Whilst Boris Johnson announced the "careful steps" to ease the coronavirus lockdown on Sunday, social distancing measures are still in place - with harsher penalties now imposed on those who break the rules.
A newly released 50-page Government document has revealed the roadmap out of the coronavirus lockdown, with new advice issued on face masks and meeting in public spaces.
It also confirmed that you can now meet another person in a public space such as a park, as long as you adhere to social distancing with a two-meter gap between you.
The government said it is “examining more stringent enforcement measures for non-compliance”.
Here's how the fines for breaking lockdown have changed.
How much are the fines for breaking lockdown?
Higher fines are now being imposed in England, costing £100 - and reduced to £50 if paid within 14 days. Fines will rise to a maximum of £3,200 for subsequent offences
Existing legislation known as the Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) (England) Regulations 2020 will be updated from today, to implement the changes.
However, it's still unclear if the same altered fines will be adopted in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.
Human rights campaign group Liberty hit out at the decision to increase fixed penalty notices and claimed confusion caused by unclear messages from the Government are a “recipe for injustice”.
The group’s advocacy director, Clare Collier, said: “This pandemic is a public health crisis – not a criminal justice issue”, describing the latest regulations as a “doubling down on a heavy-handed approach that will undermine public trust and cause lasting harm to people’s lives”.
Paul Griffiths, president of the Police Superintendents’ Association (PSA), said the police service had worked “at pace” to understand the changes and translate them into operational guidance for police officers but it is “crucial” the public understands them too.
He added: “We have engaged regularly with the Government and national colleagues on the impact these changes will have on the public and the police.
“Our key message has been a call for clear and consistent messaging.”
John Apter, the national chairman of the Police Federation of England and Wales, said: "What we need from the Prime Minister and the Government now is clear and unambiguous messaging and guidance, explaining what exactly is expected of the public, so that my colleagues can do their level best to police it."
