COVID-19: A fine of £ 10,000 for breaches of self-isolation

The British government said people who reject an order to self-isolate could be fined up to £ 10,000.

The new legal duty requires people to self-isolate if they test positive for the coronavirus, or are traced back to being in close contact, effective September 28.

The new measures also include a one-time payment of £ 500 to those on low incomes, and a penalty for employers who punish those who are required to self-isolate.

It comes The prime minister is considering tighter restrictions After the number of cases increased.

There are 4,422 new cases of Covid-19 and 27 deaths It was reported on Saturday.

she was there 350 new cases reported in Scotland, The highest daily increase since May, 212 new cases in WalesAnd and 222 in Northern Ireland.

Fines will initially start at £ 1,000 and go up to £ 10,000 for repeat offenders and “most egregious violations”. So far, self-isolation advice has only served as guidance.

Announcing the new rules for England, Prime Minister Boris Johnson declared that the best way to fight the virus is for everyone to follow the rules.

“So nobody is underestimating the importance of that, the new regulations will mean you are legally obligated to do so if you have the virus or have been required to do so by the NHS Test and Trace. People who choose to ignore the rules will face heavy fines.

“We need to do everything we can to control the spread of this virus, prevent the most vulnerable people from being infected, protect the National Health Service and save lives,” he said.

At a Glance: What are the new rules?

• People in England asked to self-isolate by the NHS Test and Trace Face fines of £ 1,000 – up to £ 10,000 for worst offenders – If they fail to do so
• this is Includes those who have tested positive And Those identified as close contacts Of confirmed cases
• that It also includes employers Forcing employees to ignore a self-isolation order
• The NHS Test and Trace will do it Regular contact with those who are isolated To check compliance
• Measurements Submission from 28th of September It will be Implemented by the police and local authorities
• Those on benefits or on low incomes who cannot work from home You may receive a single payment of £ 500 If it is self-isolating

Those who are driven to the highest penalties are described as including those who prevent other people from self-isolating, such as an employer who insists that an employee comes to work in violation of an order.

The sanctions are in line with those imposed on people who fail to quarantine for 14 days after returning to the UK from a country that is not on the list of low-risk countries.

In Bolton, A returning vacationer, who didn’t isolate himself and instead went on a bar crawl, is partly blamed For borough rise issues.

Iron grip in velvet glove

The prime minister is concerned that the regulations in place are often derided – and he has been frustrated that they are not always implemented effectively.

Scientific advisors to the government suggested that four out of five people should self-isolate themselves for deviating from or breaking the rules.

Therefore, from 28 September in England fines can be imposed.

But this iron fist is covered in a velvet glove.

By following pilot schemes in some parts of Lancashire, a lump sum of £ 500 would be made available to people receiving benefits who have to self-isolate – or those with low incomes who cannot work from home.

Regional political leaders, such as Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham, were pushing for it.

But compliance isn’t the only problem.

Delays in submitting test results can affect how quickly infected contacts are isolated, even if they want to, or be pushed to do the right thing.

Shadow counselor Anelise Dodds welcomed the “belated” announcement of additional financial aid to support those who must self-isolate.

However, she added, “It should not have taken months for the price of the pence to fall permanently than people on low incomes need more help.”

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

Officials said the NHS Test and Trace will be in regular contact with individuals who have been told to self-isolate and will report any suspicion that people have not complied with police and local authorities.

Police will also verify compliance in Covid-19 hotspots and among groups deemed “high risk” as well as follow up on reports from members of the public about people who have tested positive but are not self-isolating.

It can track prosecutions in “high-profile and outrageous” non-compliance cases.

As with other coronavirus rules, there will be specific exceptions for those who need to escape disease or harm while in isolation, and for those who need care.

The government has said changes to subsidies for those on benefits or on low incomes will initially affect up to four million people who cannot work from home in England.

A one-off payment of £ 500 is higher than the statutory sickness wage of £ 95.85 per week and a previously announced bonus of £ 182 for those required to self-isolate in the most dangerous areas of intervention.

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