THREE people within the Wellington area have been issued with £200 Covid-19 penalty notices following a breach of the restrictions implemented because of the pandemic during the past month.

Sgt Dan Bishop, speaking via the Zoom conferencing technology this month, told members of Wellington Town Council that a total of 33 people had contacted police about possible Covid-19 infringements.

He said that the police would continue with the ‘Four Es’ approach to policing Covid-19 in the Wellington area – Engage, Encourage, Explain and Enforce.

Sgt Bishop admitted to councillors that there had been an increase in Covid-19 issues with the relaxation of the restrictions as part of the Government’s Roadmap out of lockdown.

“With a further change in restrictions from April 12 which saw the re-opening of non-essential retail and personal care premises such as hairdressers, outdoor hospitality and more, Wellington Police Team will continue with our ‘four Es’ approach to policing coronavirus,” he said.

“This last week we have been visiting all pubs across the Wellington area and checking in with licensees to confirm whether they were opening from April 12 for outside hospitality and to ensure necessary procedures were in place to ensure everyone is Covid safe,” added Sgt Bishop.

“Out of the 11 pubs across Wellington, six re-opened on April 12 with the remaining five planning to open between now and May 17 when – all being well – restrictions will change to allow indoor hospitality and entertainment venues such as cinemas to re-open once again.”