Sep 29th, 2020
5 mins
In order to ensure compliance and reduce spread of COVID-19, as from today, people in England will be required by law to self-isolate if they test positive or are contacted by NHS Test and Trace. This will initially be England-only, but the government are engaging with devolved administrations to explore opportunities for a UK-wide scheme seeking as much alignment as possible.
Fines for those breaking the rules now in place starting at £1,000 and increasing up to £10,000 for repeat offenders.
Support will be available for people on low incomes who are unable to work while self-isolating through the £500 Test and Trace Support Payment. Local authorities will be working quickly to set up Test and Trace Support Payment schemes and we expect them to be in place by 12 October. Those who are told to self-isolate from today will receive backdated payments, if they are eligible, once the scheme is set up in their local authority. Individuals will receive this payment on top of any Statutory Sick Pay or benefits they receive. Currently individuals in employment who are self-isolating and cannot work from home are entitled to Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) if they earn more than £120 a week from a single employer. Depending on their circumstances, they might also be able to claim Universal Credit and/or new style Employment and Support Allowance.
The criteria for self-isolation payment is:
- Persons who have been instructed to self-isolate by NHS Test and Trace, either because they’ve tested positive or are the close contact of a positive case
- Those who are employed or self-employed
- Those unable to work from home and will lose income as a result
- Those currently receiving Universal Credit, Working Tax Credit, income-based Employment and Support Allowance, income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance, Income Support, Housing Benefit and/or Pension Credit
Users of the official NHS COVID-19 contact tracing app will remain anonymous, and the government cannot force them to self-isolate or identify themselves if they are not self-isolating. The app will advise a user to self-isolate if they have come into close contact with someone who has tested positive for coronavirus. Users should follow that advice to protect their loved ones and stop the spread of the virus.
To read the full guidance, please see:
