OVER 1,100 Bradford businesses have been visited in the past week to make sure they are “Covid secure” - and some will be taken to court for breaching guidelines and allowing large gatherings.

Bradford Council staff are to continue visiting businesses, including wedding celebration venues, restaurants and pubs, throughout the district to make sure they are aware of and are operating within guidelines, following reports of large gatherings and businesses not being Covid-19 secure.

Members of the Environmental Health, Public Health and Licensing Teams along with Wardens, Ward Officers and West Yorkshire Police are visiting premises armed with the latest Government guidance.

Businesses are being asked to show that they have carried out a Covid-19 risk assessment that identifies the necessary controls required to minimise Coronavirus transmission and are implementing the necessary controls.

Bradford is currently under stricter lockdown measures than many parts of the country due to a stubbornly high infection rate.

The Council today said: “Where businesses are unable to satisfy the requirements they will be given advice on measures to take and further visits will be made.

“If on future visits action hasn’t been taken, contraventions of the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974, Sections 2 & 3 may result in businesses being served with a prohibition notice which could prohibit one aspect of the business continuing or even close the business until remedial action is taken.

“These actions are to protect the residents of the Bradford district as the potential for coronavirus transmission poses a serious risk to the heath of the public, staff and other visitors to businesses such as delivery and catering staff.”

The Covid teams have visited 1,128 businesses over the past seven days.

The Environmental Health Service have served prohibition notices on some businesses and the Council says there are currently cases going through the court system for failure to fulfil their legal obligations.

Councillor Sarah Ferriby, Executive Member for Healthy People and Places said: “The aim is to help businesses operate within the guidelines.

If however we hear that they have disregarded the guidance and are flouting the law we will have no option but to take enforcement action.

“Coronavirus is still here and infection rates are rising across the district. Businesses have to play their part in helping to prevent the virus from spreading further by adhering to the guidelines.”

Anyone wishing to report non compliance can do so by visiting www.bradford.gov.uk/health/health-advice-and-support/coronavirus-covid-19-advice/