April 13, 2020 10.32 am This story is over 54 months old

Lincolnshire follows weekend lockdown advice, but fines issued

People stayed at home this Easter

Most people in Lincolnshire followed lockdown advice and stayed at home this Easter weekend, despite some fines issued by police.

Andy Fox, consultant in public health at Lincolnshire County Council, said the county respected the government’s guidance to keep their distance over the bank holiday.

But, four people were fined by Lincolnshire Police on the A17 in Sleaford for ignoring the advice.

It comes as the county’s death toll increased to 53 over the weekend and the number of positive cases reached 413.

Mr Fox said the figures showed that the measures were working to “spread the peak” of the virus, which officials expect to be lower but go on for a longer period.

“That is a sign that the lockdown measures are having a positive effect,” he said.

He added that the majority people in Lincolnshire followed the advice to stay at home this Easter after a plea from health officials and the government.

However, three men and one woman from Boston were fined by police for ignoring the guidance.

Officers spotted the group, who said they had travelled to “find a big field to celebrate a birthday”, on the A17 between Cranwell and Sleaford on Saturday (April 11) morning.

Police added that they had enough food with them for a much bigger gathering.

It takes the total number of fine in Lincolnshire up to 20.

Inspector Rachel Blackwell said: “Despite repeated and serious reminders not to leave the house during the coronavirus lockdown, some people are still ignoring the rules and are leaving their homes for non-essential reasons.

“The nice weather across Lincolnshire this Easter Bank Holiday weekend undoubtedly tempts people to leave the house, but the rules are clear. Please Stay home. Protect the NHS. Save lives. 

“The public should only go outside for one-form of daily exercise, to shop for essentials, go to work (only if you cannot work from home) or to care for a vulnerable person.

“It is also important to get across that if you are going out to shop for essential items – you should send only one adult from the household, and not try to shop as a couple – as stores will and should turn you away.”

Follow our latest coronavirus lockdown updates here