Senior PSNI members to discuss enforcement of covid-19 fines with government officials

by Q Radio News

Senior PSNI members are due to meet with governement officials later to discuss how they can work more closely to enforce COVID-19 regulations. 

It comes after the Executive agreed to increase minimum fines for breaching coronavirus rules from £60 to £200, which could increase on each detection.

Three other offences will be punishable on conviction by a fine of up to £10,000, or attract a fixed penalty notice starting at £1,000 and going up to maximum of £10,000.

The first of these is not closing a business as required under the regulations.

Two other new offences are being introduced – breaching the early closing requirements for hospitality and not implementing measures to maintain social distancing.

Meanwhile, The list of locations where people must wear a face covering has also been extended as Stormont ministers try to stem a dramatic surge of Covid cases.

In addition to on public transport and in shops, masks must be worn when boarding a plane, in taxis and private buses, visiting government offices such as benefit offices, banks and building societies, and for both driving instructors and their clients.

Some 4,674 new cases of the virus have been confirmed in the region in the last week, while 120 people with Covid-19 are being cared for in hospital, 15 of which are in intensive care, and 11 on ventilators.

First Minister Arlene Foster warned the situation is “grave and serious”.

She explained the rise in cases across Northern Ireland as people becoming too “relaxed” about Covid-19.

“We had a summer where the virus was at a low ebb and people were coming together, and there were no consequences as a result of that,” she said.

“But unfortunately the virus has started to grow again and people are still coming together in large numbers, they’re not socially distancing, they are not taking the very basic precautions and as a result of that unfortunately we find ourselves in this position.”

However, Mrs Foster said it is “not irreversible”, and to take “basic steps to stop the transmission of the virus”.

Meanwhile, the Deputy First minister expressed concern that its not just members of the public who have become complacent. 

She's says some retailers are more lax when it comes to social distancing now, compared to back in March. 

Deputy First Minister Michelle O’Neill said if the current rate continues, the number of people in hospitals will exceed the first wave in just two to three weeks’ time.

“We now have a very narrow window to get on top of the situation,” she said.

The leaders stressed that they will need further money from the Treasury to support people and businesses before considering harsher restrictions.

Mrs Foster said they have requested a phone call with Prime Minister Boris Johnson to discuss the situation in Northern Ireland.

The Derry and Strabane council area currently has the highest infection rate in the UK.

In terms of further covid-19 rules, the First Minister said Justice Minister Naomi Long and the Executive are also considering an offence relating to organising a large gathering, or an unlicensed event as applies in England and Wales.