From today, people across England will be required by law to self-isolate if they test positive for coronavirus or are contacted by NHS Test and Trace - and face fines if they disregard the rules.
- We all have a duty to follow the rules and self-isolate if instructed to. This is one of the most effective ways to reduce the spread of the virus and keep the number of new infections down.
- For those who fail to do so, the law will be enforced. New fines starting at £1,000 and rising to £10,000 for repeat offenders come into force today, underlining our commitment to not allow those who break the rules to reverse the hard-won progress made by the law-abiding majority.
- And recognising that self-isolation is one of the most powerful tools for controlling the transmission, a new Test and Trace Support payment of £500 will ensure that those on low incomes are able to self-isolate without worry about their finances.
- These simple steps can make a huge difference to reduce the spread of the virus, but we will not hesitate to put in place further measures if cases continue to rise.
