A Carmarthen sports club has become the latest to be given a closure notice for breaching Covid-19 regulations after it allegedly hosted a 60th birthday party.
The Dairies Sports and Social Club in Water Street was handed a 14-day closure notice on October 2, by Carmarthenshire Council which said it failed to comply with current regulations.
The social club is currently serving its notice which runs until October 16.
Regulations that venues are expected to adhere to include social distancing, ensuring customers are wearing masks, correctly filling out track and trace requirements, sticking to the 10pm curfew and having enough staff.
A social media post from the club said the closure notice was given to it after it was reported that there was a birthday party at the premises.
Posted to The Dairies Sports and Social Club page, the post read: "It is with great sadness to inform all our members and customers that tonight we were served notice to close for 14 days.
"This was due to having a 60th birthday party last Saturday 26.09.2020? This was reported to authorities by someone I will not say who.
"I will say that everyone in town wanted to come and say Happy Birthday to him and we were moving people from room to room. I will appeal and will keep customers informed."
Llanelli pub manager criticises council's decision to close pub:
The social club joins a list of venues in Carmarthenshire that have been handed closure notices for breaching Covid-19 regulations. You can read the full list here.
Carmarthenshire Council's closure notice states that the club fell short on a number of different factors which include:
- Not enforcing two metre social distancing rules
- Not taking measures to limit close face to face interaction including the use of PPE
- Problems with Test and Trace methods at the venue
As a result the council in its report said the club must “provide a robust management system to control activities taking place at the premises” to ensure public health regulations are met.
These include implementing a table service for food and drink and ensuring customers only consume alcohol when seated.
Other businesses in Carmarthenshire that have been ordered to close for breaching Covid-19 regulations include Drefach Football and Cricket Club which issued a public apology after hosting a sports presentation that led to 100 people self-isolating.
A number of businesses have criticised the council's decision to close venues such as pubs: Carmarthen's Golden Lion and Llanelli's South Star both accused the council of using them as 'scapegoats.'
However, some venues such as Llangennech RFC, South Star and Felinfoel RFC have had their notices withdrawn.
The Dairies Club declined to comment.
