North Tyneside Council is committed to supporting the hospitality trade to reopen safely from tomorrow (Saturday 4 July) as part of the work to recover from coronavirus in North Tyneside.
Central to our recovery plan for the borough is to support local businesses to enable economic recovery and growth. The hospitality trade has been hit hard and from this Saturday it will be able to reopen, providing premises adhere to COVID Secure guidelines.
Government guidance on how to open these premises safely while minimising the risk of spreading covid-19 has now been published here.
The hospitality trade will have an important role to play in stopping the spread of Coronavirus in North Tyneside. Social distancing and good hygiene continue to be really important measures to prevent people from becoming ill with Covid 19.
The Council have developed a Covid-19 outbreak control plan and we need the support of all our residents, businesses and communities to prevent a spike in cases here in North Tyneside.
Employers have a legal responsibility to protect workers and visitors to their premises from risk to their health and safety. They must make sure the health and safety risk assessment for their business is suitable and enough to adequately address the risks of COVID-19, using the guidance to inform decisions and control measures. Th risk assessment will help decide whether they have done everything they need to.
Once a risk assessment has been completed, and businesses believe they can open safely, they can apply for a FREE poster pack which includes the Covid-Secure poster and a special poster for businesses here.
Routine and intelligence-led compliance checks will be undertaken by Council Officers over the coming weeks in order to ensure businesses are operating responsibly and in line with current government guidance. Businesses should be aware that should non-compliance be found enforcement action may be taken under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974, Licensing Act 2003 or any other relevant legislation.
John Sparkes, Head of Regeneration & Economic Development, said: "We'd like to thank businesses for their co-operation and patience – it’s important we all do our bit to help ensure North Tyneside continues to recover from this crisis and emerges stronger as a result."
