Priyanka Chopra insists she DIDN’T break UK Covid lockdown

Locked-down Britons slammed actress Priyanka Chopra tonight as she and her mother were let off attending a hair salon after saying it was for a film – as officers were seen stopping normal members of the public for less.

The Indian actress, 38, was seen by officers after they discovered her attending an appointment at the Josh Wood Colour salon in Notting Hill.

Tonight it emerged they had escaped a fine after showing police paperwork stating the hair colouring session was for a film.

A spokesperson for the actress said: ‘Following government guidance, Priyanka Chopra Jonas’ hair was coloured by Josh Wood for the purpose of the film she is currently shooting.

‘The salon was opened privately for the production and everyone involved had been tested and followed both the DCMS working guidelines and the film production regulations.

‘As per Film London and current government advice, by continuing to follow the approved COVID-19 guidance, Film and TV production can continue in the Capital and locations can continue to accommodate shoots and recces that are carried out in-line with the guidance.’ 

Here they are: Police arrived and pressed on the buzzer while Priyanka was inside

Priyanka Chopra was seen on Wednesday evening when police found her attending the Josh Wood Colour salon in Notting Hill

Priyanka Chopra and Nick Jonas are married and are currently living in London, which is under strict lockdown with the UK

Priyanka Chopra and Nick Jonas are married and are currently living in London, which is under strict lockdown with the UK

Priyanka Chopra Jonas and Duchess of Sussex Meghan Markle are close friends and she attended the royal wedding to Harry

Priyanka Chopra Jonas and Duchess of Sussex Meghan Markle are close friends and she attended the royal wedding to Harry

Priyanka is currently living in London with her husband Nick Jonas, 28, and was pictured arriving at the shop alongside her mother Madhu before two police officers arrived in a squad car and appeared to order the customers out.

The pictures sparked disbelief from members of the public who have been subject to increasingly tight lockdown rules. 

Fans turned on the star today, questioning online if she thought she was above the rules.

One directly contacted her on Twitter, asking ‘Why are you and your mum pictured at a salon getting your hair done when it’s against the rules in the UK right now??!!

‘Why are the rules different for you, who do you think you are?’

Sarah Nichols said: ‘Getting so fed up with “celebrities” thinking they don’t have to do this lockdown like the rest of us.

‘Why should Priyanka Chopra be able to get her hair done. Why does some swanky London salon think it’s above the rules. GRRRRRRR’

Another added: ‘Why should Priyanka think she is above the law and flout the regulations? Selfish beyond belief. I hope Josh Wood her stylist gets £10k fine.’

A spokesperson for the Met Police told MailOnline: ‘Police were alerted at around 17:40hrs on Wednesday, 6 January to reports of a Covid breach taking place within a hairdressers on Lansdowne Mews, Notting Hill. 

‘Officers attended and the owner of the salon was given a verbal reminder of the important need to comply with all regulations regarding Covid-19 and signposted to sources of advice. No fixed penalty notices were issued.’

In attendance: The police were seemingly tipped off about the salon's opening

In attendance: The police were seemingly tipped off about the salon’s opening

Touching down: The squad car arrived during Priyanka's appointment

Touching down: The squad car arrived during Priyanka’s appointment 

Rules: Government guidelines on hair salons in lockdown state: 'Personal care facilities such as hair, beauty, tanning and nail salons. Tattoo parlours, spas, massage parlours, body and skin piercing services must also close. These services should not be provided in other people’s homes'

Rules: Government guidelines on hair salons in lockdown state: ‘Personal care facilities such as hair, beauty, tanning and nail salons. Tattoo parlours, spas, massage parlours, body and skin piercing services must also close. These services should not be provided in other people’s homes’

Members of the public were infuriated at seeing the actress going for a hair appointment when others are unable to visit

Members of the public were infuriated at seeing the actress going for a hair appointment when others are unable to visit

Law on hairdressers closing during England’s third lockdown 

All personal care facilities across England such as hair, beauty, tanning and nail salons had to close under the third national lockdown which became law at 0.01am yesterday.

Tattoo parlours, spas, massage parlours, body and skin piercing services also had to close.

Government guidance adds that these services ‘should not be provided in other people’s homes’.

The applicable law is the Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) (No. 3) and (All Tiers) (England) (Amendment) Regulations 2021.

There is no exemption set out within the law for hair salons opening for private appointments.

Before the lockdown, hair salons were allowed to open in regions operating in tier one, two or three of local restrictions – but had to shut in tier four areas.

However there is an exception for a business providing services which ‘incorporate personal care services and treatments required by those with disabilities’. 

On Monday, Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced that the UK was being plunged into national lockdown with immediate effect, meaning the visit was an apparent blatant violation of the rules, which state that business owners could be fined up to £10,000 for breaking the rules. 

Government guidelines on hair salons in lockdown state: ‘Personal care facilities such as hair, beauty, tanning and nail salons. Tattoo parlours, spas, massage parlours, body and skin piercing services must also close. These services should not be provided in other people’s homes’.

Despite the new rules, Priyanka still made her way to the salon.  

