Coronavirus: Police get new powers to enforce protection 6park.com

8 minutes ago
 6park.com
Share this with Facebook Share this with Messenger Share this with Twitter Share this with Email Share 6park.com
Related TopicsCoronavirus pandemic 6park.com
Anyone continuing to break coronavirus lockdown rules will be breaking the law and faces arrest.
People ignoring tougher restrictions on movement could be hit with a. fine initially and another for ?120 for a second offence.
New powers given to police in England mean no-one will be allowed to leave their home "without reasonable excuse".
The measures come into force on Thursday and will last six months, with a review every three weeks.
To ensure people stay at home and avoid non-essential travel, police will be able to order people to go home, leave an area or disperse.
The new powers mean officers can:
ensure parents are doing all they can to stop their children breaking the rulesissue a ?60 fixed penalty, lowered to ?30 if paid within 14 daysissue a ?120 fixed penalty for second-time offenders, doubling on each further repeat offence
Anyone who does not pay can be taken to court, with magistrates able to impose unlimited fines.
If they still refuse to comply, police can arrest them.
However, the Home Office, in announcing the new rules, said that "in the first instance, the police will always apply their common sense and discretion."
Under strict measures to fight the coronavirus outbreak announced by Prime Minister Boris Johnson earlier this week, people are only allowed to leave the house for specific reasons:
Shopping for "basic necessities", as infrequently as possibleOne form of exercise a day such as a run, walk or cycleMedical reasons, to provide care, or to help a vulnerable personTravelling to and from work, but only if it is "absolutely necessary" and cannot be done from home
All of the measures will last for three weeks from 23 March before being reviewed.
What are the new restrictions and why are they needed?
Several new activities which are permitted have been added to a list outlined by the PM, including moving house, fulfilling legal obligations and to escape injury, illness or the risk of harm. 6park.com