After the owner refused to allow customers to present their NHS Covid passes, a cinema in Wales was forced to close.
Cinema & Co in Swansea announced on Tuesday it would not enforce the rules which came in this week, extending the Covid pass scheme in Wales to cover cinemas, theatres and concert halls.
To enter venues, visitors must legally show a NHS Covid card.
The scheme, according to the Welsh Government was crucial in protecting people from the disease.
Anna Redfern, owner of Anna Redfern’s entertainment company stated on Facebook that the rules were “unfair” and are “killing the industry.” She pledged to take a stance against these rules. new “discriminatory” and “illegal” measures
Notices were placed on the shutters at the cinema’s doors last night after the theatre had closed for that day.
Notices stated that the venue was closed because of the need to “minimize the risk of exposure for coronavirus in premises”.
Today, however, the theater was opened and was operating in violation of rules. The council was forced to tell the public that they were ‘considering additional steps’.
The venue may be shut down for up to 28 days, according to them.
At most, a dozen people were reported to have been seen at the tiny cafe located inside this 56-seat restaurant on Monday morning.
The owner of a cinema in Wales refused to allow customers to bring their NHS Covid cards. Cinema & Co in Castle Street in Swansea announced on Tuesday it would not enforce the rules which came in this week, extending the Covid pass scheme in Wales to cover cinemas, theatres and concert halls
Anna Redfern owner, who stated that on Facebook the rules were unfairly killing the entertainment industry and pledged to take a stand against new ‘discriminatory’ and illegal steps
Yesterday, after the closure of her cinema, Ms Redfern stated: “I am clearly upset.”
“I am overwhelmed by all the support and help offered to me locally, nationally, and internationally. ‘I do not have anything else to add, but I refuse to be bullied.
A spokesman for Swansea Council said: ‘The Council has recently issued the owners of Cinema & Co with a legal notice requiring them to close for a maximum of 28 days.
This was due to insufficient measures to safeguard Covid 19 from harm.
“We are aware of the business’s reopening and have begun to consider further measures to ensure that it complies fully with Covid regulations.
“Thankfully, most businesses in Swansea are responsible in public safety. They have also worked closely with Council to make sure venues have the appropriate measures to reduce the spread of the coronavirus.
In its post on social media earlier this week, Cinema & Co said: ‘Dear Customers. As an independent business, we will not be implementing the nonsensical & unnecessary Covid passports here in Swansea, Wales, as they are unlawful, an infringement of our human rights & discriminate against those exercising their right to bodily autonomy.’
Mother-of-two Ms Redfern stated that she had lived in fear over the last year and was ready to fight for freedoms.
She said she wanted ‘people from all walks of life’ to know they are welcome at her Cinema & Co venue in Swansea, South Wales
She stated that there are many businesses who are not following the regulations, that people don’t use them properly and that the mere knowledge of having one is making people nervous.
“People aren’t coming because of this, and that is why I decided to speak up and make a statement.
“Businesses live in fear for their livelihoods, and I am in exactly the same situation. I did not want to be complicit anymore because of this fear.
Ms Redfern stated that there are discriminatory rules in Wales regarding the entertainment industry.
She stated, “If this is where I will die, then I believe this hill is mine.”
“I am standing up for my beliefs, it’s not fair by any stretch. It’s killing entertainment and hospitality – the rules state so.
Notices were pinned to the cinema shutters last night after the theatre had shut for the day. This is in accordance with Swansea Council regulations.
Notices stated that the venue was closed because of the need to “minimize the risk of exposure for coronavirus in premises”
“They change the goals, they put up more obstacles, and I have a legal right to make a living. It feeds my children and is financially sustainable for me. Being a single mother, this was extremely difficult.
“These passes have a significant discriminatory element and people don’t have access to their rights. In 2021, we are discriminating against persons who exercise bodily autonomy’
The Welsh Government believes that passes are able to play a crucial role in keeping people secure.
According to the Welsh Government, passes could play an important role in keeping people secure.
Fixed penalty notices can be given to businesses which breach regulations – with the maximum £10,000 fine for repeated breaches.
Big Brother Watch is a civil liberties group that said it would start legal proceedings against the Welsh government. It called the scheme “authoritarian and invasive” and referred to them as “authoritarian, intrusive, unvidenced”.
According to the Welsh Government, businesses must complete a risk assessment prior to opening. This should also include the need for a Covid pass and its enforcement.
Public Health Wales announced on Friday that eight more deaths were caused by coronavirus. There are also 2,456 additional cases.
The total deaths are now at 6,342 and there are 484,744.
The UK’s overall Covid case count rose by 10 percent today. Deaths ticked up, while hospitalizations declined by 17%.
Data from the Government Dashboard shows that 44,242 positive test results were recorded in 24 hours. This is a slight increase over 40,375 on Friday.
Health chiefs also reported another 157 Covid death, an 8 per cent increase over the week before.
The latest hospitalisation statistics showed that 827 patients were admitted to the hospital on November 15. This was down 17%.