Officers from Rushcliffe Borough Council’s Environmental Health team are enforcing the closure of non-essential businesses and helping to advise those adapting to takeaway food models, in line with advice from central government.
The authority’s officers have been working closely with local partners, such as Nottinghamshire County Council’s Trading Standards and Nottinghamshire Police, to help takeaway and delivery food services run as normal, whilst ensuring non-essential businesses remain closed as necessary.
The government has increased measures to prevent the further spread of coronavirus by calling on all non-essential businesses and venues to close, with certain exceptions.
The following businesses are now required to cease selling food or drink for consumption on the premises:
- Restaurants, including restaurants and dining rooms in hotels or members clubs.
- Cafes, including workplace canteens, but not including:
- cafes or canteens at a hospital, care home or school;
- prison and military canteens;
- services providing food or drink to the homeless.
- Bars, including bars in hotels or members’ clubs.
These businesses and other non-essential venues must close as they involve prolonged close social contact, which increases the chances of coronavirus spreading.
Rushcliffe Borough Council’s Cabinet Portfolio Holder for Environment and Safety, Cllr Rob Inglis praised the ongoing work of Environmental Health Officers and reminded businesses to follow government guidance.
He said: “During this challenging and unprecedented time, it’s ever more important that we all work together to support our local businesses and ensure that only those essential premises remain open to help prevent the spread of coronavirus.
“Takeaway and delivery facilities can remain open and operational, meaning people can continue to enter premises to access takeaway services, including delivery drivers, but they should be careful to follow social distancing precautions.
“All non-essential businesses should now be closed and our teams are prepared to work closely with the police and local partners to investigate anywhere ignoring this guidance.”
The authority has confirmed that planning regulation will be changed to enable restaurants, cafes and pubs which do not currently offer delivery and hot food takeaway to do so.
Those venues offering takeaway or delivery services must not include alcoholic beverages in this list if their license does not already permit these sales.
Any reports of businesses not following the appropriate guidance should be made to the council’s Customer Services team on 0115 981 99 11 or by emailing [email protected]
Reports of individuals failing to follow guidance on social distancing should be made to Nottinghamshire Police by calling 101 or visiting www.nottinghamshire.police.uk/do-it-online