Carmarthenshire Council has warned pubs, supermarkets, restaurants and sports clubs they could be closed down if they are found not to be complying with coronavirus regulations.
A large team of enforcement officers, working alongside Dyfed-Powys Police, will target businesses over the weekend in what is being seen as a tough stance on social distancing in order to protect the county from Covid-19.
The decision to “hammer home the message” has been taken after a cluster of new cases was confirmed following a large gathering at Drefach Cricket and Rugby Club at the end of August. The club held a presentation evening attended by around 60 people, and was staged, according to the council, with “no social distancing - in a clear breach of the regulations”.
As a result, more than 100 people connected to the evening - who either attended or who have been in close contact with someone who did - are now self-isolating.
The council now says that stronger action needs to be taken and that, without effective social distancing, Carmarthenshire faces a “very real threat” of being placed into a local lockdown, as has happened in Caerphilly this week.
“We have offered advice to businesses, and we have continued sharing information and offering advice to the general public,” said Philip Hughes, executive board member for public protection at Carmarthenshire Council.
“Sadly, it seems that this is not enough and now we are taking enforcement action to really hammer home our message.
"The virus has not gone away, it is still spreading in our communities, and unless we heed the measures in place for our safety I’m afraid we have to face the consequences."
“In particular I would ask sports and social clubs not to proceed with planned events, in particular where you cannot limit the numbers to below 30 people and where you are not certain to guarantee compliance with the regulation.
Mr Hughes added: “Please protect yourself, your families, and other people around you. Go out and enjoy, but please respect the safety measures – keep your distance from people who are not in your, or your extended, household.
"Please practice good hygiene, and please comply with the Test, Trace, Protect procedures by providing your contact details whenever you visit a pub, club or restaurant.”
Speaking at a full council meeting on Wednesday, the council's leader, Emlyn Dole, said he would "not allow the selfishness and stupidity of a minority to further jeopardise the health and safety of the majority".
