Lockdown fines: how much you’ll be charged for breaking lockdown rules as UK Government updates guidance

However, many of the original lockdown restrictions remain in place, and those caught breaking the rules will receive a heftier fine than before.

The changes announced by Boris Johnson only apply to England. The three other nations may choose to alter their own regulations in a similar way, but have not yet done so.

Here’s what you should know about how much fines have increased.

How much have fines increased?

For those who breach lockdown regulation for the first time, fines will rise from the previous £60 to £100.

Payment of the fixed penalty notice within 14 days will reduce the sum to £50, which is up £20 from the current £30.

However, the maximum for repeat offenders will more than triple from £960 to £3,200.

Johnson said on Sunday (10 May), “You must obey the rules on social distancing and to enforce those rules we will increase the fines for the small minority who break them.”

In what situations will people get fined?

In a new document published on 11 May to clarify the updated lockdown rules, the government states it is “examining more stringent enforcement measures for non-compliance, as it has seen in many other countries.

The document says: “The Government will impose higher fines to reflect the increased risk to others of breaking the rules as people are returning to work and school. The Government will seek to make clearer to the public what is and is not allowed.”

The updated guidelines explain that alongside exercise, people can now also spend time outdoors subject to:

-not meeting up with any more than one person from outside your household,

-continued compliance with social distancing guidelines to remain two metres (6ft) away from people outside your household

-good hand hygiene, particularly with respect to shared surfaces

-and those responsible for public places being able to put appropriate measures in place to follow the new COVID-19 Secure guidance.

Alongside this, “People may exercise outside as many times each day as they wish. For example, this would include angling and tennis. You will still not be able to use areas like playgrounds, outdoor gyms or ticketed outdoor leisure venues, where there is a higher risk of close contact and touching surfaces.”

However, you can only exercise with up to one person from outside your household, which means you should not play team sports, except with members of your own household.

Pubs, cafes and restaurants can also be penalised for selling food and drink for consumption on their premises.

The changes announced by Boris Johnson only apply to England. The three other nations may choose to alter their own regulations in a similar way, but have not yet done so.

However, the document does not include any other specific examples of situations or scenarios where members of the public would be considered to be breaching the regulations, and therefore liable for fines.