THE environmental health team at Clackmannanshire Council has powers to deal with businesses that do not follow social distancing rules amid the coronavirus outbreak.

However, enforcement officers are looking to engage with businesses to make sure they comply with the rules, through explanation and encouragement in the first instance.

Enforcement will be a last resort, officials have insisted.

A statement on the local authority's dedicated Covid-19 information page said: "We are here to help everyone comply with this new law."

And added: "Businesses must take a responsible attitude to these vital health protection rules.

"Coronavirus is the biggest public health emergency the world has known for generations and these measures will save lives."

Businesses which are essential and are still allowed to operate, such as food stores and restaurants that offer home deliveries, are required by law to ensure there is a two-metre distance between people on their premises.

Customers can only be admitted in sufficiently small numbers to enable that distance to be observed.

Businesses are also responsible for making sure people waiting to enter the premises keep that distance too, the only exception is when two people are from the same household or if it is a carer and the assisted person.

Any business operator unsure about what is supposed to be done can email ehealth@clacks.gov.uk for help and advice.

The above address can also be used by people who are concerned or have information that a business is not following the rules.

The statement from the environmental health team added: "We will be reaching out to businesses still operating in Clackmannanshire over the coming days and weeks, providing information, help and guidance.

"This will be followed up with checks to make sure everything is being done safely.

"We are developing further guidance for businesses which will be published on the website when complete."