As Christmas approaches, new restrictions came into effect for hospitality businesses from 6pm on Friday 04 December 2020.

We are grateful to the vast majority of the county’s businesses who make the effort to play their part and adhere to the national regulations and who will continue to do their best to help protect the public during this unprecedented situation in the run up to Christmas.

The key changes are:

  • All hospitality settings, including restaurants, cafes, pubs and bars can open indoors and outdoors for the consumption of food and non-alcoholic drinks and must close by 6pm. Alcoholic drinks cannot be served or consumed at any time within these premises.
  • Hotels and other accommodation providers can serve food and non-alcoholic drinks in bar/restaurant areas within their premises up to 10pm to residents, but must close by 6pm to non-residents.  For room service, residents can order food and drink at any time for consumption in their own rooms, but this must not include alcohol after 10pm.  No alcohol can be served to guests in their bedrooms between 10pm and 6am following morning.
  • Takeaway services can still operate as normal, provided food and drinks are sold for consumption off the premises and do not include alcohol after 10pm. 
  • Premises with a licence for off-sales can continue to sell alcohol until 10pm as part of the takeaway provision.  Face coverings and physical distancing rules must be followed.
  • Bookings made for weddings and civil partnership receptions and funeral wakes before 30th November at hotel and accommodation (for up to the maximum of 15 people allowed indoors and 30 outdoors), non-residents and residents can remain until 10pm for food and non-alcoholic drinks.  For those booked after 30th November the venue must close by 6pm to non-residents.

In recent weeks, inspections carried out by the Council’s Public Protection Team in Cardigan and other areas of the county have shown that the majority of businesses and residents are doing whatever they reasonably can to help minimise the spread of coronavirus.  With an increase in the number of cases being recorded in the county, there has also been an increase in businesses’ willingness to ask themselves what measures can be taken to stop transmission and then take those steps.

We know that these requirements place extraordinary burdens on, and barriers to, business. The efforts being made by businesses to carry on supporting their local communities in these trying times are to be commended. 

However, where businesses are found to failing in their duty to comply with the requirements placed upon them, our officers will use their enforcement powers whenever necessary to bring them back into compliance.  We are working closely with colleagues from Dyfed-Powys Police and other partner agencies to ensure that the public are protected.

It is essential that we all follow the new directions to ensure that our Health and Care Services are able to cope with the significant impact the virus will have on residents.

This is in line with the Council’s Winter Strategy to protect the health and wellbeing of our most vulnerable, whilst also enabling the local economy to survive the winter months.

If you are aware of a business that fails to follow the latest Covid-19 regulations, let us know by e-mailing PublicProtection@ceredigion.gov.uk. Don’t let the few spoil it for the many. Our health and livelihoods depend on it.

Information and advice for Ceredigion businesses is available on www.ceredigion.gov.uk/Coronavirus.

07/12/2020