PSNI reveals 509 staff now absent as coronavirus fines reach 4123

The PSNI has said it is now down 509 officers and staff, 429 of whom are self-isolating because of coronavirus.

Absences declared by the service were accurate as of 9am on Wednesday.

“The PSNI will continue to flex its resources to meet policing demand across Northern Ireland as part of our ongoing commitment to keeping people safe,” said a spokesperson.

Fines issued by police in relation to Covid-19 regulations have now reached 4123.

But they have warned that new offences and fixed penalty notices for breaching coronavirus restrictions came into force at 5.30pm on November 12.

COV1 (£90 penalty notices) fines have now been replaced by COV4 (£200 penalty notices) fines, because penalty levels have increased and additional offences have been introduced.

COV2 (commercial/ private prohibition notices) and COV3 (failure to isolate)will continue to be used as normal, while COV5 can now be issued to a business and/or premises as required for breach of the regulations, starting at £1,000 to a maximum of £10,000.

The service said it had not issued any COV5 fines as of midnight on November 15 2020.

Here is the full list of fines:

People who flout the 14-day self-isolation rule following travel to a place not on the travel corridor can face a fine of up to £1,000 or up to £5,000 if a person is convicted at court.

Full list of enforcements from March to midnight on November 15:

Fines can be issued to anyone not following restrictions handed down by Stormont, including those on mixing households.