authorities in Wales with powers to control premises, events and public places in their areas to help control coronavirus within their areas. This includes closing premises and public places and stopping events where necessary.

As a response to the serious and imminent threat to public health in the Cardigan area, Ceredigion County Council considers it is necessary and proportionate to exercise its powers under the above Regulations and issue Premises Directions to close the following premises:

• Red Lion Inn, Pwllhai, Cardigan, SA43 1DD
• Bell Hotel, 4 Pendre, Cardigan, SA43 1JL

Similar sanctions are also being considered in relation to a number of other premises in the county.

Ceredigion County Council in doing so considers that the relevant public health conditions as set out in the Regulations have been met and therefore we require the premises to be closed until such time as the public health conditions are no longer met.

The public health conditions are that:–

1. The direction is a response to a serious and imminent threat to public health,
2. The direction is necessary for the purpose of preventing, protecting against, controlling or providing a public health response to the incidence or spread of infection by coronavirus in the local authority’s area, and
3. The prohibitions, requirements or restrictions imposed by the direction are a proportionate means of achieving that purpose.

This Authority will review whether these public health conditions continue to be met in relation to the Direction at least once in the period of 7 days beginning on the day after the day the Direction is given, and at least once in every subsequent period of 7 days.

If, on review this Authority considers that the public health conditions are no longer met, we will revoke the Direction. This does not prevent us from revoking a Direction at any time if the authority considers that the public health conditions are no longer met in relation to the Direction.

Officers from the Public Protection Team in partnership with Dyfed-Powys Police are continuing to monitor and take action where necessary to ensure that all businesses and premises comply with COVID-19 regulations (Health Protection (Coronavirus Restrictions) (No. 4) (Wales) Regulations 2020) to control, minimise and prevent the risk of exposure to COVID-19.
Premises Improvement Notices and Premises Closure Notices have already been served on a number of other premises in Ceredigion following failures to comply with COVID-19 regulations for failing to maintain social distancing, keeping correct contact tracing records or staff failing to wear face coverings, etc.

The public are reminded that if they feel a business, area or premises are not complying, they should not enter or participate in the activity because we all have a personal responsibility to control the spread and help keep Ceredigion safe.

Coronavirus thrives on human contact. If we are to keep this virus under control, we all have to play our part to reduce infections.