Coronavirus: Five Cardiff bars warned over social distancing measures

Ian Cottrell said he was "shocked" at the lack of social distancing

Five bars in Cardiff city centre have been ordered to improve the way they operate in order to comply with social distancing guidance.

It follows "concern" raised by health officials about a video which showed crowds of clubbers appearing to ignore guidelines at Coyote Ugly bar.

Cardiff council said Coyote Ugly, along with Peppermint, Mocka Lounge, Rum and Fizz, and Gin and Juice had 48 hours to make changes.

They could otherwise face closure.

"It is the responsibility of businesses to ensure that social distancing is maintained and their premises can be used in a way that is safe for customers and staff and minimises the potential for Covid-19 to spread," said the council's cabinet member for environment, Michael Michael.

"Ensuring the city centre is safe to visit is a priority and scenes like those seen on St Mary Street at the weekend are simply unacceptable.

"Businesses should be in no doubt that we will take action against any premises that aren't operating in a safe manner.

"Officers will be returning to the businesses issued with improvement notices, and visiting others across the city, and will not hesitate to issue closure notices if needed."

The footage was captured by Ian Cottrell on lower St Mary Street in Cardiff and was posted on social media.

It shows crowds outside the Coyote Ugly bar at about 00:30 BST on Saturday, but the venue said it adhered to coronavirus rules and turned away large crowds.

Dr Giri Shankar, from Public Health Wales, said people needed to be responsible.

"I saw the videos and I was really concerned," he told BBC Radio Wales.

'Taking responsibility'

"It is disappointing that people are congregating in large numbers without having any regard to social distancing."

He added: "It's more about people taking more individual and collective responsibilities. We all have to do our part."

The council said its officers visited Coyote Ugly over the weekend and the venue "acted quickly to resolve a number of identified issues".

'Really concerned'

South Wales Police said officers spoke with staff at the venue on Friday evening, and the venue was also visited on Saturday "to try and prevent similar issues this evening and in the future".

South Wales Police and Crime Commissioner Alun Michael said the issue was for councils but police "can intervene" if people break the law.

But he added: "I don't think it's a policing issue. The alternative is to shut the night-time economy.

"If you have crowds behaving in an irresponsible way... they are not just an issue for the police, they are an issue of public health. The problem has to be solved collectively."

Coyote Ugly said it was "very careful" to comply with all the rules.

Meanwhile, Carmarthenshire council is asking people to comply with rules after a cluster of cases which, it said, centred around a presentation evening held on Saturday August 29 at Drefach Cricket and Football Club, organised in "breach of coronavirus regulations".

It said 12 people who are linked to the evening have tested positive for Covid-19 and other attendees will be required to self-isolate for 14 days.

In a statement, the club said some senior players had tested positive and it "immediately advised Public Health Wales and are liaising with them on a continuing basis".

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