COVID19 coronavirus : Lockdown breaches result in two Bay of Plenty prosecutions

Bay of Plenty prevention manager Inspector Steve Bullock. Photo / File

Across the country, there has been more than 350 breaches of the COVID-19 lockdown, rules with at least two prosecutions and 11 official warnings in the Bay of Plenty.

Recent data obtained by NZME, shows there have been at least 367 breaches under the Civil Defence Emergency Management Act (CDEM Act) and Health Act nationally.

This includes two prosecutions and three official warnings under the CDEM Act in the Bay of Plenty and eight official warnings under the Health Act across the region.

Police says the exact offences vary but may include obstructing or hindering a person assisting a medical officer, or breaching the civil defence regulations.

Whether someone was prosecuted rather than warned and the types of penalties depend on what the circumstances of the breach, police said.

Police were not able to break the regional figures down further to cities and suburbs.

Inspector Steve Bullock, the Bay of Plenty prevention manager, said: "Overall, our communities across the Bay of Plenty are adhering to the Level 4 restrictions, and we thank people for their efforts."

"We have seen isolated examples of people breaching the rules, and we are continuing to speak to people, educate them on the restrictions and make sure they are safe.

"Of note, we are also seeing some examples of people undertaking repeated trips to the supermarket for one or two items at a time.

"We encourage people to follow the lockdown guidelines which advises people how to shop within the rules, and safely to stop the spread of COVID-19."

Bullock said in regards to enforcement of the lockdown rules, the first step was to try and educate people

"But for those who continue to break the rules, police can use their discretion to either warn the person or if necessary arrest them," he said.

Bullock said police would be maintaining a "visible presence" across the Bay of Plenty, including at checkpoints to make sure people stayed safe and adhered to the lockdown.

For operational reasons, the number of checkpoints and where they would be located, would not be disclosed, he said.

Meanwhile in Rotorua, 600 vehicles were stopped with three turned back for non-essential travel.

• Covid19.govt.nz: The Government's official Covid-19 advisory website