Council carries out coronavirus inspections in pubs and clubs

A number of pubs and private member clubs have been inspected by Caerphilly County Borough Council to see if they have been complying with coronavirus regulations.

In total, 20 premises were inspected on Friday, July 17 and Saturday, July 18.

Pubs in Wales have been able to open outdoors since July 13.

Councils across Wales have been advising businesses on updated guidance from Welsh Government. Powers to enforce any non-compliance rest with the local authorities.

A council spokesperson said: “On these visits we were looking at measures implemented by premises following reopening and whether they had followed Welsh Government guidance in relation to conducting risk assessments to ensure safety of staff and patrons.”

During the inspections, names were taken for track and trace purposes.

Checks were made on whether contactless payment, plastic protective screens and one-way systems were in place and whether one-in one-out toilet systems were enforced, as well as whether hand sanitiser was available.

The council said that further visits are likely to be undertaken ahead of the proposed reopening of pubs, restaurants, bars and cafes indoors on August 3.

The council said it had “identified a small number of premises that had not completed a risk assessment or couldn’t produce one”.

However, the council said these premises had adopted social distancing and safety measures including a one-way system, increased cleaning regimes and plastic screens.