BUSINESSES with "shoddy health practices" during the coronavirus crisis are being warned they will be shut down if they do not take measures to protect staff.

Middlesbrough mayor Andy Preston criticised businesses he believes are putting staff and the wider community at risk.

He said: "I absolutely recognise that preserving jobs is important. But preserving lives is much more important."

He added: "I could name names here but I’m giving everyone a chance to put it right. If these businesses don’t take immediate action and continue to put staff and the general public at serious risk then there’s every chance that I personally will turn up at their workplace with the police. 

“My message is clear – sort it out or we’ll shut you down.”

Mr Preston has been contacted by several people complaining about poor health and safety practices in use by Teesside companies, especially around social distancing.

With the exception of some non-essential shops and public venues, the government has not asked businesses to close but have encouraged employees to work from home unless it is impossible to do so.

But the mayor is concerned many businesses have failed to put in place “common sense health practices” around social distancing, hand cleaning and the cleaning of surfaces and other items.

He said: “There are businesses out there who are part of the essential supply chain amid this crisis who are doing incredibly important work and have ensured the very best public health practices are in place for their staff.

“It’s also important that we ensure our economy doesn’t take a bigger hit than is absolutely necessary, so I’m definitely not calling for all businesses to close. 

“But it’s absolutely critical that those businesses that do continue to operate adopt the very best practices for the health and safety of not only their staff and families but the wider community in general. 

“What’s really worrying is that I’m receiving a growing number of reports of shoddy health practices across a range of local businesses, meaning that staff have a high risk of contracting coronavirus while working there. 

“This is literally putting people’s lives at risk and will not be tolerated.

“It’s a concern for their employees who are trying to put food on the table and it also has an impact on everyone else because the virus can then ripple out across the whole area and into our communities.

“Employers are going to have to accept the fact that, in the name of community safety, some of their work will need to be done more slowly.

“If they genuinely can’t adopt the very best public health practices, then unfortunately they may have to consider closing for the time being.  

“But I believe most could adopt better practices, it will just require more planning and patience to ensure social distancing practices are adhered to - but that’s a price well worth paying.

“I want to protect good businesses but my first priority has to be to protect people, so if people have evidence of bad practices at their place of work – either in Middlesbrough or involving staff from our town - then they should contact me.”