With effect from today (28 September 2020), self-isolation will be a legal requirement for those who have tested positive for COVID-19 or have been asked to isolate by NHS Test and Trace due to being in close contact with someone who has tested positive.

Financial support

‘Test and Trace Support’ payments will be available for people with low incomes who are unable to work from home and have lost income as a result. This package is available from 28 September and will include all who are in receipt of benefits in England. Local Authorities are currently working on the practicalities of the support scheme which is intended to be in place by 12 October with payments backdated as required.

Fines

New fines for those breaching self-isolation rules will start at £1,000 but could increase to up to £10,000 for repeat offences. Those preventing others from self-isolating will face the same penalties. This means that employers will face these fines if they force employees who should be self-isolating to come into the workplace or, any other place other than the designated site of self-isolation.