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Covid: £10,000 fines for self-isolation breaches Hancock: Follow Covid rules or they will get tougher
(about 1 hour later)
People in England who refuse an order to self-isolate could be fined up to £10,000, the government has said. Covid restrictions in England will get tougher if rules are not followed, Matt Hancock has warned, as the government introduces £10,000 fines for people who fail to self-isolate.
The new legal duty requires people to self-isolate if they test positive for coronavirus, or are traced as a close contact, from 28 September. The health secretary told the BBC's Andrew Marr show the country was facing a "tipping point and we have a choice".
New measures also include a one-off £500 support payment for those on lower incomes, and a penalty for employers who punish those told to self-isolate. "If everybody follows the rules then we can avoid further national lockdown."
It comes as the PM considers tightening restrictions after a surge in cases. The prime minister is understood to be considering a ban on households mixing, and reducing opening hours for pubs.
A further 4,422 new Covid-19 cases and 27 deaths were reported on Saturday. The move could take the form of a two-week mini lockdown in England - being referred to as a "circuit breaker" - in an aim to stem a recent surge in cases.
A further 4,422 new Covid-19 cases and 27 deaths were reported in the UK on Saturday.
There were 350 new cases reported in Scotland, the highest daily increase since May, 212 new cases in Wales, and 222 in Northern Ireland.There were 350 new cases reported in Scotland, the highest daily increase since May, 212 new cases in Wales, and 222 in Northern Ireland.
Meanwhile, people in England who refuse an order to self-isolate could be fined up to £10,000 from 28 September.
The new legal duty requires people to self-isolate if they test positive for coronavirus, or are traced as a close contact.
New measures also include a one-off £500 support payment for those on lower incomes, and a penalty for employers who punish those told to self-isolate.
Fines will initially start at £1,000 rising to £10,000 for repeat offenders, and for "the most egregious breaches". Up until now, advice to self-isolate has been guidance only.Fines will initially start at £1,000 rising to £10,000 for repeat offenders, and for "the most egregious breaches". Up until now, advice to self-isolate has been guidance only.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson said: "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. Prime Minister Boris Johnson said: "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."
"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."
Health Secretary Matt Hancock said the nation was at a "tipping point" and warned more measures would be brought in unless everyone followed the rules.
"I don't want to see more measures but unfortunately if people don't follow the rules that's how the virus spreads," he told Sky News.
Asked if he would report anyone he knew breaking the rules, he said: "Yes. And everybody should."
More than 19,000 fines have been issued in England and Wales for alleged breaches of coronavirus laws, the attorney general said earlier this week, but more than half have not been paid so far.More than 19,000 fines have been issued in England and Wales for alleged breaches of coronavirus laws, the attorney general said earlier this week, but more than half have not been paid so far.
Earlier this week, Boris Johnson told the Sun he had "never much been in favour of sneak culture, myself" and people should speak to Covid rule-breakers before reporting them to the police.
In contrast, Mr Hancock said he would call the police on his neighbour if they were breaking rules, saying it was "absolutely necessary" to break the chains of transmission.
Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer told Sky News he supported the new fines, saying "a small number of people are breaking the rules and something has to be done about that".Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer told Sky News he supported the new fines, saying "a small number of people are breaking the rules and something has to be done about that".
But he warned it was not a "silver bullet" while the testing system was "barely serviceable".But he warned it was not a "silver bullet" while the testing system was "barely serviceable".
At-a-glance: What are the new rules?At-a-glance: What are the new rules?
Those attracting the highest penalties are described as including those who stop other people from self-isolating, such as an employer who insists a staff member comes to work in violation of an order.Those attracting the highest penalties are described as including those who stop other people from self-isolating, such as an employer who insists a staff member comes to work in violation of an order.
The penalties are in line with those for people who fail to quarantine for 14 days after returning to the UK from a country not on the list of low risk nations.The penalties are in line with those for people who fail to quarantine for 14 days after returning to the UK from a country not on the list of low risk nations.
In Bolton, one returning holidaymaker, who did not self-isolate and instead went on a pub crawl, is being partly blamed for the town's spike in cases.In Bolton, one returning holidaymaker, who did not self-isolate and instead went on a pub crawl, is being partly blamed for the town's spike in cases.
Iron fist in a velvet gloveIron fist in a velvet glove
The prime minister is concerned that existing regulations are too often being flouted - and he has been frustrated that they are not always effectively enforced.The prime minister is concerned that existing regulations are too often being flouted - and he has been frustrated that they are not always effectively enforced.
The government's scientific advisers have suggested as many as four out of five people who should be self-isolating bend or break the rules.The government's scientific advisers have suggested as many as four out of five people who should be self-isolating bend or break the rules.
So, from 28 September in England, fines can be levied.So, from 28 September in England, fines can be levied.
But this iron fist is encased in a velvet glove.But this iron fist is encased in a velvet glove.
Following pilot schemes in some parts of Lancashire, a £500 lump sum will be available to people on benefits who have to self-isolate - or who are on low incomes and who cannot work from home.Following pilot schemes in some parts of Lancashire, a £500 lump sum will be available to people on benefits who have to self-isolate - or who are on low incomes and who cannot work from home.
Regional political leaders, such as Greater Manchester's Mayor Andy Burnham, have been pressing for this.Regional political leaders, such as Greater Manchester's Mayor Andy Burnham, have been pressing for this.
But compliance isn't the only problem.But compliance isn't the only problem.
Delays in delivering test results can affect how quickly the contacts of infected people isolate, even if they want to, or are paid to do the right thing.Delays in delivering test results can affect how quickly the contacts of infected people isolate, even if they want to, or are paid to do the right thing.
The UK government hopes the new measures will be replicated in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland - which all have powers to set their own coronavirus rules.The UK government hopes the new measures will be replicated in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland - which all have powers to set their own coronavirus rules.
Officials said NHS Test and Trace would be in regular contact with individuals told to self-isolate and would report any suspicions that people were not complying to the police and local authorities.Officials said NHS Test and Trace would be in regular contact with individuals told to self-isolate and would report any suspicions that people were not complying to the police and local authorities.
Police will also check compliance in Covid-19 hotspots and among groups considered to be "high-risk" as well as following up reports from members of the public of people who have tested positive but are not self-isolating.Police will also check compliance in Covid-19 hotspots and among groups considered to be "high-risk" as well as following up reports from members of the public of people who have tested positive but are not self-isolating.
Prosecutions could follow in "high-profile and egregious" cases of non-compliance.Prosecutions could follow in "high-profile and egregious" cases of non-compliance.
As with other coronavirus rules, there will be specific exemptions for those who need to escape from illness or harm during their isolation, and for those who require care.As with other coronavirus rules, there will be specific exemptions for those who need to escape from illness or harm during their isolation, and for those who require care.
Changes to support for those in receipt of benefits or on a low income will initially affect up to four million people who cannot work from home in England, the government said.Changes to support for those in receipt of benefits or on a low income will initially affect up to four million people who cannot work from home in England, the government said.
The one-off payment of £500 is above both statutory sick pay of £95.85 per week and a previously-announced additional award of £182 for those told to self-isolate in highest risk areas of intervention.The one-off payment of £500 is above both statutory sick pay of £95.85 per week and a previously-announced additional award of £182 for those told to self-isolate in highest risk areas of intervention.