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OFFICIAL; To Private Landlords
Office of the Director of Public Health Ruth Harrell
Director of Public Health Plymouth City Council
Windsor House
Plymouth PL6 5UF
T: 01752 307835
E: ruth.harrell@plymouth.gov.uk
www.plymouth.gov.uk
Date: 24th September 2020
Dear Sir/Madam,
We are writing to you to ask for your help and support to protect the residents of our city from the threat of COVID 19. As you know only too well there have been worrying developments with the rise of cases nationally and the Government has this week announced more restrictions as part of a concerted effort to tackle this rise.
We are worried that what used to be normal behaviour of young people could potentially help spread the virus.
From this weekend, pubs, bars and restaurants will close by 10pm and we are aware that this is likely to result in an increase of house parties. If this is more than six people, it is against the law and your tenant could be fined £200.
As a responsible landlord, we are asking you to remind all your tenants as a
matter of urgency that any tenancy agreement requires them to abide by the law.
The laws are changing rapidly, so we understand the confusion. To keep things really simple:
The rule of six – no one is allowed to hang out in groups larger than six –
indoors or outside
follow social distancing rules – maintain two metre distance wherever
possible or one metre if you are wearing a face covering
If there are more than six people sharing a property that is classed as a
single household and a bubble and they are allowed to socialise
As a city we have come together to tackle issues as they have arisen and continue to do all we can to keep businesses open. Recent successes include close cooperation with the police, the Devon and Cornwall Police Commissioner, the Plymouth Retail Against Crime team and the council’s licensing and public health teams all working really closely to enable people to socialise safely on the Barbican.
We were made aware of an issue of young people gathering outside properties in large numbers last weekend and the police are talking to the owners. This work will continue, but as none of us can be everywhere at all the times, we need your support on ensuring evenings end safely.
Other tips:
Ensure there are good hygiene measures in your properties especially in
shared areas
If your tenants catch COVID, the advice is they stay in their usual residence – i.e. your property rather than go anywhere else in case they spread the virus and all those in same household must isolate for 14 days
For information about what to do visit https://www.gov.uk/coronavirus
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-guidanceon-isolation-for-residential-educational-settings/coronavirus-covid-19-
guidance-on-isolation-for-residential-educational-settings#university
For a reminder of the rule of six visit
https://www.gov.uk/government/news/rule-of-six-comes-into-effect-to-tacklecoronavirus
Yours faithfully
Ruth Harrell
Director of Public Health
Plymouth City Council
