No fines issued by police for quarantine despite policy costing tourist industry £650 million a week

No fines have been issued by police for people breaching quarantine, new figures show, as forces have largely abandoned enforcing Coronavirus rules.

In the four weeks since the 14 day self isolation policy was introduced on June 8, police have not exercised their power to fine people £1,000 and only three fines of £100 have been issued by Border Force.

Two British nationals were fined at Coquelles, near Calais, in northern France, on June 28, while a European was issued a penalty in Hull the following day.

The Centre for Economics and Business Research estimated quarantine cost the tourist industry up to £650 million a week.

The figures, from the National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC), also show only 10 tickets were handed out to passengers for not wearing face coverings on public transport up to June 22.

Face coverings became mandatory on public transport on June 15 in England and passengers caught not complying with the regulations can be fined £100 and removed from services.

Between June 23 and July 6, 97 fines were issued in England and 57 in Wales as the Government eased the country out of lockdown and enforcement of social distancing declined. This is dwarfed by the total  16,019 fines issued by forces since March 27.

Since June 1, when new rules barring gatherings of more than six were introduced, only 482 fines have been issued in England, according to the NPCC.

Martin Hewitt, NPCC chair, said the vast majority of the public had abided by the rules as they changed.

“Officers are also adapting to these changes at the same pace as the public, and we all collectively understand that the sooner we see the transmission of the virus diminish, the less need for enforcement there,” he said.

“In order to avoid further peaks and local lockdowns, I’m again stressing the need for everyone to be personally responsible and think twice before they go about their business – plan your trips, wear coverings where necessary, and don’t cram in public places where distancing is already difficult to achieve.”