Coronavirus: Police stop motorists as travel clampdown steps up

MOTORISTS are being reminded by police they can only travel for essential journeys following the government clamp down.
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Those disobeying the stringent measures following the announcement on lockdown face being fined with new powers being introduced for police.

The official government advice states that people should ‘only go outside for food, health reasons or work (where this absolutely cannot be done from home)’.

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Motorists have been stopped by police as officers engage with the public but no road blocks are in place as the country faces up to the biggest restriction on civil liberties ever witnessed in UK peace time.

Police officer patrollingPolice officer patrolling
Police officer patrolling

‘Our officers are out on patrol and will talk with people who are out and about and, where necessary, remind them of the government’s message from earlier this week. But we do not have road blocks in place,’ a police spokesman said.

‘Officers will engage with people and re-iterate the government message and why it is so important for people to stay at home, other than the exceptions set out. Where absolutely necessary, they will use the new powers that are being introduced.’

It comes after 500 British Transport Police were deployed yesterday across the nation to remind people only essential travel was permitted.

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The move follows Mr Johnson’s announcement over the closure of all but essential shops and banned gatherings for three weeks in an effort to tackle the spread of the deadly virus.

Schools, bars and restaurants had already been shut down.