Local businesses are being reminded to follow the government’s COVID-19 rules at all times as we all try to help stop the spread of the virus, protect vulnerable people in our communities and support the NHS.

Ealing Council enforcement officers and COVID-19 stewards are working with the police to visit businesses in the borough to ensure that current restrictions are being followed. Officers attended more than 300 premises over the Christmas and New Year period.

While the vast majority of local businesses were seen to be acting responsibly and were fully compliant with current COVID-19 restrictions, a small minority saw action taken against them.

In total, 15 businesses were given formal instruction to improve their COVD-secure measures. Four business owners were served with prohibition notices where they had ignored requirements to close and had continued to allow customers to enter the premises in contravention of regulations. In addition, the police issued fixed penalty notices (FPN) to customers who had breached travel restrictions.

Officers and COVID-19 stewards are continuing to visit businesses across the borough to ensure that restrictions are followed. They are also responding to members of the public who have concerns that premises might be remaining open when they should be closed or are failing to follow COVID-secure guidelines.

As part of national lock down requirements that came into effect from on 6 January, certain businesses must close or severely restrict their activities as part of efforts to limit contacts between people to reduce the spread of coronavirus.

While many establishments must close, most businesses are permitted to carry on providing products or goods to customers via delivery or ‘click and collect’. Businesses operating in this way must not allow customers to enter the premises and if queues form, they must have safe procedures in place to manage social distancing.

The council will be taking a zero-tolerance approach to business owners that do not comply with the regulations and fines will be issues to businesses who refuse to follow them.

Further information on businesses permitted to open or must close can be found on the government webpages.

More information and detailed guidance on the national lockdown is available on the government’s coronavirus webpages.

Further guidance for retail businesses is available on the council’s Help for Business web pages.

Businesses can also email covid19businesscompliance@ealing.gov.uk  for further advice, guidance and bespoke support.

Residents who are  concerned a business in Ealing is ignoring the closure restrictions, can  notify us by emailing covid19businesscompliance@ealing.gov.uk.

The police enforce ‘stay at home’ rules and restrictions on gatherings. You can report these breaches to the police online or by calling 101.