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Administrator
Press Release
BUSINESSES across Middlesbrough are being warned not to re-open or try to operate illegally before the Covid-19 restrictions are lifted.
The alert from Middlesbrough Council's Public Protection Service comes after two town centre businesses - a hairdressers and a barbers shop - were caught operating behind closed doors.
The Government's Roadmap out of lockdown has set out that retailers and services, including hairdressers and barbers, will be able to re-open on Monday, April 12 if the government's four tests to lifting restrictions are met.
Middlesbrough Council's Head of Public Protection Judith Hedgley said: "Until the coronavirus restrictions are changed and businesses such as those in the personal care sector can safely and legally re-open they must stay shut.
"These two businesses were clearly operating illegally by serving customers behind closed doors and with their shutters down.
"Complaints had been made to the Council from concerned members of the public who believed the businesses were still serving customers and risking the spread of Covid-19.
"Working in partnership with Cleveland Police our officers visited the businesses and caught them trading illegally, which has now resulted in each of them receiving £1,000 fixed penalty notices."
Cllr Dorothy Davison, Middlesbrough Council's Executive Member for Adult Social Care & Public Health said: "Although we are seeing a significant reduction in the rates of infection with Covid-19, there is still a significant risk of the disease being spread and leading to serious illness and deaths.
"It is highly irresponsible that businesses, especially those where staff and customers come into close contact, continue to operate while Coronavirus restrictions remain in place.
"The national Roadmap is in place to continue to protect public health and businesses must stay shut until they are legally allowed to open.
"The Council's Public Protection officers have, throughout this dreadful pandemic, continued to support businesses and help members of the public to stay safe.
"However, they have had to take enforcement action against a small number of businesses that have chosen to ignore the measures that are in place to keep us all safe.
"They will continue to support businesses to operate legally and follow the health protection measures that will need to be in place when businesses re-open."
BUSINESSES across Middlesbrough are being warned not to re-open or try to operate illegally before the Covid-19 restrictions are lifted.
The alert from Middlesbrough Council's Public Protection Service comes after two town centre businesses - a hairdressers and a barbers shop - were caught operating behind closed doors.
The Government's Roadmap out of lockdown has set out that retailers and services, including hairdressers and barbers, will be able to re-open on Monday, April 12 if the government's four tests to lifting restrictions are met.
Middlesbrough Council's Head of Public Protection Judith Hedgley said: "Until the coronavirus restrictions are changed and businesses such as those in the personal care sector can safely and legally re-open they must stay shut.
"These two businesses were clearly operating illegally by serving customers behind closed doors and with their shutters down.
"Complaints had been made to the Council from concerned members of the public who believed the businesses were still serving customers and risking the spread of Covid-19.
"Working in partnership with Cleveland Police our officers visited the businesses and caught them trading illegally, which has now resulted in each of them receiving £1,000 fixed penalty notices."
Cllr Dorothy Davison, Middlesbrough Council's Executive Member for Adult Social Care & Public Health said: "Although we are seeing a significant reduction in the rates of infection with Covid-19, there is still a significant risk of the disease being spread and leading to serious illness and deaths.
"It is highly irresponsible that businesses, especially those where staff and customers come into close contact, continue to operate while Coronavirus restrictions remain in place.
"The national Roadmap is in place to continue to protect public health and businesses must stay shut until they are legally allowed to open.
"The Council's Public Protection officers have, throughout this dreadful pandemic, continued to support businesses and help members of the public to stay safe.
"However, they have had to take enforcement action against a small number of businesses that have chosen to ignore the measures that are in place to keep us all safe.
"They will continue to support businesses to operate legally and follow the health protection measures that will need to be in place when businesses re-open."