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Video report by ITV News political correspondent Shehab Khan
Police officers are given data on people who were told to self-isolate Due to Covid, people will be less likely to be tested, an expert warned ITV News.
However, Cabinet Office Minister Michael Gove has advocated providing the police with test and trace data from the NHS, saying the officers will operate in a “very proportionate manner”.The Department of Health and Welfare (DHSC) said police forces will have access to information “on a case-by-case basis,” allowing them to know if a person has been told to isolate himself.
Those who do not self-isolate “without reasonable justification” could have their name, address and contact details transferred to the local authority and then to the police, per DHSC guidelines.
“This can lead to enforcement action being taken against you, which could include a fine,” he adds.
However, a behavioral scientist whose work feeds the government’s Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (Sage) said she “had no idea why the government is following this strategy.”
Professor Susan Michie told ITV News: “Evidence suggests this will make people less likely to get tested, less likely to give their contacts to be tracked, and less likely to download the app.”
He continued, “Steadily, the government’s behavioral science advisory committee has said that if we want to increase adherence, what we need to do is increase support for and empower people, not threaten to punish or blame, so this it is the opposite of what must happen. “
Professor Michie added: “I have no idea why the government is following this strategy.
“Not just behavioral science, but many other organizations and experts will testify that this is counterproductive to what is needed.
“At this critical stage of the pandemic, we need to maximize the number of people who recognize their symptoms, go and get tested, give contacts to the tracers and also isolate when asked and to facilitate all of that, to download the app. This will go directly against those goals. “
People in England are legally required to isolate themselves if they test positive for Covid-19, with fines starting at £ 1,000 for those who don’t, and increasing to £ 10,000 for repeat offenders or serious offenses.
Anyone who tests positive should be self-isolating for 10 days after showing symptoms or the test date if no symptoms are present, while members of their household should be self-isolating for 14 days.
However, there are fears that the threat of police action and fines could deter people from getting tested if they show symptoms of coronavirus.
The Health Service Journal (HSJ) reported that the office of England’s chief medical officer, Professor Chris Whitty, feared that the threat of police action could deter people from getting tested.
When asked if this was counterproductive, Cabinet Office Minister Mr. Gove said that it is appropriate that action be taken in cases of “persistent, flagrant and deliberate” breaches of the rules.
He told the BBC’s Andrew Marr on Sunday: “I think actually the behavioral effects show that most people, the vast majority of people, want to be part of a national effort to fight the virus.
And, of course, there will be some, a very, very small minority, who will be, you know, indifferent to the consequences of their actions.
“But the other thing is that the police, to be fair to them, are running things. from what I can see, in a very proportionate way.
“They get involved and explain a lot before enforcing.
“We all know that people make innocent mistakes and a suitable word can mean that any of us can correct that innocent mistake.
“But when there is a persistent, flagrant and deliberate violation of the rules, then it is appropriate to take action.”
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 Chiefs of National Police 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-isolating .
“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. “
