People who flout public health regulations are appearing before the courts, the health minister said last night.

Kim Wilson announced that, since June, six case files have been prepared for police and the Department of Public Prosecutions.

“There are four more in progress now,” she said.

“Police are fully prepared and ready to issue fixed penalty tickets for breaches such as leaving a place of isolation or quarantine.”

She warned the public: “Take it seriously.”

Since August 1, two breaches have been set for trial, one for a mention date, while three are awaiting their first appearance and four cases have been completed.

Ms Wilson said with community transmission of the coronavirus, there were “far too many cases to link to particular cases” or identify who might have triggered a specific outbreak.

She added that changes to legislation would be brought sin wiftly empowering police to shut down any premises or liquor-licensed establishment for 24 hours over breaches.

Compliance officers, including a former police officer, are working with police and the DPP.

“If people are not prepared to exercise personal responsibility, then we will have to come down with the heavy hand of the law.

“We have no reluctance to do so.”