ANOTHER FINE MESS.. FINE MESS..

1,598 financial penalties issued for Covid rule breaks Man reported for ‘visiting lady friend’ during lockdown

VISITING a “lady friend”, too many Mass goers and leaving home multiple times a day are some of the reasons people were reported for Covid-19 breaches.

Up to yesterday, 1,598 fines and a similar number of warnings were issued by police for those flouting the regulations.

A breakdown of figures also shows 1,075 community resolution notices have been issued, 400 prohibition notices and 45 £1,000 fines for failure to isolate.

One person in Ballymena , Co Antrim, reported a neighbour for repeatedly going to see “a lady friend”, with the caller saying: “Is this not part of lockdown?”

Another neighbour in Belfast reported a household for having a dog grooming van outside of their home saying it “was not an essential service”.

One person was reported f or constantly going back and forth between their parents’ house, despite being asked not to.

After deciding to move out of the property, the caller said: “Housemate was then heard talking to neighbours about me in a derogatory manner, whilst not social distancing.”

A Freedom of Information request response from the PSNI to the Irish

News revealed 20 complaints against people for breaching restrictions included:

Seeing too many people on a live stream of Mass

Building work in Belfast making it hard to social distance

Making a record of every car visiting a property in Limavady, Co Derry

Five cars outside of the house on Mother’s Day

No social distancing and a trampoline being dumped in Kilkeel

A “wee woman” who has constant visitors

■ A family BBQ

■ People buying compost and flowers

■ An elderly woman going for multiple walks a day in Ahoghill

Kids playing on aG AA pitch in Belfast

Someone making close contact

with a two-year-old family member

An “elderly gent’ in Downpatrick socialising with non-family members

Occupied holiday homes in Ballycastle

Travelling to Millisle, and

A family making a visit for the third time in a week in Dundonald.

Meanwhile, two patients and seven members of staff have tested positive for Covid-19 on a medical ward in the

Ulster Hospital. The South Eastern Health and Social Care Trust yesterday confirmed the outbreak on Ward 16, saying nine other patients are self-isolating and the ward is closed to visitors.

It added anyone who is worried about a patient should make contact directly and it is still safe for other visitors to attend the hospital.

A spokesperson said: “We can confirm we have two patients and seven members of staff in Ward 16, Ulster Hospital who have tested positive for Covid 19.

“Nine other patients are selfisolating and the ward has been closed.

“The staff members who have tested positive are all following public health guidance and are self-isolating at home.

“Additional infection prevention and control measures are in place to contain any fur th er OUTBREAK Staff and patients tested positive spread. We would like to re-assure all patients and members of the public attending the Ulster Hospital that it is safe to do so.”

Alliance Health spokesperson Paula Bradshaw MLA urged the Department of Health to ensure resources are available for extra staff and additional infection control measures after the outbreak.

She added: “My thoughts are with all of those affected by this outbreak. Clearly everyone is doing their utmost to avoid such situations, but the nature of the virus means it is difficult to detect before it spreads.

“The staff in some locations are working under extraordinary pressure given there were already high numbers of vacancies in some areas.

“Now these have been exacerbated by the need for others to self-isolate themselves.

“I would urge the Department to redouble its efforts to ensure the resources are there to cover vacancies and implement infection control measures.”