Further restrictions for businesses announced by Government

The Government has introduced new rules for many business sectors in a bid to control the coronavirus pandemic.

Many of the new restrictions are in place under local rules introduced into the borough this week (from Tuesday 22^nd September) but new national rules have also been introduced.

The new national restrictions announced by Prime Minister Boris Johnson on Tuesday, September 22^nd come into force across England on Thursday, September 24th.

Public Protection officers will be carrying out visits to businesses across Blackburn with Darwen to make sure they are following the new restrictions.

The regulations mean:

• Nightclubs, dance halls and discotheques must remain closed.

The following businesses must not open between 10pm and 5am:

• Restaurants, including restaurants and dining rooms in hotels or members’ clubs,
• Businesses offering food or drink for consumption off the premises,
• Cafes, including workplace canteens, but not including cafes or canteens at a hospital, care home or school and services providing food or drink to the homeless. (Workplace canteens may remain open where there is no practical alternative for staff at that workplace to obtain food.)
• Bars, including bars in hotels or members’ clubs
• Public houses and social clubs
• Casinos
• Bowling alleys
• Cinemas
• Theatres
• Amusement arcades or other indoor leisure centres or facilities
• Funfairs (indoors or outdoors), theme parks and adventure parks and activities
• Bingo halls
• Concert halls

However, businesses selling food or drink for consumption off the premises can make deliveries between 10pm and 5am. The deliveries must be in response to orders received:

• Though a website, or otherwise by on-line communication
• By telephone, including orders by text message

During the opening hours permitted (i.e. not between 10pm and 5am), licensed premises including restaurants, cafes, bars, public houses and social clubs may sell food or drink for consumption on the premises only if it is served to customers sitting at a table.

Any area adjacent to the premises of the these business where seating is made available for customers is to be treated as part of the premises of that business

Councillor Phil Riley, Executive Member for Growth and Development, said:

I know these further restrictions will have an effect on businesses in Blackburn with Darwen, especially in hospitality, which have had to deal with so many changes in the last six months.

We do not want to see any more difficulties for our businesses but it is vital we all do the right thing and get on top of this virus. As ever, we are steadfast in our support for all businesses in the borough and will carry on doing whatever we can to help them during this incredibly challenging time.”

Some further details on the changes can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/coronavirus-covid-19-what-has-changed-22-september