Businesses could be forced to close if they fail to follow coronavirus guidelines

Businesses in Wales could be forced to close if they fail to follow coronavirus guidelines, a Welsh Government minister has warned.

Speaking at Welsh Government’s daily coronavirus briefing yesterday (Tuesday, August 4), international relations minister Eluned Morgan said new powers would come into force this week.

Restaurants and pubs, which have been allowed to reopen indoors since Monday (August 3), are required to enforce social distancing and collect customer details as part of the track and trace system.

Under the new powers, councils in Wales will be able to give improvement notices to businesses that fail to comply with the rules.

Businesses that continue to ignore the measures after being issued a notice could then be ordered to close.

Mrs Morgan said: “We will take action to enforce the rules in Wales.

“Ignoring the legal requirements to minimise the risk of spreading coronavirus on premises cannot be an option.

“We’re working with local authorities, with environmental health officers, with the national park authorities and with the police to ensure that measures to keep us all safe are complied with.

“We also have enforcement powers which will allow us, local authorities and the police to take action if some peoples’ behaviours become a threat to other peoples’ health.

“Changes to those powers this week will mean that this includes closing premises if it’s necessary.”

Mrs Morgan added: “And we’ll also act on intelligence reported to the Wales TUC and its affiliated unions.

“Coronavirus has not gone away. Together, we must do all we can to keep Wales safe. And if we can do so, then we can also keep Wales open and vibrant in the months ahead.”