Pubs under investigation in Milton Keynes for breaking 10pm curfew rule

Council leader Pete Marland said "one or two" pubs and restaurants are under scrutiny this week following information they have allegedly kept open after 10pm.

He has warned all premises, including offices and businesses, to stick to all the Covid regulations.

And he has urged anyone with information about possible breaches to email the council on covidconcern@milton- keynes.gov.uk, warning business owners: "We will take action if you are exposing your staff to unnexcessary risks and we are putting more funding into our enforcement teams to help this."

Pubs and restaurants can be fined up to £1000 for failing to abide by the rules and repeat offenders can be fined up to £4,000.

Pete said the "vast majority" of people and businesses in MK were fully complying.

Over the two week period up until last Friday, 4809 tested had been tested for Covid in MK. Of these, 344 were positive. But over the past two days alone, 84 there have been 84 more cases break out in the city.

Currently there are 19 schools in MK that have Covid cases or where pupils or staff isolating due to contact with Covid.

Pete has urged people to stick carefully to social distancing rules during half-term this week and during Halloween celebrations at the end of the month.

MK public health experts have already advised people to avoid trick and treating due to the risk of moving from household to household.

Pete said: "I know that's tough but there are loads of other ways to have fun... It's a really tough time right now."