Failure to Self-Isolate After COVID-19 Exposure Could Lead to £10K Fine

A self-isolation fine of up to £10,000 may now be imposed on people in England who refuse to quarantine themselves as the government tries to lessen the blow of another potential wave of COVID-19.

Self-isolation rules are amping up by becoming legal requirements, not just guidelines.

Starting 28 September 2020, anyone who does not follow the self-isolation rules after testing positive for COVID-19 will be slapped with a £1,000 fine and those who continue to break the rules will face a £10,000 self-isolation fine, Metro reported. The new self-isolation rules will also apply to people who are advised to self-quarantine after being notified by National Health Service (NHS) Test and Trace that they have come into contact with a coronavirus-positive person.

Lower-income individuals who have to endure losing pay when following the self-isolation rules will be eligible to receive a one-time £500 payment to support their losses, Metro reported. According to government officials, about 4 million people who receive benefits will be eligible for the support payment following the loss of income if they have to follow self-isolation rules.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson said the self-isolation fine is crucial to control the spread of COVID-19, as new cases are escalating every week.

“The best way we can fight this virus is by everyone following the rules and self-isolating if they’re at risk of passing on coronavirus,” Johnson said, according to Metro. “And 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,” Johnson added. “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.”

There are talks amongst government officials about enforcing the self-isolation rules to Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales. 

The self-isolation fine will also be applicable to people who prevent others from self-quarantining, according to Metro.

For example, an employer who demands workers come into the business while they are supposed to be self-isolating will be subject to a fine.

NHS Test and Trace will be actively in contact with people who are advised to follow the self-isolation rules. The programme will be reporting any doubts that people were following the rules to local authorities. Compliance checks in highly affected areas will be conducted by police. 

The guidance in place demands that people who have contracted the virus stay home for 10 days minimum after experiencing symptoms, and people in the same household need to quarantine for 14 days, according to a Reuters report.

People who test positive for coronavirus need to give details about people they have had contact with so those people can self-isolate, as well.

In extreme cases of non-compliance, prosecutions may be brought, according to the Bournemouth Echo.

Of course, there are exceptions to the COVID-19 rules.

Some people who need to escape illness or violence or who require care during self-isolation will be able to break the rules.

The rule of six, which limits social gatherings to six people or fewer, went into effect Monday, according to Metro. That rule, along other measures imposed to try to slow the spread of COVID-19, mean by this week about 13.5 million people in the U.K. are living with some form of coronavirus-related restriction.

What is your opinion about the £10,000 self-isolation fine? Do you think repeat offenders should be fined this amount, or is it too harsh? Tell us what you think in the comments.

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