New powers have come into force today which allow Birmingham City Council to close down businesses such as bar and restaurants which are not complying with coronavirus restrictions.
The move comes less than a week after the city was placed on a government watchlist as cases were rising although it is yet to be put under full lockdown as seen in other areas such as Leicester.
Birmingham has around 22 cases per 100,000, down from 30 cases this time last week.
Under the new measures, any businesses failing to follow the covid-19 guidelines could be issued with a written warning and may be instructed to shut if they continue to ignore the rules.
Birmingham Apprenticeship Awards 2020
The Birmingham Apprenticeship Awards are back for a second year, in partnership with the Ladder for Greater Birmingham. The event will be held online only on Friday November 27, 2020 and will celebrate apprentices, employers and training and education providers.
The deadline to enter has now passed - - but sponsorship opportunities are still available.
If you have any questions about the awards in general, please email paige.jackson@reachplc.com and contact nikki.kandola@reachplc.com if you would like to learn more about becoming a commercial partner of the awards.
For more information and please follow the hashtag #BAA20 for updates on social media.
The council said hospitality premises should not accept bookings for more than six people or from groups from more than two households and, if they are unsure, businesses have the right to ask and refuse service.
Face masks are now compulsory in taxis for both drivers and passengers unless there is a medical reason not to wear them.
There is also a stop on further sector openings, up to two people from another household meeting up with another household and non-essential visits to care homes are still suspended.
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City council leader Cllr Ian Ward said: "While the recent figures show our rates are going down, we cannot be complacent.
"We must all continue to follow all the relevant safety guidance in order to protect our families, friends and work colleagues.
"Staying focused now will support our fragile economic recovery in the long term.
"No-one wants to see a continual 'stop, start' approach as to what citizens can do and where they can go, least of all our business community.
"Most of whom are adhering to the guidance and are doing all they can to keep our citizens safe.
"For those that are not we are now enacting powers to ensure that they do."
In a separate announcement, the drive-thru testing centre but two new ones at Birmingham Airport and in West Bromwich will open.
The move at the home of Warwickshire County Cricket Club will enable it to resume its commercial operations but will leave the city of Birmingham without a drive-thru testing centre.