Seven parents have been fined after their teens were found meeting up in violation of stay-at-home coronavirus measures. These fines, which were issued over the past week in Sussex, England, were just a small portion of numerous citations issued in the area for violating lockdown measures, say police.
This isn’t an isolated incident. Parents worldwide have been feeling the heat from authorities when their children ignore COVID-19 safety measures, and paying the price.
Widespread Violations
The groups of teens were reportedly between ages 15 and 17, states The Argus. After the teens refused to comply with police, they were taken home to their parents, who received fines of undisclosed amounts.
Police in Sussex issued 45 fines in total on Saturday, May 2. Many of these went to people visiting the beach over the weekend, while others said they were attending birthday parties.
Sussex Chief Superintendent Jane Derrick spoke about the weekend’s fines. “We know that it isn’t easy, especially when the sun is out, but fine weather is no indicator of the restrictions lifting or indeed the spread of the coronavirus slowing,” Derrickson said on the department’s web site.
U.S. Incidents on the Rise
This isn’t the first time parents or adults have been held responsible for children violating social distancing orders. In late March, parents in New Jersey were charged with child endangerment after hosting a birthday party in front of their home. They were also charged with violating the Governor Phil Murphy’s ban on large social gatherings, according to Kiro 7 news. The governor has previously promised that those who violate the order “will pay a big fine.”
Meanwhile, police charged a man in Maryland in late March for hosting a party for teenagers in a hotel. In addition to 10 counts of allowing minors to possess alcohol, the man was charged with violating the state’s ban on large gatherings. As The Baltimore Sun reports, the maximum fine for violating the order is a fine of up to $5,000 and/or one year in jail. The teens who attended the party received no charges, according to the Sun.