Coronavirus / Keep to the law: beat Covid-19
THE CHIEF inspector of police in Shetland is urging people to stay home, only go out if necessary and keep social distancing in order to beat coronavirus in the isles.
Lindsay Tulloch said that the Shetland police have had to exercise powers they “would not normally wish to have” to make people comply with the lockdown rules.
And he thanked the “vast majority of people across Shetland” who were adhering to guidance set out by the Scottish Government.
Tulloch said: “If we all do the right thing and maintain social distancing we will protect the NHS, allow medical staff and care workers to deliver care and treatment to those who most need it, and lives will be saved.
“We have been given extraordinary powers we would not normally wish to have, however this is an extraordinary situation and one which everybody – collectively – needs to play their part in addressing.”
He reaffirmed that the legal instructions on not leaving home without reasonable excuse applied to everyone, with no exceptions.
Tulloch added: “Some people are choosing not to stick by the requirements and despite encouragement and warnings, we have had cause to issue one fixed penalty for none compliance when asked to do so.
“To be clear, people in Scotland are being asked to stay at home and only go outside if they have a ‘reasonable excuse’ – these include shopping for necessary food, household and medical supplies, travelling to and from work where working from home is not an option, and daily exercise that adheres to social distancing guidance.
“I appreciate the sacrifices households are making and can understand the added pressures and stress upon families who are staying together at home for long periods of time.
He said that the protection of anyone subjected to domestic abuse remained a priority for Police Scotland.
“We are available to provide support and protection 24/7 by calling 101 or 999. Partner agencies such as Woman’s Aid and Rape Crisis are available to offer support and contact details can be found by visiting the Safer Shetland website.
“Domestic abuse, physical, emotional or psychological affects all genders and I would urge anyone affected or believes someone is affected by domestic abuse to contact the police or any of our partner agencies,” said the chief inspector.
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