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People in England who refuse a self-separation order could face a fine of up to 10,000, the government has said.
For a new legal duty, people need to self-isolate from September 28 if they test positive for coronavirus, or are detected as a close contact.
The new measures include a one-off £ 500 aid payment for low-income earners, and penalties for employers who punish people who ask to separate.
The Prime Minister has been considering tougher sanctions after a spike in cases.
A further 4,422 new Covid-19 cases and 27 deaths were reported on Saturday.
There have been 350 new cases in Scotland, a daily increase since May, 212 in Wales and 222 in Northern Ireland.
Penalties for repeat offenders and for the “most obscure breach” will initially start at 1000. So far, self-separation advice has only been a guide.
Announcing the new rules for England, Prime Minister Boris Johnson said the best way to fight the virus is for everyone to follow the rules.
“So no one will underestimate how important this is. The new rules will mean that if you have a virus or have been told to do so by NHS tests and traces, the laws you choose to ignore will pay a significant penalty.” .
“We need to do everything possible to control the spread of the virus, prevent the most vulnerable people from becoming infected and protect the NHS and save lives,” he said.
At a Glance: What Are the New Rules?
- People in England who are told to self-isolate by NHS tests and traces Penalty of worst 1000 – up to £ 10,000 for worst offenders – If they fail to do so
- This Including those who test positive And Called close contacts Is a confirmed case
- That Employers are also included Which forces employees to disregard self-separation orders
- The NHS will create tests and traces Regular contact with those different Check compliance
- Steps Apply by September 28th And will be Enforced by police and local authorities
- In the pursuit of benefits or those with low incomes and who cannot work from home A one-payment fee of £ 500 can be received If self-isolation
People with the highest penalty attraction are described as those who stop isolating others, such as an employer who insists on an employee member coming to work in violation of an order.
Penalties are appropriate for people who fail to be quarantined for 14 days after returning to the UK from a country not on the list of low-risk countries.
In Bolton, a returning holiday maker who did not want to self-destruct and instead went on a pub crawl is being partially blamed for the city spike in the case.
Iron knob in velvet gloves
The Prime Minister is concerned that existing rules are often violated – and he is frustrated that they are not always effectively enforced.
Scientific advisers to the government have suggested as many as four out of five people who should turn to self-isolation or break the rules.
Therefore, from 28 September in England, fines can be levied.
But this iron fist is wrapped in velvet gloves.
Following pilot schemes in some parts of Lancashire, people will receive a lump sum of £ 500 on the benefits of self-separation – or low-income and unable to work from home.
Regional political leaders such as Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham are pushing for this.
But compliance is not the only problem.
Delays in delivering test results can have an impact on how quickly contacts of infected people are isolated, whether they want to or are paid to do the right thing.
Shadow Chancellor Nelis Doddis has welcomed the “delayed” announcement of additional financial support to support self-separators.
However, he added, “It shouldn’t take months for money to finally run out and people with low incomes need more help.”
The UK government hopes new measures will be made in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland – all of which have the power to set their own coronavirus rules.
Officials said the NHS test and trace will be in regular contact with individuals called for self-isolation and people will report suspicions that police and local authorities are not complying.
Police will investigate compliance with the reports of members of Covid-1 hot hotspots and “high-risk” groups, as well as those who test positive but do not self-isolate.
Complaints can occur in “high-profile and vague” cases of non-compliance.
Like other coronavirus rules, there will be certain exemptions for those who need to avoid illness or damage during their isolation, and for those who need care.
Changes in benefits or low-income support will initially affect four million people in England who cannot work from home, the government said.
Weekly unilateral payment of 500 per week. The legal illness of … 85 of is a payment above the previously announced additional award of -182 for those who have been asked to self-isolate in the highest risk areas of pay and intervention.
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