Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what powers the police have to enforce covid-19 restrictions on people living in Tier 4 areas travelling to Tier 3 areas to shop during the covid-19 outbreak.

People are required to continue to follow the rules under the current restrictions. They are in place to protect the public and save lives during this national pandemic This means that you must not leave or be outside of your home without reasonable excuse. We also recommend that people stay local where possible. Stay local means stay in the village, town, or part of the city where you live.

The police will be able to take action against those who break these rules, including issuing a fixed penalty notice of £200 for the first offence.

People aged 18 or over can be issued with a fixed penalty notice:

• £200 for the first offence, lowered to £100 if paid within 14 days
• £400 for the second offence, then doubling for each further offence up to a maximum of £6,400

The Home Office continues to work closely with the police and operational partners to ensure they have the powers, resources and guidance they need.