Compliance in businesses - COVID-19
This page was updated on 9 February 2022
This page offers an overview of the work the Environmental Health Team is undertaking to help businesses to understand and comply with the various coronavirus restrictions upon them.
We regularly liaise with our partners at Lancashire Police and Lancashire County Council to discuss application of the restrictions locally, to undertake joint visits to premises, and to discuss any issues with individual premises.
We carry out our activities in a way that supports our regulated customers. We look at the financial impact on businesses when we are considering enforcement action.
Our approach to engaging with businesses helps us to ensure decision making is accountable and transparent.
During the period of National Emergency it may be appropriate to take a robust approach to enforcement where egregious breaches or persistent non-compliance is found.
Visit how Environmental Health regulate for detailed guidance.
Covid Marshals
We no longer employ Covid Marshals to advise the public and businesses.
Service Requests
The Commercial Regulatory Services Team have been dealing with an unprecedented number of service requests. Service requests include businesses asking for advice as well as reports of non-compliance from members of the public and employees.
View the numbers and types of service requests we have received
Mailshots
When restrictions alter we regularly sent out advice via e-mail to those premises that have up to date e-mail addresses.
View the numbers and types of mailshot we have issued
Visits to Premises
Compliance visits are routinely undertaken by Officers throughout the working day and during evenings and weekends. Visits are undertaken proactively and in response to complaints.
View the number of premises we have visited
Enforcement
The Council and its partners, Lancashire Police and Lancashire County Council, were given a number of enforcement powers to use where egregious breaches or persistent non-compliance is found. This includes, Prohibition (closure) Notices, Fixed Penalty Notices, Improvement Notices, Directions and prosecution.
Notices are served on individuals in relation to breaches identified at the premises during a visit by officers.
Directions are only issued where the authorities determine that a serious and imminent threat to public health exists. Environmental Health provide information to Lancashire County Council who issue the Notices.
We publish the formal enforcement actions taken by Preston City Council and Lancashire County Council, and in partnership with Lancashire Police, to secure compliance with Covid-19 restrictions by businesses in Preston.
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