Woolwich cosmetics shop fined again after repeated breach of Covid lockdown laws

Undercover shop watchdog officers have exposed a shop which flouted lockdown laws – after it repeatedly broke rules which stopped Covid spreading.

The owner of Sabina Hair & Cosmetics Ltd in Greens End, Woolwich, has been ordered to pay thousands in fines after he admitted he ignored the pandemic restrictions to continue trading.

During the national lockdown, restrictions stated that only essential shops could stay open such as supermarkets. This was to save lives, protect the NHS from being overwhelmed, and to stop the spread of COVID-19.

But this small but visible business in Woolwich had failed to follow the rules.

An undercover operation was run by the Trading Standards team across Royal Greenwich to stop the outlet operating – at the height of the pandemic lockdown.

An ex-police officer working with the team was able to buy a scarf and mascara at Sabina Hair and Cosmetics Ltd, and Rihanna Hair, on February 18 this year.

Ghulam Musafa and his companies had already been fined £14,000 for previous breaches, however, they continued to sell cosmetics to customers.

On this occasion, Mr Mustafa and his company Woolwich Sabina Hair & Cosmetics Ltd were found guilty on 18 August 2021 at Bexley Magistrate’s Court. Costs of £3,280 were awarded.

Cllr Jackie Smith, Cabinet Member for Safer Communities said: “As the country considers what measures need to be taken to protect the NHS from an increase in cases of illness, this prosecution reminds us that we should all be doing our bit to help get keep COVID-19 under control.”

COVID-19 restrictions have eased now, but action will be taken against those businesses not following protocol.