2,200 fines for breaching the lockdown
MORE than 2,200 fines have been issued in Wales for breaches of the coronavirus lockdown laws, according to new figures, writes Jillian MacMath.
The provisional data was released by the National Police Chiefs’ Council yesterday, and covers incidents between March 27 and June 8.
Of a total of 2,282 fines, the overwhelming majority have been issued by Dyfed-Powys Police.
The force issued a total of 1,509 penalty notices up until June 8. This is the highest number of fines issued by any force in England and Wales during the period, by more than 400.
In Wales, the second highest number of fines was 350, issued by North Wales Police.
Meanwhile, South Wales Police issued a total of 281 fines, and Gwent Police handed out 118.
British Transport Police also issued 24 fines this side of the Welsh border, compared to 325 in England.
In England, a total of 15,715 have been issued. The police forces to issue the highest numbers in England were Metropolitan Police (1,063), North Yorkshire Police (1,082) and Devon and Cornwall Police (948).
The NPCC said fines have been handed to people for driving with others who are not members of their household, for house parties, large gatherings and camping.
NPCC chairman Martin Hewitt said: “We’re now near to closing the first month away from full lockdown.
“Soon, shops will be open again, and there will be more people outdoors going about their business.
“Our approach of engaging, explaining and encouraging continues to be successful.
“A fine is issued following engagement to establish the circumstances, explanation of what the regulations are and why they’re in breach of them, and encouragement to stop their activity and return home.”
Lockdown rules for Wales and England remain dramatically different for both countries, with the latest change seeing Boris Johnson permit “support bubbles” in England.
The NPCC said most fines are still handed to young men, aged between 18 and 24, and are most likely to be given at weekends and during spells of warmer weather.
Police were given powers to break up gatherings and fine people for breaching restriction of movement rules under the Health Protection Regulations 2020, from March 27.
In Wales, fines carry penalties of £60, reduced to £30 if paid within two weeks. The fine doubles for each repeat offence up to a £960 maximum.
Higher fines have been brought in in England starting at £100, reduced to £50 if paid within 14 days. They can rise to a maximum of £3,200 for subsequent offences.
LOCKDOWN rules for Wales and England remain dramatically different for both countries, with Boris Johnson announcing on Wednesday that “support bubbles” can be created in England.
The PM announced the new rule, going further than the regulation introduced last Monday which allowed people to meet up outdoors in groups of six in England as long as they adhered to social-distancing guidelines.
Non-essential retail, outdoor attractions where people can remain in cars, and zoos in England only can all re-open from Monday, June 15.
Meanwhile in Wales people are only permitted to meet members from one other household while outdoors and are urged not to travel further than five miles for leisure. The next lockdown review in Wales is due to take place on June 18.
Adults living alone can meet up with another household indoors in England
From tomorrow adults living alone, or single parents with children under 18, in England will be able to link up with another household and create a “support bubble”.
All those in a support bubble will be able to act as if they live in the same household: they can spend time together in each other’s homes and do not need to stay two metres apart.
It means people will finally be allowed to hug some grandparents and close family for the first time in almost three months.
He stressed that support bubbles must be exclusive and people can’t switch or connect with multiple households.
If anyone develops coronavirus symptoms all members will need to self-isolate.
Those shielding in England are advised not to form a support bubble, but the PM said more arrangements would be announced next week for those shielding.
Friends and family from different households in Wales can meet up outside
Beginning on June 1 people in Wales from two different households in the same area have been able to meet up outdoors, including in private gardens, if they comply with social distancing.
First Minister Mark Drakeford previously said: “People will be allowed to meet in gardens but I do want to be really clear. This is permission for people to do it, it’s not an invitation.
“So it’s permission for people to do something which is very important but people should still be sensible about it, do it only when it’s necessary, stay apart from one another.
“Running to people’s houses, sitting in gardens close together, having a beer and it all breaking down – that’s definitely not what we are proposing in Wales.”
