A Merseyside pub has been fined £1,000 after police said they breaching coronavirus rules while hosting a wake.
Police said they found “multiple breaches” of the coronavirus rules at the Kingfisher in Kirkby on Thursday including more people inside than permitted, more people at tables than allowed and track and trace monitoring not being updated.
The pub in Bewley Drive was hosting a wake at the time, with members of the public expressing anger on a police Facebook page where the details of the fine - though not the nature of the gathering - were shared by police, that officers had broken up the funeral party.
A Merseyside Police spokesperson confirmed the pub had been hosting a wake, but emphasised the enforcement action was against the venue for not following the rules and not the people attending the event.
Superintendent Jenny Wilson said: “ Knowsley currently has the second highest Covid-19 infection rate in the country and we have the responsibility of keeping our communities safe.
“Merseyside Police has been relentless in its efforts to engage and educate people and local businesses about the current legislation and how important it is to abide by it in order to keep themselves and their loved ones safe.”
Knowsley’s infection rates have soared since the beginning of September, reaching more than 600 cases per 100,000 people in the first week of October, while Kirkby’s infection rates are even higher.
The Kingfisher is the second Knowsley bar to have been fined for breaching Covid-19 rules.
At the end of September, new Huyton bar Common was fined £1,000 after police said it had stayed open after the 10pm curfew.
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Supt Wilson added: “We know that this has been a difficult time and that a lot of people are having to make sacrifices. Most people have been sticking to the rules by not having gatherings with family and friends, even at significant times, in order to ensure we all remain healthy and I would like to personally thank them for that and encourage others to do likewise.
“Our officers have visited many premises and I am pleased to say the vast majority have put extensive measures in place to protect people inside.
“But we will not hesitate to take action when the safety of the people of Merseyside is jeopardised, and I hope this fine sends a very clear message to anyone who is not prepared to operate their business in a Covid-secure way - you not only risk the health of the people of Merseyside, you risk being penalised financially.
“We are not trying to upset or anger people by our actions but it would be a dereliction of our duty if we did not ensure that our local businesses and licensed premises were abiding by the regulations.”
The ECHO has contacted the pub for comment.
