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Economy
First Minister Mark Drakeford
Economy Minister Vaughan Gething
Deputy Minister for Arts and Sport, and Chief Whip Dawn Bowden
COVID

Welsh Government issues direction for the closure of Cinema & Co in Swansea

Llywodraeth Cymru yn cyhoeddi cyfarwyddyd i gau Cinema & Co yn Abertawe

The Welsh Government has issued a direction for the closure of Cinema & Co in Swansea on public health grounds.

Under the Coronavirus Act 2020, the Welsh Minsters have powers to take action against specific premises where they consider the premises to present a risk to public health.

To support Swansea Council and to protect public health, Welsh Ministers have issued a direction under the Act for the closure of Cinema & Co in Swansea.

Recently the Local Authority identified a series of breaches of the Coronavirus Regulations at the premises.

The premises was previously served with a notice requiring it to close due to the risk to public health.

As the owner has chosen not to comply with this legal requirement, Welsh Ministers have taken further enforcement action.

The Welsh Government will not be commenting further on ongoing legal proceedings.

Notes to editors

  • Under Schedule 22 to the Coronavirus Act, the Welsh Ministers have powers to issue directions in relation to persons, events or premises for the purposes of preventing, protecting against, delaying or otherwise controlling the incidence or transmission of coronavirus. Those powers include issuing directions that premises are to be closed.
  • The powers under Schedule 22 are available to Ministers if they have declared that there is a serious and imminent threat to public health from coronavirus. The Welsh Ministers made that declaration on 29 March 2020 and it remains in force.  Note that these powers sit alongside the requirements in the Coronavirus Regulations.
  • A direction under Schedule 22 may be made only after consultation with the Chief Medical Officer for Wales, the Deputy CMO or a director or senior clinician in Public Health Wales.
  • The direction was made by the First Minister following consultation with the Chief Medical Officer for Wales. The direction was served on the premises by the Local Authority.