£10,000 fines for Covid-19 self-isolation breaches

People in England who refuse an order to self-isolate could be fined up to 10,000 Great Britain pounds, the government has said.

The new legal duty requires people to self-isolate if they test positive for coronavirus, or are traced as close contact, from 28 September.

New measures also include a one-off 500-pound support payment for those on lower incomes and a penalty for employers who punish those told to self-isolate.

It comes as the PM considers tightening restrictions after a surge in cases.

A further 4,422 new Covid-19 cases and 27 deaths were reported on Saturday.

There were 350 new cases reported in Scotland, the highest daily increase since May, 212 new cases in Wales, and 222 in Northern Ireland.

Fines will initially start at 1,000 British pounds rising to 10,000 pounds for repeat offenders, and for "the most egregious breaches". Up until now, advice to self-isolate has been guidance only.

Announcing the new rules for England, Prime Minister Boris Johnson said the best way to fight the virus was for everyone to follow the rules.

"So nobody underestimates just how important this is, new regulations will mean you are legally obliged to do so if you have the virus or have been asked to do so by NHS Test and Trace. People who choose to ignore the rules will face significant fines.

"We need to do all we can to control the spread of this virus, to prevent the most vulnerable people from becoming infected, and to protect the NHS and save lives", he said.

At-a-glance: The new rules

• People in England who are told to self-isolate by NHS Test and Trace face fines of 1,000 pounds - up to 10,000 pounds for the worst offenders - if they fail to do so
• This includes those who test positive and those identified as close contacts of confirmed cases
• It also includes employers who force staff to ignore an order to self-isolate
• NHS Test and Trace will make regular contact with those isolating to check compliance
• The measures apply from 28 September and will be enforced by police and local authorities
• Those in receipt of benefits or on low income and who cannot work from home may receive a 500-pound one-off payment if self-isolating

Shadow chancellor Anneliese Dodds welcomed the "belated" announcement of additional financial assistance to support those who have to self-isolate.

However, she added that "it shouldn't have taken months for the penny to finally drop that people on low incomes needed more help".

The UK government hopes the new measures will be replicated in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland - which all have powers to set their own coronavirus rules.

Officials said NHS Test and Trace would be in regular contact with individuals told to self-isolate and would report any suspicions that people were not complying to the police and local authorities.

Police will also check compliance in Covid-19 hotspots and among groups considered to be "high-risk" as well as following up reports from members of the public of people who have tested positive but are not self-isolating.

Prosecutions could follow in "high-profile and egregious" cases of non-compliance.

As with other coronavirus rules, there will be specific exemptions for those who need to escape from illness or harm during their isolation, and for those who require care.

Changes to support for those in receipt of benefits or on a low income will initially affect up to four million people who cannot work from home in England, the government said.

The one-off payment of 500 pounds is above both statutory sick pay of 95.85 pounds per week and a previously-announced additional award of 182 pounds for those told to self-isolate in highest risk areas of intervention.

(Source: BBC)