The Health Protection (Coronavirus Restrictions) (No. 5) (Wales) Regulations 2020
https://businesswales.gov.wales/tourism/covid-19-frequently-asked-questions
Business Compliance
The vast majority of businesses are affected by the above Regulations. Some will be required to close while others must comply with physical distancing rules. The Welsh Government website provides more information on who is affected.
Businesses must have regard to guidance issued by the Welsh Ministers about reasonable measures to be taken to ensure physical distancing. This guidance can be found below:
https://gov.wales/taking-all-reasonable-measures-maintain-physical-distancing-workplace
Flintshire County Council has set up a dedicated phone number and e-mail address should businesses require advice relating to the Regulations, or if anyone (members of the public or the business community) has concerns that a business is not complying with the Regulations.
The contact details are:
Health and Safety at Work 1974 - Compliance in respect to Coronavirus
Complying with Public Health Wales advice will in general ensure compliance with the general duties under Sections 2 & 3 of the above legislation (which now includes measures around physical distancing, washing hands regularly with soap; to clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces, etc).
The Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 require businesses to now also consider the risk from Coronavirus to employees and members of the public. For further advice and guidance www.hse.gov.uk or alternatively contact Flintshire’s Health and Safety Enforcement Team using the following e-mail: health.safety@flintshire.gov.uk
Key Worker Accommodation
The Regulations are clear that all holiday accommodation should remain closed until further notice, unless specifically exempt or requested and approved by the Welsh Government or local council.
Any accommodation provider in Flintshire wanting to offer accommodation to key workers must seek authorisation from the Council by completing and submitting a Key Worker Accommodation Request form. Any business already providing accommodation to key workers should notify the Council as soon as possible, using the same e-mail address.
Under no circumstances should any holiday accommodation be provided for visitors during the current emergency period. Any person or business found not to be complying will be committing an offence.
If you are a business who requires authorisation please complete the on-line registration form using the following link.
Alternatively, you can e-mail: covidaccommodation@flintshire.gov.uk.
Guidance for people running holiday accommodation has been published by the Welsh Government. It covers hotel, guest and self-catering accommodation:
Footpaths and Rights of Way
The Regulations also refer to public footpaths and rights of way. A full list of public footpath closures can be found by following the link below:
https://www.flintshire.gov.uk/en/Resident/Streetscene/Public-rights-of-way.aspx
Should you have any concerns or queries please contact our Rights of Way team.
Their details are:
Improvement Notices and Closure Notices issued under the Health Protection (Coronavirus Restrictions) (No 2) (Wales) Regulations 2020:
Premises Improvement Notice: Clive Barber Shop Shotton
Other Useful Information
Food Safety
If you run a food business that has changed to operate as a takeaway or delivery service, Food Standards Agency guidance is available at:
https://www.food.gov.uk/business-guidance/food-safety-for-food-delivery
https://www.food.gov.uk/business-guidance/distance-selling-mail-order-and-delivery
If you would like any further advice, please contact our Food Safety and Food Standards team at:Email: food.safety@flintshire.gov.ukPhone: 01352 703390
Scams
Please be vigilant for scams during these challenging times.
Trading Standards are warning residents to be wary of Covid 19 related scams. There have been many such scams reported already, but if you receive an email or text related to Covid 19 that requests any personal details, or banking details even if it purports to come from a Government Agency please ignore it. Government agencies will not ask you for this information in this way.
Assistance in the fight against phishing emails has now come from the Government’s GCHQ intelligence agency.
The National Cyber Security Centre, a branch of the intelligence agency, has launched the suspicious email reporting service with a simple request of the public: forward any dubious emails to report@phishing.gov.uk, and the NCSC’s automated scanning system will check for scam emails and immediately remove criminal sites.
‘Text’ scams and reports of scammers going door to door should still be reported to Trading Standards at either trading.standards@flintshire.gov.uk or by phoning 0808 223 1133 for the English service or 0808 223 1144 for the Welsh Service and warnings will be posted on this site and through social media.
Further guidance is available at:
https://www.gov.uk/government/news/be-vigilant-against-coronavirus-scams