People considering holding New Year’s Eve gatherings or parties have been warned they face financial penalties of up to £10,000, as police urge people to stick to the rules.
Police chiefs from across England have warned potential revellers that large gatherings or parties ‘should not be happening’ as the nation gets ready to bring in 2021.
As of midnight, three-quarters of England, about 44 million people, are in the toughest tier four restrictions due to surging infection rates.
The rest of the nation has been escalated to tier three meaning all pubs across England have been forced to close – except for the Isles of Scilly which is the only area in tier one.
Following the announcement, Boris Johnson addressed the nation urging everyone to spend New Year’s Eve safely at home to help take pressure off the NHS which is buckling under a jump in Covid hospital admissions.
National Police Chiefs’ Council Chair, Martin Hewitt, said he understands this year has been ‘incredibly difficult for everyone’ and while many want to celebrate, he urged people to obey the rules in their area.
He said: ‘Restrictions on social gatherings and certain businesses remain in place across all tiers. Large gatherings and parties should not be happening. We ask anyone thinking of attending or organising one not to do so.
‘Those who blatantly ignore the regulations should expect to receive a fixed penalty notice and we’ll target our resources towards those who commit the most serious breaches and put others at risk through their behaviour,’ added Mr Hewitt.
In the capital, where the highly infectious mutant strain of the virus has been surging, the Met Police said Londoners should bring in 2021 in the ‘comfort of their own homes, not the homes of family and friends’.
He warned those who insist on gathering and flouting rules will be dispersed by officers, or face fines between £100 and £10,000 for party organisers.
Commander Paul Brogden: ‘The public can expect to see officers deployed across the capital, supporting communities and focusing strongly on the few people intent on breaching and ignoring the guidance put in place to keep everyone safe.
‘Officers will also be paying attention to parts of London that are experiencing the highest infection rates.’
‘Failure to cancel such events, like unlicensed music events, will likely see the organiser facing a very significant fine,’ he added.
‘Although the New Year is almost upon us, now is not the time for complacency or to meet with others and hold parties of any kind.’
Greater Manchester Police issued its own warning, saying its officers ‘do not want to be spoiling anyone’s celebrations’ and urged people to follow restrictions.
Assistant chief constable Nick Bailey said: ‘We have additional resources in place that will be ready to respond to any blatant breaches, and are proactively continuing to gather intelligence in the run up to the new year in order to help prevent any unlawful gatherings from taking place.’
Airbnb previously warned those who throw parties in their rental properties could face legal action, as it vowed to crack down on Covid rule flouters under their watch.
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source https://metro.co.uk/2020/12/31/stay-at-home-on-new-years-eve-or-risk-hefty-fine-warn-police-13828647/