GOING shopping proved expensive for two Thurrock women who found themselves on the receiving end of fines for breaching Covid-189 quarantine rules.

Following a Border Force request to carry out an isolation check on Monday, 8 March, officers from Essex Police visited the home of a 30-year-old Aveley woman, who had recently returned to the UK, to find she had gone to the shops for a bottle of wine and some washing powder.

Under Covid guidelines anyone returning from a trip abroad has to quarantine within home for ten days after arrival. She was immediately issued with a fixed penalty.

The same day, a 55-year-old Grays woman also received an fine for breaching quarantine rules after going to the shops.

A police statement detailed the two offences among a number of others across the county.

They included a 20-year-old Colchester woman who hired a house in the town from Airbnb and invited four other people for a party to celebrate her birthday.

On the same day, a couple from Enfield were fined after travelling to Great Bentley for a break in their caravan. It is currently against the rules to go on holiday within the UK or abroad.

A 45-year-old Basildon woman received an unwanted birthday present on Sunday, 7 March after she organised a party for up to 50 people.

And a 23-year-old man from Chelmsford who drove to Shoeburyness to watch the sunset copped a fine too. Police said: "This does not count as an essential journey and the man had his view spoiled by a fixed penalty notice.

"Our officers will continue to engage with people, explain the regulations and encourage them to do the right thing. But, where reasoned conversation is not successful, we will consider enforcement action.

"If you are thinking about organising a social gathering or making a non-essential journey, please reconsider, stay safe and stop the unnecessary spread of Covid-19."

Police are also calling on residents to report Covid-19 breaches. You can report them via the force website where you can use the digital 101 service to speak to one of the operators via Live Chat, any day between 7am and 11pm.