NI gym owner due in court over breaches of coronavirus regulations

A spokesperson for the PSNI said: “Police in Newry received reports of a suspected potential breach of Health Protection (Coronavirus Regulations Northern Ireland) Regulations at a gym in Newry on Friday 27 November.

“The owner was spoken to by police and encouraged to follow the current regulations that are in place. A Covid 2 Prohibition Notice and a Covid 5 penalty notice were issued.”

The interactions between police and the gym didn’t stop there.

The PSNI spokesperson continued: “Police again called to the premises on a number of occasions over the past few days and a number of Covid 4 penalty notices were issued yesterday to people using the services at the gym in breach of the current regulations.

“In addition, a 32-year-old man was arrested yesterday (Tuesday, December 1) and was charged with contravention of a requirement order regulation and is due to appear at Newry Magistrates Court this morning, Wednesday, December 2.”

Assistant Chief Constable Alan Todd said: “Under the current Health Protection Regulations all sports facilities such as leisure centres and gyms, swimming pools, tennis courts, fitness and dance studios must close. Our approach has been that we will engage, explain and encourage members of the community to comply with the Health Protection Regulations.

“The vast majority of our community are complying with the restrictions, which we all recognise, are asking people to restrict their personal and professional lives in a way none of us would ever have thought possible.

“While enforcement is our last resort, those who recklessly or repeatedly breach regulations, when detected, can expect to receive a fixed penalty notice.”