Zoos and outdoor attractions can reopen in England – but not in Wales
Mr Johnson also confirmed on Wednesday that zoos and outdoor attractions where people can remain in cars, like safari parks, can re-open on Monday, June 15.
This is conditional on social distancing being followed, but indoor areas like reptile houses must be kept closed.
Non-essential retail can reopen in England as Wales prepares to follow suit
The PM re-confirmed that nonessential retail will be able to reopen in England from Monday, June 15.
In Wales Economy Minister Ken Skates gave a major hint that nonessential shops could reopen in less than two weeks’ time.
He said he would “absolutely” like to see non-essential retail open in Wales on June 22 if coronavirus infections continue to fall.
Supermarkets, corner shops, banks, pharmacies and petrol stations have been able to remain open during the coronavirus lockdown but non-essential retail which could reopen include shops selling things like clothes, toys, books and electronics, as well as indoor markets.
Guidance is being published for all types of businesses to support the effort to get them opened.
However, he warned businesses not to reopen before they were certain they could make it work as it would be hard for them to go back into hibernation or access the furlough scheme afterwards.
People can travel up to five miles from home in Wales to exercise or meet up with people
You are now allowed to travel five miles from your home to meet loved ones.
There are exceptions to the restriction, including travelling to work, to seek care, and to shop for essentials if they aren’t available locally.
But for many people in more rural parts of Wales this is far too small a distance to see anyone they know.
The Welsh Government has given clarification on how the five-mile rule applies to people in more isolated parts of the country.
Speaking at a press conference, the First Minister said that people needed to “use their own judgement” if they lived rurally.
He said that the measure was a “rule of thumb” and if people had to travel further for basic supplies and medicine then they could do the same for meeting loved ones.
On Monday Mr Drakeford said the five-mile rule could remain in place all summer.
Places of worship reopen in England
Places of worship will also be able to reopen for individual prayer to take place from this weekend.
This is not the case in Wales.
You can drive to play golf or go fishing in Wales – within five miles
People can also now drive to play golf, take part in angling, or enjoy watersports, but only if it’s local to them.
Driving beyond five miles to take part in such pursuits is not allowed, according to the Welsh Government.
Cyclists, however, are being instructed to still start and finish their rides from home, although they are permitted to travel well beyond the five-mile radius on a long ride of 40 miles or more, which is seen as a form of “active” travel.
The same goes for running or walking.
But those taking part in such activities should not congregate with others outside their local area and avoid crowded locations.
Group activities are still not allowed.
And people will still risk being fined by police if they are found to be travelling more than five miles from their home without a valid reason.
People in Wales who are shielding must continue to do so into August
People in Wales who have a health condition which makes them vulnerable to coronavirus are being asked to continue shielding until August 16.
The 130,000 people who are shielding in Wales are set to receive a letter from the Chief Medical Officer for Wales.
However, the Welsh Government has announced a change in advice for shielding people which means, as of June 1, they are advised that they can leave their homes to meet people from another household outdoors as long as they strictly follow social-distancing rules and good hygiene measures. This includes exercising outdoors.
People can continue to exercise more than once a day
First Minister Mark Drakeford has already lifted the once-a-day exercise limit in Wales.
This is also true in England, though Boris Johnson has previously said those in England can drive to other destinations to exercise.
Garden centres in Wales have reopened
Garden centres have been allowed to reopen provided the two-metre social-distancing rules can be applied.
Recycling centres in Wales have reopened
Previous changes to lockdown restrictions in Wales involved allowing local authorities to begin planning how to safely reopen libraries and municipal recycling centres.
In Wales it is up to each council if and when they reopen their centres.
The reopening of recycling centres has also been permitted in England.
HERE’S HOW LOCKDOWN RULES WILL LOOK IN WALES, COMPARED TO ENGLAND, AS OF YESTERDAY.