HUNDREDS OF HOUSE PARTIES BROKEN UP People hospitalised
HOUSE part ies have continued to cause chaos – with cops breaking up “at least” 300 of them across Scotland over the weekend.
More than 100 penalty fines were issued and 14 arrests were made during the weekend, with cops stating parties are being held in every community and age group.
Officers had to force entry to three of the Scottish households.
Chief Constable Iain Livingstone said: “There is no doubt that house parties or house gatherings are not permitted and there can be no excuse for arranging, attending or hosting a house party.
“It is against the law.
“Where officers encounter blatant, wilful or persistent breaches, we will take decisive action to enforce the law.”
But the Chief Constable also thanked the public for following new regulations, including the 10pm curfew on hospitality venues.
Additional officers were sent out across all local authorities to ensure pubs and bars closed at 10pm.
He said: “Highly restrictive measures on our lives, freedoms and daily routines are in place as, collectively, we respond to this public health emergency.
“Policing is here to support people and to help everyone to do the right thing, to prevent the spread of the virus. Officers will use good sense and exercise the discretion that is integral to the office of Constable, to work with citizens to support the implementation of these new rules.
“The experience of the last six months is that the great majority of people are taking personal responsibility to do the right thing because they know that at this time physical distancing is the significant intervention that can be made to save lives.
“I am grateful for the support and co- operation of the public and the licensed trade which continued over the weekend. I also want to again underline my admiration and compassion for young people and students who have responded so well to the pandemic at this crucial time of their lives.”
Meanwhile, First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has said it is a “priority” to make sure students can return home for Christmas, as many face restrictions on moving from student halls.
She said the rules on household gatherings may change over the course of the pandemic and could be different by December 25.
She also thanked the “vast majority” of students who followed rules over the weekend by avoiding pubs and meeting other households.
It follows a number of Covid- 19 outbreaks at student halls of residence across Scotland.
The First Minister said: “We review the rules every three weeks and that’s why we cannot provide specific guidance for Christmas right now.”
in the previous 28 days have been recorded, with this total remaining at 2511.
There are 122 people in hospital confirmed to have the virus, up by 17 in 24 hours. Of these patients, 16 were in intensive care, up by four.
The First Minister said coronavirus hospital patients are not increasing as sharply as earlier in the pandemic, but have risen markedly – up from 48 on September 15, less than two weeks ago.
On the same date, there were six intensive care cases.
“The number of people in hospital is rising and nobody should be under any illusion about that,” Sturgeon said.