Council leader's warning - businesses 'flouting the rules' will face action

Oldham Council leader Sean Fielding

Local businesses and/or their customers could be putting Oldham lives at risk if they don't adhere to the strict Government guidelines on social distancing.

That's the stark warning from Oldham Council leader Sean Fielding, who has been offering his response to the sight of non-critical businesses continuing to open and trade despite the current Coronavirus lock-down guidelines to the contrary. 

Mr Fielding said: "If pubs or any businesses are opening when they shouldn't be then it needs to be reported to the council so that environmental health and enforcement can take the appropriate action.

"People should not be allowed to get away with flouting the rules in this way.

"It's putting lives at risk, and it's putting even more pressure on the NHS.

"There are much stronger powers that Councils and the police have been given through the emergency bill that went through Parliament and we will not hesitate to exercise them.

"This is putting lives at risk if people don't follow the rules."

There are now only a limited number of circumstances under which people can leave their home.

They are:

- shopping for basic necessities, as infrequently as possible

- one form of exercise a day - for example a run, walk or cycle - alone or with members of your household

- any medical need, to provide care or to help a vulnerable person

- travelling to and from work, but only where this absolutely necessary and cannot be done from home

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