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Police have warned the public to expect tougher action against violators of Covid rules after the Home Secretary told them to “strengthen enforcement” ahead of England’s second lockdown.
Martin Hewitt, president of the National Police Chiefs Council (NPCC), said those who openly and deliberately disobey regulations should expect punishment.
A police source emphasized that this did not mean that officers would begin to “monitor people’s private lives,” but that officers would be quicker to fine or close facilities in clear and deliberate violation of the new regulations.
“Not following the regulations and measures implemented to limit the spread of the virus is unacceptable. We will not waste time endlessly cheering on those who knowingly or deliberately break the rules. People who recklessly ignore the regulations should expect to receive a fixed penalty notice, ”Hewitt said.
It marks a change in tune from the first lockout and comes amid growing concern over rule breaking, including raves. One rave drew 1,000 people in East London over the weekend and another in the West Country saw attacks on police trying to shut it down, sparking a clash that lasted for several hours.
The new national restrictions are due to go into effect in England on Thursday, after MPs vote on them, and will remain in effect until at least 2 December.
Why can I leave the house?
- For childcare or education, where it is not provided online.
- Go to work unless it can be done from home.
- Exercise outdoors with household members or with someone from another household.
- For all medical reasons and appointments.
- To escape injury or damage, such as domestic abuse.
- To provide care for vulnerable people or volunteer.
- To buy food and basic products.
- See people in your bubble of support.
- Children will still be able to move between homes if their parents are separated.
The government says the list is not exhaustive and that other permitted reasons for leaving home can be established later. People could face police fines for leaving their home without a legally permitted excuse.
Can you mix different homes indoors?
No, unless they are part of an “exclusive” support bubble, which allows a one-person household to meet and socialize with another household.
Parents can form a child care bubble with another household for the purpose of informal child care, when the child is 13 years old or younger.
Can different homes be mixed outdoors?
People can meet a person from another household socially and for exercise in public outdoor spaces, which do not include private gardens.
Can I attend funerals, weddings, or religious services?
Up to 30 people will be allowed to attend funerals, while stone setting and ash scattering can continue with up to 15 guests.
Weddings and civil couple ceremonies are not allowed except in “exceptional circumstances.” Places of worship must remain closed except for volunteer services, individual prayer, and other exempt activities.
Can I travel to the UK or abroad for a holiday?
Most international outbound travel will be prohibited. There is no exemption for staying away from home on vacation. This means that people cannot travel internationally or within the UK, unless for work, education or other legally permitted exemptions.
What businesses will they close?
Everything except essential stores and educational settings, including daycares, schools and universities, will close.
Entertainment venues will also have to close. Indoor and outdoor pubs, restaurants and entertainment facilities will have to close their doors once again.
However, take-out and delivery services will continue to be allowed, while construction and manufacturing will remain open.
Parents will still be able to access registered child care and other child care activities when reasonably necessary for parents to work. Some youth services may be able to continue, such as one-on-one youth work, but most youth clubs will need to close their doors.
Public services such as jobs, courts and civil registry offices will remain open.
There are no exemptions for organized grassroots team sports. Elite sports will be allowed to continue behind closed doors as at present, including Premier League football matches.
Aaron Walawalkar
Police cited an example of a Merseyside pub opening in violation of Covid regulations despite repeated warnings; In the future, fewer warnings are likely to be issued by the police before enforcement action is taken, including facility closures.
The NPCC comments came after Priti Patel told police chiefs that Downing Street wanted tougher action. Senior government figures want the police to be visible to enforce Covid regulations, especially against the most flagrant infractions, such as raves and weddings with dozens of people in attendance.
While the police forces are operationally independent, the Patel spokeswoman said she had told police chiefs: “Now we need them to strengthen enforcement.”
The Home Secretary said at a National Police Board meeting: “I am well aware that we are asking more of our outstanding officers and that they have been working tirelessly to keep people safe.
But the prime minister has made it clear that he wants to see tougher enforcement of the restrictions necessary to save lives. Now we need them to strengthen the application of the law and that the law-abiding majority is not threatened by those who disobey the rules. “
Strict new rules are expected to be implemented for all of England on Thursday, including instruction to stay at home, except in a handful of circumstances, including exercise and essential shopping.
Last week, the NPCC said more than 20,000 fines had been issued in England and Wales since the coronavirus restrictions were introduced on March 27. There is no data on how many have been paid.
Of these, 1,103 fines were issued in the four weeks to October 19 to people who broke England’s local closures and for gatherings of more than 30 people. The NPCC said the highest level of financial fine – £ 10,000 – had been issued 64 times in England and twice in Wales for people hosting raves, house parties or protests of more than 30 people.
Professor Chris Whitty, England’s chief medical officer, said there had been a remarkable level of compliance among the British public with the draconian restrictions on social contact.
However, there have been concerns that most people, up to 80%, will not fully self-quarantine when asked to do so through testing and tracing. Police chiefs plan to release data in the coming weeks on how many people have been referred to officers for violating self-isolation.
