Fines for breaking restrictions in Milton Keynes have increased for lockdown 2 - how much could you be charged?

With Boris Johnston having enforced a national lockdown across England from 5 November, there are a number of rules and regulations to comply with - and steep fines for failing to do so.

10 of the best takeaways in Milton Keynes still open for delivery and collection during lockdownSimilarly to the first lockdown, police in Milton Keynes will have the power to enforce the new restrictions with fines and arrests.

And the fines they can dish out to those breaching the rules in MK have been increased as a further deterrent.

What are the rules?

As of last Thursday and until December 2 you are no longer allowed to meet people in your own home and you can only meet with one other person outdoors.

You should not go out unless for essential reasons, including to work to shop for essentials and to exercise.

Exercising outdoors is permitted and you can do so with other members of your household or with one other person from a separate house.

If you are part of an official bubble, whereby a single person can link up with one other household - then you can still meet and socialise as if you are a member of that household.

Anyone caught socialising indoors with people who they do not ordinarily live with or those outside of their support bubble, will be fined £200.

This will double every time you reoffend - to a maximum of £6,400 for a sixth time reoffending.

Latest Covid-19 statistics for MK from the first weekend of lockdown 2What if I am ordered to self isolate?

If you have tested positive for coronavirus or you have been contacted by test and trace and are required to self isolate, not doing so will result in a £1,000 fine.

Repeated offending could escalate to £10,000 and you will also be facing a £10,000 penalty if you prevent others from self isolating, according to the Government’s website.

This applies to circumstances whereby an employer refuses to allow an employee who has been ordered to self isolate to do so.

Should you need to travel outside the UK, you must self isolate upon returning to the UK for 14 days or else you will be fined £1,000.

Continuously breaching the conditions could see a one of fine of up to £10,000.

This condition does not apply to people who are required to travel for work within the common travel areas of Ireland, Jersey and a select few other places.

Which areas of Milton Keynes saw biggest FALLS in Covid-19 cases in the last weekWhat are the fines for non-essential businesses?

All non-essential retail and hospitality have been forced to close, including clothes stores, pubs, restaurants and gyms.

Therefore, business owners in these industries who open can face unlimited fines and will be put at risk of closure as police enforce new laws to ensure compliance with lockdown measures.

Exemptions to this are for the purposes of takeaways and delivery services, as long as covid guidelines are followed.

Are there any other exemptions?

Yes, anyone who is at risk of harm or having their welfare compromised can leave their homes to access help and support is exempt from fines.

Informal and formal childcare can continue for any children under the age of 14 while their parents work or volunteer for an essential service and some funerals and weddings can continue with up to 20 people attending in total.

You can also attend a place of worship - such as church, synagogue or mosque - for private prayer.