House gathering broken up and person fined for not wearing facemask in a shop

A house gathering was broken up and a person fined for not wearing a facemask in a shop as part of checks by officers in Calderdale last weekend.

Police and Calderdale Council are continuing to urge the public and businesses to follow government restrictions this weekend.

Seventy-one businesses were checked by officers and council officials across Calderdale last weekend, to ensure the public and businesses are complying with the latest Covid-19 regulations.

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As part of the operation, a gathering at a house was broken up and a member of the public was fined for refusing to wear a facemask in a shop without a reasonable health excuse.

The vast majority of businesses visited across the district were found to be compliant with the regulations and Calderdale District Police and Calderdale Council are urging the public to continue to listen to the advice as it remains an area with local restrictions.

Superintendent Sarah Baker, of Calderdale District Police, said: “Our priority remains the safety of the public and we will continue to engage, explain and encourage the public to abide by the current regulations. They are there to protect people and if they are broken, we will consider enforcement action.

“I am pleased that the majority of businesses which officers visited were compliant with the regulations and the public out and about in Calderdale have been doing their bit in stopping the spread of the virus.

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“Our patrols will continue across the district and we will continue to answer calls from the public for those deliberately breaching the restrictions.

“We need to stop the spread of coronavirus and individuals need to protect themselves, their family and friends, and their community.”

Cllr Tim Swift, Calderdale Council’s Leader, said: “Unfortunately, we are still seeing high COVID-19 infection rates in Calderdale, and we will be living with the serious risk of the virus for a long time.

“We are extremely grateful to all the local people and businesses who are following the rules and doing their bit to reduce the spread of the virus, and to the Council and partner teams who are working around the clock to ensure our area is COVID-secure.

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“We must all continue to do what is right to protect ourselves, our loved ones and our communities, especially more vulnerable people who could get very unwell if they catch the virus.

“We take breaches of the rules very seriously and won’t hesitate to take action if needed, as the safety of our whole borough remains our priority.”