Police on patrol to enforce lockdown
POLICE are carrying out patrols on Dartmoor to ensure people are following the lockdown rules.
The measures, which are in place to halt the spread of Covid-19 after new and more infectious strains were detected in the UK, mean that there are limited reasons why a person can leave their home.
People are allowed to go out to shop for essentials, such as food and medicine, but should do this as infrequently as possible, and can take local exercise.
Before the lockdown measures were introduced, Dartmoor National Park saw an influx of visitors due to snow settling, which resulted in police shutting a road through Dartmoor due to inconsiderate parking.
With more snow forecast for the area, Tavistock Police said it will be ensuring people are adhering to the rules, including staying “local to their village, town or part of their city”.
In a tweet, Tavistock Police said: “Officers are out on patrol answering calls and ensuring the most recent government guidance is adhered to.
“Slightly different from lockdown 1 – people must only travel for limited exceptions and should stay local to their village, town or part of their city.”
People are only allowed to leave their house for limited reasons. Boris Johnson said residents can leave their homes for shopping for necessities such as food and medicine, but only as infrequently as possible.
They can also do this if they are caring for somebody, are a volunteer, or to provide essentials for people who are self-isolating.
Exercise is allowed – preferably limited to once a day – with members of your household or support bubble or one other person from another household, such as if going for a walk or run. Exercise should be taken locally.
People can leave home for medical reasons and other essential tasks such as being with someone who is giving birth, or to visit someone who is dying.
People will be able to go to work if it is impossible to work from home, such as those in the construction sector or who are critical workers. All others must work from home.
Cleaners and other trades people are still able to work in people’s homes.
The lockdown is expected to stay in place until the middle of February and police have enforcement powers.
As well as on Dartmoor, police officers are currently patrolling the Devon seafront to make sure people are respecting lockdown rules to help reduce the spread of Covid-19.
The force has shared a picture of a police car in Paignton, where they said they were making sure everyone was socially distancing.
They joked that they’re also keeping an eye on the herring gulls.
The lockdown measures mean that there are limited reasons why a person can leave their home.
A spokesperson for Paignton Police wrote on their Facebook page: “Officers are on patrol today making sure everyone, including the herring gulls, are socially distancing”.