New Coronavirus Laws Regarding Self-Isolation Come Into Force

New Covid-19 regulations have come into force in England today which set out mandatory self-isolation periods. The Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) (Self-Isolation) (England) Regulations 2020, apply to those who have:

• Received a positive Covid-19 test;
• Live with someone who has tested positive or has Covid-19 symptoms; or
• Have been told to self-isolate through the NHS Test and Trace system.

Test and Trace Support Payment scheme

Those who are required to self-isolate, on low incomes and unable to work from home will from today be provided with financial support through the Test and Trace Support Payment scheme which provides a one-off payment of £500.

According to the Government, local council’s across England are currently setting up Test and Trace Support Payment schemes, and they should be in place by 12^th October (those who are eligible for the payments between today and 12^th October will be able to receive backdated payments).

Fines for breaking self-isolation restrictions

Additionally, from today, those who break the new self-isolation rules could face fines starting at £1,000, rising up to £10,000 for repeat offenders and more serious breaches.

Under the new legislation (regulation 7), it is also an offence for employers to knowingly allow one of their workers or agency workers to go anywhere other than where the person is self-isolating. This means that employers who know their employees should be self-isolating will be responsible for preventing them from working (except where they can work from home). If an employer fails to do this, then they could receive a fine of at least £1,000.

Workers are obligated to inform their employers if they have to self-isolate under the new laws (regulation 8).

Other measures

The Government has also introduced a number of other, additional measures to ensure that everyone is complying with the new self-isolation restrictions, which include:

• Members of the NHS Test and Trace system having greater contact with those who are self-isolating.
• In the virus hotspot areas of England and in high-risk groups, Police resources will be checking compliance.
• Investigating, and potentially prosecuting, instances where a third party has identified another person, or persons, who are not complying with the new restrictions.