Four business in Reading have been told to cease activity during the lockdown by the council due to suspected breaches of Covid lockdown restrictions.
Reading Borough Council (RBC) issued prohibition orders to several businesses last month, including car wash companies, having been granted Covid enforcement powers by the government.
The council has conducted 600 visits and has not so far issued any fines, or enforcement notices, but has instructed businesses to stop trading until they are made safe.
READ MORE: Here's how many people have tested positive for coronavirus at the University of Reading
A spokesman for the council said: “To date, although we haven’t issued any fines, we have taken enforcement action against businesses in our area suspected of breaching the lockdown restrictions. “Four prohibition orders have been issued – these act as an instruction to cease a business or activity.
“The businesses include car-washing services. We continue to proactively visit local businesses.”
Having completed over 600 visits, the council is now working with the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) to contact more businesses in Reading and make sure they are COVID-secure.
During the checks, RBC provides advice and guidance to manage risk and protect workers, customers and visitors but where some businesses are not managing this, the council says it will take immediate action.
This can range from the provision of specific advice, issuing enforcement notices, stopping certain work practices until they are made safe and, where businesses fail to comply, this could lead to prosecution.
The lockdown started on November 5 and ends tomorrow, on Wednesday, December 2.
All non-essential shops and retail have been closed during this period along with pubs, bars, cafes and entertainment venues, although hospitality venues such as pubs and restaurants have been able to provide takeaway and delivery services.
READ MORE: Reading placed in Covid tier 2: what you can and cannot do
From December 2, Reading will be in Tier 2, with new restrictions in place, which you can read more about by clicking the above link.
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