MORE than 200 businesses were contacted last month to ensure they were meeting Covid-secure requirements.

The Health and Safety Executive and Swindon Borough Council started getting in touch with businesses at the end of January in a bid to halt the spread of coronavirus.

Across March, 273 businesses were approached by HSE.

The council’s director of public health Steve Maddern said: “None of them were visited, 26 have planned visits and none have required enforcement follow up at this moment in time, which is really encouraging.

“The main issues that HSE has identified in some businesses have been around social distancing, following public health guidance, ventilation, risk assessments and cleaning regime.

“Part of this programme is to understand the issues and challenges that businesses are facing and then provide them with the correct advice and guidance.”

As of next week, taxi firms will be contacted to understand their policies and procedures around keeping the staff and customers safe.

Mr Maddern added: “And from April 12, they will also be contacting tattooists as well, so it’s a building programme.”

HSE says they will be in touch with 6,000 companies big and small – including supermarkets, shops, hairdressers, beauty salons and more.