Businesses face fines of up to £10k for breaking COVID-19 rules
UK firms working in the hospitality sector face the prospect of being hit with penalties of up to £10,000 for breaking social distancing rules. It is a part of the 10 pm curfew that was introduced last week in a bid to contain COVID-19 infections.
Law enforcers up and down the country have already begun handing out fines. Three businesses in Yorkshire were hit with £1,000 fines last weekend for breaking social-distancing rules. Others have seen similar penalties in other parts of the country as the government clamps down on rule-breakers with instant impacts.
The threat of financial and legal ramifications is a major worry for businesses in the hospitality arena. Not least because it is a sector that has been hit harder than most throughout the pandemic. Back in June, the Office for National Statistics confirmed that food and beverage services sales plummeted 83.4 percent. Even August’s ‘Eat Out To Help Out’ scheme has done little to help the industry recover. The curfew is another blow for companies in this field, particularly for those that are already trying to innovate in the face of COVID-19.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson has also stated that repeat and severe offenders that do not meet the guidelines may face closure. This includes the use of face coverings, capacity limitations, and antibacterial cleaning. As well as Track and Trace systems. Bosses have also been advised not to stop employees from self-isolating when symptoms surface.
With Britain now in recession for the first time since 2008, the hospitality sector isn’t the only industry in trouble. GDP fell by 20.4 percent in Q2 of 2020. Meanwhile, the threat of a second lockdown looms large in several major cities throughout the country as cases continue to rise. Cases are creeping towards half-a-million while UK deaths now stand at over 42,000.
In addition to businesses, residents face bigger punishments than before. For example, spot fines now up to £100 while repeat offenders can be fined up to £3,200. This has coincided with a growth in police presence patrolling the streets. It includes Police Community Support Officers. Both visible officers and those wearing casual and tactical wear.
As companies and citizens look to do their part, that presence is only set to grow further heading into the final months of 2020 and into 2021. Firms specialising in casual and tactical ware, such as Galactic Bioware by Philip Kingston are inundated with orders. The spike comes from around the world, not least in the UK. PCSO’s are given the power to break up groups committing social distancing offences and target businesses that do not obey the rules.
Citizens and businesses are also encouraged to call the police when a business ignores distancing measures. This is so that the situations can be dealt with fast. The efficient handling of social distance breaches in public spaces is deemed an integral part of slowing the R rate.
It’s already an immensely difficult time for businesses in hospitality. Nonetheless, the guidelines are clear and must be adhered to with immediate results. Otherwise, the financial implications could spell disaster.