Government strengthens enforcement powers to respond to coronavirus (COVID-19)

Article summary

The Home Office has shared that the new public health regulations made by the government on 26 March 2020 were strengthening police enforcement powers during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. Police officers can instruct people to go home or leave an area, ensure parents are taking necessary steps to keep their children at home, issue a fixed penalty notice of £60 which will be lowered to £30 if paid within 14 days, and issue a fixed penalty notice of £120 for second time offenders doubling on each further repeat offence. The non-payment of the penalty notice could lead individuals to be taken to court, with magistrates able to impose unlimited fines. The police may also arrest individuals who refuse to comply or are acting unlawfully.