Repeated lockdown breachers could now face fines of up to £3,200 as Government announces new guidelines
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The Home Office has said that people who police believe are breaching coronavirus restrictions will have their first fine lowered to £50 if paid within 14 days.
But fines will double for each repeat offence, up to a maximum of £3,200.
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Hide AdExisting legislation will be updated from Wednesday to reflect the changes coming into force.
The news comes as a 50-page document published by the Government setting out its Covid-19 recovery strategy for England said it was "examining more stringent enforcement measures for non-compliance, as it has seen in many other countries".
Setting out limited changes to some lockdown rules in England, the paper said it would be imposing higher fines "to reflect the increased risk to others of breaking the rules as people are returning to work and school".
The new guidance states people will be able to:
- Exercise outside as many times a day as they want - although a limit on the number of exercise sessions has never been enforced by law in England previously.
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Hide Ad- Spend time outdoors, other than for exercise, as long as they are not meeting up with more than one person from outside their household while observing social distancing measure by keeping two metres (six feet) apart, and continuing to wash their hands regularly.
- Drive to outdoor open spaces “irrespective of distance” as long as they observe social distancing rules when there, and do not travel over borders to other parts of the UK where rules are different. Previously, the public were urged not to travel long distances to visit beaches, countryside and beauty spots.
Little other detail was provided on how stricter enforcement other than higher fines would be imposed.
No other specific examples of scenarios where members of the public would be considered to be flouting the rules, and therefore liable for fines, were provided in the document.
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Hide AdBut it added: "The Government will seek to make clearer to the public what is and is not allowed."