Covid marshals use yellow cards against lockdown-breakers

Marshals cannot enforce coronavirus legislation but can speak to those breaching regulations and give advice

A Covid marshal flashes a yellow card as a warning to people believed to be breaching coronavirus regulations (Ripped Gym/Facebook)

Covid marshals have been filmed using yellow cards, like the ones used on football pitches, as a warning to people they believed were breaking coronavirus lockdown rules over the weekend.

The footage was recorded by people who told the marshals they had been “walking around the park”, but it is unclear where the video was taken.

A marshal can be heard saying they issue a yellow card when people “breach the regulations” and said the person filming had broken the rules because they stood and watched “a protest up the road”.

In the clip, one of the officers, who both wore in red security vests and face masks, flashed a yellow card at the group and said: “Carry on walking, if you won’t leave I will give you a yellow card”.

When the person filming asks twice what a yellow card was, a second officer said: “A yellow card is what we give you when you breach the regulations.

“You have also been to a protest up the road,” said the officer, to which the person filming asked: “Have I?”

The officer continued: “You’ve been walking round the park where the protest’s been taking place and you’ve been stood there watching, therefore you’ve breached the Covid regulations because you’re not exercising, you’re in a gathering.

“We issue a yellow card as a first warning and we issue the second yellow card as a final warning and that’s when police will come and enforce it.”

Other members of the group insisted they had only been walking in the park, and asked the marshal what law prevented them from walking or protesting. The minute-long video ends before the marshal replies.

Covid marshals do not have enforcement powers, but are tasked with giving out advice and providing hand sanitiser and face masks. They can also speak to people who are in breach of regulations.

According to local media, the yellow card system is being used by Covid marshals in Gloucestershire, and those who repeatedly break the rules will be issued a yellow card that could lead to a fine from the police or their local council.

Responses to the video, which was shared on Facebook, ranged from incredulity to mocking of the marshals, who were deployed at the beginning of November before the current lockdown, and will remain in place until April 2021.

Under current lockdown restrictions in England, households are not allowed to mix outdoors or indoors. People can only visit an outdoor space by themselves, with the people they live with, with their support bubble, or with one other person from another household if they are by themselves.