Police will be giving fines to Londoners who flout Tier 4 rules in the run-up to Christmas but have ruled out roadblocks to stop people from travelling.
The government’s lockdown announcement on Saturday sparked a flood of people fleeing the capital before the tough new rules came into effect across London and the south-east.
Health Secretary Matt Hancock called those who crammed into weekend trains “highly irresponsible”, amid fears of thousands ignoring the Tier 4 ‘Stay at Home’ message to be with their extended families this Christmas.
National Police Chiefs’ Council Chair Martin Hewitt said forces would be “stepping up visibility” this week to deter people from leaving their homes unnecessarily, warning: “Those who blatantly ignore the regulations should expect to receive a fixed penalty notice.”
But he added: “There is no intention to establish road blocks or routinely stop vehicles.”
There were chaotic scenes at King’s Cross St Pancras on Saturday night after Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced the new lockdown, as some dashed to leave London before new curbs came into effect on Sunday morning.
British Transport Police has promised an “enhanced presence” at major transport hubs, with officers speaking to travellers to remind them of the tough new rules.
Refunds pledge for scrapped Christmas travel plans
Everyone who has had to cancel a rail or coach journey in England between 23 and 27 December will be able to get a refund, the government has announced.
It comes after the planned easing of Covid rules for Christmas was scrapped for large parts of south-east England.
For the rest of the UK, the relaxation of the rules now applies only to Christmas Day.
“Passengers will not be left out of pocket for complying with the new Christmas rules,” the government said.
The policy was announced by the Department for Transport following Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s announcement on Saturday of new Covid rules for Christmas.