Before arriving, she wrapped up in a warm winter coat as she walked with her mother, who was walking along with Priyanka’s beloved dog, Diana, a chihuahua mix, that often features on her social media accounts.  

When the pair, alongside an aide were inside the shop, the police arrived in their squad car and stood at the door speaking to those inside the salon, before Priyanka then headed out shortly with a bag of Josh Wood goodies.  

On Monday, Britons were warned they ‘should expect more enforcement’ from police under the new lockdown. John Apter, chairman of the Police Federation of England and Wales, predicted there would be more fines handed out and less tolerance from officers as there are ‘no excuses’ for not knowing the rules this time. 

But he also warned police could be cast as ‘villains of the pandemic’ as they bear the brunt of the public’s lockdown fatigue and frustration. Mr Apter said the record number of fines handed out on New Year’s Eve demonstrated that increasing numbers of young people were prepared to break the rules. 

Arrival: On Monday, Britons were warned they 'should expect more enforcement' from police under the new lockdown. John Apter, chairman of the Police Federation of England and Wales, predicted there would be more fines handed out and less tolerance from officers as there are 'no excuses' for not knowing the rules this time

Arrival: On Monday, Britons were warned they ‘should expect more enforcement’ from police under the new lockdown. John Apter, chairman of the Police Federation of England and Wales, predicted there would be more fines handed out and less tolerance from officers as there are ‘no excuses’ for not knowing the rules this time

Hundreds of partygoers were slapped with fines of up to £10,000. Mr Apter said, after almost a year of enforcing Covid restrictions, many officers are ‘knackered’.

He added of the lockdown: ‘It will be easier for police to have one consistent rule for people to follow across the whole country, which means it is easier for people to understand and comply with what is expected of them…. 

‘People should expect to see more enforcement as a consequence because there really are no excuses for not knowing the rules this time. 

‘But, where it is different from March is we now have a hardcore element who are against the rules. We have anti-lockdown, anti-vaccine protests to deal with and… crime levels have increased from March. The majority of the public will do what is expected of them, but I think there is a real issue over virus and lockdown fatigue…

‘There is a real frustration and the police often deal with the sharp end of that as people are angry when challenged.’ He added: ‘More and more people are dying and we have to play our part in bringing infection rates under control.

‘The public will expect the police to act against those wilfully breaking the rules and putting others at risk.’

Celebrity stylist: Josh Wood was in attendance at his salon and was scolded by police but not given a fine

Celebrity stylist: Josh Wood was in attendance at his salon and was scolded by police but not given a fine

Celebrity stylist: Josh Wood was in attendance at his salon and was scolded by police but not given a fine

Off out: Priyanka wrapped up in a warm winter coat as she walked with her mother, who was walking along with Priyanka's beloved dog, Diana, a chihuahua mix, that often features on her social media accounts

Off out: Priyanka wrapped up in a warm winter coat as she walked with her mother, who was walking along with Priyanka’s beloved dog, Diana, a chihuahua mix, that often features on her social media accounts

Priyanka and Joe are currently residing in the UK capital while she films her new movie Text For You, which the boy band star was seen filming a cameo for last month. 

The stylist frequently colours Priyanka’s hair and in November, she shared a selfie whilst getting her hair styled by Josh with the caption ‘finishing touches’ while shooting her upcoming movie.

Text For You follows a young woman as she grieves the tragic loss of her fiancé and decides to send romantic messages to his old phone number.

Out and about: She was joined by her mother Madhu, with whom she is famously close

Happy days: Priyanka and Madhu pictured in 2019

Out and about: She was joined by her mother Madhu, with whom she is famously close

Comfort: She sported a tracksuit and warm coat and grabbed a takeaway coffee

Comfort: She sported a tracksuit and warm coat and grabbed a takeaway coffee

Comfort: She sported a tracksuit and warm coat and grabbed a takeaway coffee 

As she does so, the woman begins to form an attachment to the man who the phone number was reassigned to, and who is also struggling with a similar heartbreak. The pair meet and can’t deny the connection they feel with one another, and decide to give love another chance.

Priyanka takes on the lead role in the film and stars in it alongside Highlander star Sam Heughan, while her other co-stars include Celine Dion, Russell Tovey, and Omid Djalili.

Celine is set to also write and sing music for the film, which will also serve as a catalyst in the couple’s budding relationship. The film is an English remake of the German film SMS Fur Dich, which itself is based on the novel of the same name by Sofie Cramer.

New role: Priyanka takes on the lead role in the film and stars in it alongside Highlander star Sam Heughan, while her other co-stars include Celine Dion, Russell Tovey, and Omid Djalili

New role: Priyanka takes on the lead role in the film and stars in it alongside Highlander star Sam Heughan, while her other co-stars include Celine Dion, Russell Tovey, and Omid Djalili

New role: Priyanka takes on the lead role in the film and stars in it alongside Highlander star Sam Heughan, while her other co-stars include Celine Dion, Russell Tovey, and Omid Djalili

Read more at DailyMail.co.uk