[ad_1]
People who have been told to isolate themselves through NHS testing and tracing, their contact details could be passed on to the police, a move some fear could deter people from getting tested for the coronavirus.
Police forces will be able to access information about people “on a case-by-case basis,” so they can find out whether a person has been told to isolate himself, the Department of Health and Social Care (DHCS) said.
England made it a legal requirement that people isolate themselves if they test positive for coronavirus. Those who fail to do so face fines starting at £ 1,000, while repeat offenders or those who commit serious offenses could face fines of up to £ 10,000, according to DHSC.
The department updated its online guidance on Friday on how coronavirus test data will be handled.
People who do not self-isolate “without reasonable justification” could pass their name, address and contact details on to the local authority and then to the police, the DHSC website said.
“This can lead to enforcement action being taken against you, which could include a fine,” the online guide read.
“A police force may request information related to positive Covid-19 tests from the NHS Test & Trace program directly, where they are investigating a report from someone who may not be complying with the mandatory self-isolation period.”
The office of England’s chief medical officer, Professor Chris Whitty, expressed concern that the move would discourage people from getting tested for the virus, the Health Service Journal reported.
People who have received a positive test should be isolated for 10 days after showing symptoms or the date of the test if they do not have symptoms, while other members of their household must isolate themselves for 14 days.
Privacy activists launched a legal challenge to the NHS coronavirus testing and tracing program in late May, as concerns mounted about the subsequent collection of personally identifiable data by the Home Office or other government departments for immigration. or other purposes.
A DHSC spokesperson said: “It is a legal requirement that people who have tested positive for Covid-19 and their close contacts isolate themselves when they are formally notified to do so.
“The Department of Health and Social Assistance has agreed a memorandum of understanding with the Council of National Police Chiefs to allow the police forces to have access, on a case-by-case basis, to information that allows them to know if a specific person has been notified to self-isolate.
“The memorandum of understanding ensures that the information is shared with adequate safeguards and in accordance with the law. No health or test data is shared in this process. “
A spokesman for the Council of National Police Chiefs said: “The police continue to play their role in helping to limit the spread of the coronavirus.
“We will continue to encourage voluntary compliance, but we will enforce regulations and issue FPN [fixed penalty notices] where appropriate and necessary. When people fail to self-isolate and refuse to comply, officers can issue FPNs and order individuals to return to self-isolation.
“Agents will engage with individuals to establish their circumstances, using their discretion whenever reasonable.”
