ROGUE employers who try to force people self-isolating into work will face £1,000 fines from today.
Employers are already banned from requiring self-isolating employees to come to work, but now it will be illegal and people will face tough punishments.
Fresh laws brought in in England to try and stop the spread of the bug mean those on low incomes can also claim £500 if they need to stay home over coming into contact with someone with the virus.
It is now a crime to knowingly allow workers to attend anywhere other than the home they are isolating in.
There are a handful of exemptions that people are able to leave their homes – but if you’ve got no excuse it will cost you at least £1,000 too.
You must tell your employer you have to self-isolate as well, or that will set you back £50.
Anyone with coronavirus symptoms should be remaining at home and isolating for 10 days.
Anyone who has had close contact with them – more than 15 minutes within 2metres – should isolate too.
Employers can be fined up to £10,000 for repeat offenders and forcing them to work anyway.
This is a fixed penalty notice but could also lead to prosecution in the courts.
Directors and managers could be prosecuted personally if they are found to be negligent.
