More than 700 people fined in Kent for breaching Coronavirus rules since March 2020
People in Kent are being urged to continue to follow lockdown guidance after figures revealed that more than 700 people have been fined for breaching Covid-19 legislation.
A total of 729 people have been fined between £200 to £1,000 for having house parties, making unnecessary journeys, breaching travel regulations or going to public places whilst infected with Coronavirus.
Despite targeted government campaigns urging people to stay at home, protect the NHS and save lives, people are still making unnecessary journeys and gathering in groups potentially spreading the virus and putting vulnerable people at risk.
Who has been fined?
(1) Three men and three women were having a house party at an address in Havelock Drive, Dartford on Saturday, 16 January. Shortly after dispersing the group the officers were called back to the address where they found three women attempting to conceal their presence by hiding in cupboards, they were all fined. One of the women had been issued with a fixed penalty notice on the first police attendance.
(2) A woman was stopped by a patrol in Weymouth Road, Folkestone shortly after 1am on Saturday, 16 January. She told officers she had tested positive for Covid-19 three days previously and that she had been should be self-isolating. She was issued with a fine.
(3) Officers were called to a property in St Martin’s Road, Canterbury just after 9pm on Friday, 15 January where a party involving around 20 people was taking place. Two men and a woman were fined and the party shut down.
(4) A man was fined for visiting a brothel in Minster, Isle of Sheppey at around 6pm on Friday, 15 January.
(5) A woman was fined after behaving antisocially in a supermarket in Herne Bay at around 7pm on Friday 15 January. The officers were called to the store following a report of a disturbance. The patrol offered the woman a mask, she refused it and became aggressive. She was issued with a fine and moved on from the store.
Assistant Chief Constable Claire Nix said: "We remain in critical times and whilst the NHS have been remarkable in what they have achieved, they are still dealing with an overwhelming amount of seriously ill patients."
What are the current lockdown rules?
Like the first UK lockdown in March, all residents of England must stay at home, only leaving home for work if it is impossible to work from home such as construction, manufacture or critical workers.
People can also leave home to provide voluntary or charitable services.
People can leave their homes to shop for necessities - for themselves or others - or to exercise locally once a day.
Exercise is permitted with one person from outside a household or support bubble. Social distancing must be maintained.
Overnight stays away from home are not permitted unless it is a person within a support bubble or you have a reasonable excuse. This means that holidays in the UK and abroad are not allowed, including staying in a second home or caravan.
Those extremely clinically vulnerable should stay at home as much as possible.
Other reasons permitting you to leave home include:
to provide care or help to a vulnerable person
medical appointments or care
fleeing harm
Animal welfare (eg veterinary appointments)
For more information on the current lockdown rules, click here: