Emergency laws could be introduced if lockdown rules are ignored

On Monday, Prime Minister Boris Johnson said tougher restrictions on people's movements during the crisis would be enforced by police and warned those ignoring them would be fined.

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Those who flout the restrictions could face more than fines if they persist with their behaviour, PFEW's John Apter wrote in The Daily Telegraph yesterday.

“If you don't heed this government's advice, then it is likely further steps may need to be taken; further laws and emergency legislation could be introduced to clamp down harder on selfishness in the face of the fight against this virus,” he wrote.

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The new measures give officers powers to disperse gatherings of more than two people apart from those who live together. People can be issued an initial £30 fine and could end up in court if they do not pay.

Writing for the Telegraph, Mr Apter asked people not to gather in groups and noted the relationship between the police and the public, adding: “We all have a moral duty to uphold the rule of law and look out for each other.”

Part of that duty meant following the current rules so that ‘new, harsher measures’ were not introduced, he said.

He added: “Either the public heeds the Prime Minister's warning and stays at home, or the fight against COVID-19 will be longer and more will likely be affected.”

Regulations will be made by Thursday at the latest to allow police to issue fines under the 1984 Public Health (Control of Diseases) Act for England and Wales.

The emergency legislation going through the House of Commons will provide equivalent powers to Scotland and Northern Ireland.

The head of Britain's biggest police force, Dame Cressida Dick, said the ‘vast majority’ of people want to obey the new rules.

Police chiefs warned of phone lines being inundated with calls in the immediate aftermath of the Prime Minister announcing his lockdown, with questions about what movements are still permitted.

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