New Covid-19 rules from Friday 24th July

Additional Covid-19 rules announced by the Government last week will be brought into effect from this Friday, 24 July, making it mandatory for face coverings to be worn in shops and supermarkets and fines enforceable for anyone who does not adhere.

In response, Humberside Police Assistant Chief Constable Chris Noble has issued the following:

“Throughout the pandemic, we have found our communities across the Humberside Force area have readily complied with the new laws that have been introduced to assist with protecting the NHS and ultimately saving lives, and I cannot thank our residents enough for their help.

“With the new law being introduced on Friday, I am hopeful that the adherence and cooperation we have seen this far will continue, as to keep safe, we all have to work together and protect each other.

“We have been working closely with local businesses in light of the announcement, providing advice and guidance as to how they best manage the new requirements, and when we as the police should be contacted.

“Guidance we have offered to our local businesses is in a similar vein to our policing approach, which has always been to engage with people and explain, providing encouragement to adhere to the rules and as a last resort, apply enforcement.

“If an individual refuses to comply, shop employees should ask them to leave the store in the first instance. Should there be any further refusal or non-compliance, we are able to attend and whilst we will also attempt to engage with the individual, we can and will issue fines where we need to.

“If members of the public witness someone not wearing a face covering where it is required, we would ask in the first instance that they do not contact police on 101 or 999, but rather report this to the shop or premises in question.

“It is important to remember that there are exemptions to people wearing face coverings, for example young children or those with serious illnesses, and this should be determined through initial engagement by store employees.

“Our support provided for businesses will enable them to make contact with us should they feel it necessary, and we will of course provide assistance.

 “We will have police officers patrolling retail areas as they would do ordinarily, however we will also have additional officers deployed on patrol so they are able to intervene relatively swiftly should there be any issues that arise.

“I do believe everyone across the Humberside Force area will do their utmost to continue protecting each other and keeping people safe, which is also our priority and we will do all we can to ensure we provide support and assistance so this is upheld.”

If you are a shop, store or supermarket and haven’t received a poster to display in your premise with guidance for the public, a copy is available on this page. Please do download and print out to assist with the new rules from Friday. If you are a member of the public, you may also find the information useful and we would ask you please familiarise yourself with the guidance.