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Interior Minister Priti Patel told Sky News that she would call the police if her neighbors threw a party that broke coronavirus restrictions.
Under the new “rule of six”, which took effect on Monday, social gatherings of more than six people are now illegal in England.
People face fines of up to £ 3,200 if they fail to comply with the new measure, which aims to curb a rise in COVID-19 cases.
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Police can impose fines on those who refuse to comply with the ‘rule of six’
When asked what he would do if he saw his neighbors break the new rule, Mrs. Patel told Kay Burley @ Breakfast, “I’m rarely home, but if I see something that seems inappropriate to me, frankly, I would call the police.”
He added: “It is not about deceiving the neighbors, it is about us taking personal responsibility.”
The Interior Secretary stressed that it was a “personal choice” for people to denounce their neighbors if they so wished.
But he added that if there was a “big party” then “it would be okay to call the police.”
“Anyone who is effectively defying the rules will be helping to spread the coronavirus,” Ms Patel continued.
“That’s not a good thing and obviously we all have a role to play.
“We all take personal responsibility, we all have to be aware of each other.”
Ms. Patel’s comments echo those of her Police Minister Kit Malthouse, who also encouraged people in England to contact the police if they see their neighbors circumvent the new coronavirus measures.
A total of 3,330 confirmed cases of coronavirus were recorded in the UK on Sunday, the first time since May that cases exceeded 3,000 in three consecutive days.
On Monday, Downing Street suggested that police would not immediately begin imposing fines on people who violate the “rule of six” restrictions.
The prime minister’s official spokesman said: “What you would expect is that the police will come out today encouraging people to follow the new rules, but in the next few days, if we see that people continue to disobey the new rules, it is right that the people could face a fine.
“Regulations are in place to help stop the spread of the virus, protect the NHS, and ultimately save lives.”
