A butchers and a café in Cardigan have been closed by council officials.

Ceredigion County Council announced this morning that they have used new powers granted to local authorities to deal with coronavirus to close Priory Cafe on Priory Street and T Samways Butchers on Pendre.

Health protection regulations set out earlier this year to deal with coronavirus provide local authorities in Wales with powers to control premises, events and public places to help control coronavirus.

This includes closing premises and public places and stopping events where necessary.

Ceredigion council said it considered the public health conditions and concluded the conditions apply to both T Samways and the Priory Cafe, so made the decision to close both premises ‘until such time as the public health concerns are no longer applicable’.

A spokesperson for Ceredigion council said: “The public health conditions are that:

“1. The direction is a response to a serious and imminent threat to public health.

“2. The direction is necessary for the purpose of preventing, protecting against, controlling or providing a public health response to the incidence or spread of infection by coronavirus in the local authority’s area.

“3. The prohibitions, requirements or restrictions imposed by the direction are a proportionate means of achieving that purpose.”

The council will review whether these public health conditions continue to apply on a weekly basis.

A spokesperson added: “Officers from the public protection team in partnership with Dyfed-Powys Police are continuing to monitor and take action where necessary to ensure that all businesses and premises comply with Covid-19 regulations.”

Premises Improvement Notices and Premises Closure Notices have already been served on a number of other premises in Ceredigion following failures to comply with Covid-19 regulations for failing to maintain social distancing, keeping correct contact tracing records or staff failing to wear face coverings, etc.

The public are reminded that if they feel a business, area or premises are not complying, they should not enter or participate in the activity because we all have a personal responsibility to control the spread and help keep Ceredigion safe.