We have issued two barber shops a total of five fixed penalty notices as a result of repeated and multiple breaches of the COVID-19 safety legislation.

Our environmental health officers are visiting hair salons and barber shops across the Bay, to ensure they are operating to COVID-19 safety legislation. While some excellent examples of compliance are being seen, two businesses have continued to commit multiple offences despite repeated warnings from environmental health officers.  Offences included having no track and trace system place and no requirement for customers to wear face coverings while in the premises. 

One business has been issued with three fixed penalty notices totalling £3000 and a Coronavirus Improvement Notice, which gives the business 48 hours to carry out necessary changes to be COVID-19 compliant. A second business received two fixed penalties totalling £2000, and a Coronavirus Improvement Notice.

In addition, three businesses have been served with formal warnings and six have been given written advice to help businesses follow the rules and operate in a safe way, with more visits planned.

Businesses providing personal care and close contact services such as hair and nail salons, barber shops and spas, are permitted to remain open in tier two following the government’s COVID-Secure guidance for close contact services.

Council Leader, Steve Darling said: “Local people continue to complain to us about this sector and we will make full use our powers with businesses that do not heed our warnings.

“Cases of COVID-19 are rising in Torbay and we must all be particularly careful as we approach Christmas. The rules are clear and businesses must not put their staff or customers at risk.

“It is vital that businesses take all precautionary steps available to reduce the spread of infection  including staff and customers wearing face coverings, ensuring social-distancing, displaying their QR code poster and having a track and trace system in place.”

Deputy Council Leader, Darren Cowell said: “We do not underestimate the pressure on all our businesses and are working hard to support our business community including issuing over £1.6 million from the latest grant schemes. I urge all businesses to follow our infection control guide and our environmental health officers’ advice so that you continue to operate safely.”

You can log concerns about a local business which is not following government guidance on Coronavirus on the report a concern or complaint page.