Mansfield District Council will be helping to ensure that all non-essential business premises remain closed following new restrictions by the government to help reduce the spread of the Covid-19 virus.

Businesses and venues affected by the national closure instruction cover all non-essential retail, including hair and beauty salons, nightclubs, car showrooms, camp sites and places of worship, among others.

Exceptions to this ruling are shops selling food and drink, outlets selling takeaway food, hardware shops, post offices, medical services and pharmacies, bike shops, petrol stations, launderettes and banks.

A more detailed list of which businesses are exempt and can open and those that should be closed can be found at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/further-businesses-and-premises-to-close

David Evans, head of health and communities at the council, said: “Customers can also still buy online and we encourage people to do this.

“We hope businesses will stick to these restrictions as it is vitally important they support national efforts to keep people safe. This will save lives and help to protect our NHS from being overloaded.”

The council said for businesses able to continue operating, staff should work at home wherever possible. Employers and the self-employed who can remain working must follow government instructions on how to operate in order to keep staff and customers safe.

These instructions can be found at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/guidance-to-employers-and-businesses-about-covid-19/guidance-for-employers-and-businesses-on-coronavirus-covid-19

If people suspect a business is breaking the closure rules or if a business or a self-employed person fails to protect their employees or customers by not following government instructions on keeping people safe, they can be reported to the council’s environmental health team at 01623 463463 or by emailing [email protected]