QUESTIONS OVER PUNISHMENT FOR HOUSE PARTIES
First Minister stresses that higher fines are available
FIRST Minister Nicola Sturgeon has said further lockdown restrictions could be introduced across Scotland. The First Minister said the Scottish Government is considering if any new nationwide or local lockdown restrictions are needed after another daily rise in coronavirus cases.
Cases increased by almost 10% in the daily statistics.
Sturgeon revealed there had been 290 cases across Scotland, which was up from 267 the day before.
In Greater Glasgow and Clyde the number was 112 – up from 101 the day before.
The First Minister said it was thought the R number – the rate at which one person infects others – is above one and could be as high as 1.4.
She said: “We are monitoring it very carefully and considering if any further restrictions are necessary for all or part of the country.”
As well as the 112 Greater Glasgow cases, there were 53 in Lanarkshire, 47 in Lothian and 79 spread across nine other health board areas.
The Glasgow lockdown restrictions are due to be reviewed next Tuesday.
The First Minister also gave a warning that house parties are putting lives at risk and reminded people of the severity of fines that can be applied to those guilty of breaking the law.
She said hundreds of parties were broken up by police last weekend and that the level of fines would be monitored.
Sturgeon was asked if fines were high enough to deter people flouting the law.
SNP MSP Stuart McMillan asked if tougher fines need to be implemented for the hosts of house parties.
Sturgeon said that higher fines were available for more serious or repeat offences.
She said: “It is important that when there are really egregious breaches of the regulations, we do not just use fixed penalty fines, as the police are able to take more serious prosecution action.
“The vast majority of people are abiding by the restrictions. Even when some are not, that is not deliberate, but might be through a lack of understanding, which is why it is so important that we continue to explain exactly what we are asking people to do and why.
“However, when people flagrantly breach the rules, that should be treated seriously.”
Sturgeon said she can understand young people wanting to socialise and see friends and said it was “natural”.
However, she added: “But right now house parties are a danger to people’s health and to life.
“Last weekend, Police Scotland responded to 405 house parties across the country. That demonstrates both that we still have to get that message across to people and that the police are taking appropriate action.
“Any breaches of the regulations may be subject to enforcement action, including fixed penalty notices, the level of which, for repeat offences, can be doubled up to a maximum of £ 960.
“Where prosecution is deemed appropriate, the sheriff court can impose a fine of up to £ 5000, and higher fines can be imposed depending on the charge that is libelled. However, we will continue to keep the level of fines and the enforcement action under review.”
Meanwhile, Slovenia and Guadeloupe have been added to the quarantine list for Scotland – while Singapore and Thailand are being removed, the Scottish Government has announced.
The changes come into effect at
4am on Saturday.