Police say they will hand out fines for people who refuse to keep within the rules for outdoor exercise.

Essex Police bosses say people doing the right thing makes a big difference in the Covid battle.

It comes after different interpretations and approaches have been taken across the country.

It also comes as Southend Council keeps warning people to stay away from the town - after bosses raised concerns about people travelling for exercise.

Government advice says: "You should minimise time spent outside your home, but you can leave your home to exercise.

"This should be limited to once per day, and you should not travel outside your local area."

A spokesman said: "We continue to take a common sense approach to the Government’s COVID-19 regulations and our officers continue to use their discretion.

"We continue to engage with people, explain the regulations, and encourage them to do the right thing.

"Where reasoned conversation has not been successful we will consider enforcement action.

"We are also continuing to respond to clear and blatant breaches of the regulations and, where they occur, work with our partners to resolve them.

"We know this is a really challenging time for everyone and we want to thank the public for their continuing support in following the regulations.

"Doing the right thing really does make a difference and it gives us more time to do what we do best – help people, keep people safe, and catch criminals."

Ron Woodley, cabinet member for transport, inward and capital investment, said: “We took the decision to close all seafront car parks from New Year’s Eve because we were seeing large numbers of people congregating across the entirety of the seafront, including visitors from outside of the Borough. We therefore needed to take this difficult but right decision to deter this behaviour as best we could.

“Anyone that is parked in contravention of any restrictions will receive a parking ticket from our civil enforcement officers. I understand resident concerns regarding an increase in cars parked on residential streets, but would emphasise that the car park closures are only temporary, and we will reopen car parks once it is safe to do so. We must all work together to reduce the spread of the virus as it is still very much with us, and whilst the vaccination roll out continues at pace across the country.”

The Council’s community safety officers, contractors and parking enforcement officers from APCOA will be working hard to keep people safe and well across the Borough and enforce the seafront parking suspension. Officers are continuing to visit supermarkets/smaller food shops/newsagents across the Borough too, to provide COVID support and advice to these stores.