Kent Police has revealed that since March 2020, they have made 2,917 fixed penalty notice submissions for breach of Covid regulations.

However, as we move to Plan B today and more restrictions are put in place, they say that enforcement will be used as a "last resort".

Kent Police fined 74 people over Valentine's weekend this year

From today, people are being encouraged to work from home if they can.

You must also wear a face covering in most indoor public places, at large venues and events, and on public transport.

From Wednesday, December 15, you’ll need to show an NHS Covid Pass at nightclubs and some large events to show you’re fully vaccinated, have had a negative test result in the last 48 hours, or have an exemption.

The new Omicron variant has sparked the move to Plan B, and so isolation rules have changed - any contacts of someone infected with Omicron must self-isolate for 10 days, regardless of vaccination or negative test status.

The government will also continue to encourage booster jabs.

International travel has also been impacted in recent weeks, with new testing rules and various countries being placed on the red list.

With all of these new rules in place, Kent Police will use their 'four E's' method to try and ensure the public are obeying the guidelines - engage, explain, encourage, enforce.

If people still do not follow the rules, the police can tell them to disperse, or in some cases a fine will be issued.

In England, people aged 18 or over can be fined £100 for the first offence, lowered to £50 if paid within 14 days.

For the second offence this increases to £200 and doubles for each further offence, up to a maximum of £6,400.

Assistant Chief Constable, Nigel Brookes, said: "Kent Police will continue to engage with the public and encourage people to follow the government’s rules, which are in place to help reduce the spread of Covid-19.

"Tackling the virus has always been a shared effort and it is important to remember the actions you can take to keep yourself and others safe.

"We urge people to familiarise themselves with the regulations, which include wearing face coverings in some indoor settings, including public transport, shops, cinemas and theatres."

He continued: "Our approach to policing the coronavirus regulations remains the same as when they were previously in place and we will continue to engage, explain and encourage people to follow the rules, with enforcement only used as a last resort.

"Most people in Kent have respected the rules thus far and we hope to see the same level of respect across the county now that face coverings are mandatory in some indoor settings.

"We also welcome service operators, theatres, cinemas and shops playing their part and encouraging customers to follow the rules.

"Reports of abuse and violence towards staff will not be tolerated and it goes without saying that our officers will work closely with partner agencies, businesses and security staff to prevent and respond to any crimes reported in such settings."

For everything you need to know about the Plan B restrictions being introduced this week, click here.