Council clamps down on coronavirus rule-breakers

Blackburn with Darwen Council has issued five fixed penalty notices for coronavirus-related offences following work by public protection officers this week.

Two takeaways in Blackburn have been issued fixed penalties for £1000 each for serving customers after 10pm, while two other premises in Blackburn and Darwen have received fixed penalties for £1000 for failing to serve food with alcohol.

All offences were contrary to The Health Protection (Coronavirus, Local COVID-19 Alert Level) (Very High) (England) Regulations 2020.

Any subsequent offences will see fines going up to £2000, £4000 then £10,000.

The businesses have 28 days to pay with no option for early payment.  Failure to pay will result in the case being reported for prosecution. An appeal process is available.

A further £1000 fixed penalty notice has been issued to a Blackburn barber who failed to record contacts for track and trace purposes as required by law.

This fine will be reduced to £500 if paid within 14 days.

Councillor Mohammed Khan, Leader of Blackburn with Darwen Council, said:

As tough as the restrictions may be, they are in place to keep us all safe and well during this unprecedented public health crisis. We have to take a hard line on any businesses flouting the rules and I hope these fines will make those involved think twice about doing something similar again.

My thanks to our Public Protection Team who are working incredibly hard. The majority of the businesses they visit to are adhering to the guidelines and I’m so grateful for their efforts.

To reduce the number of cases of coronavirus in our borough we have to work together, follow the restrictions and do our bit.