From today (28 Sept), everyone in England has a legal duty to comply with an instruction to self-isolate in order to help reduce the spread of the Coronavirus.
The measure was announced this morning by the Government and requires that people must self-isolate if they test positive for Coronavirus or are contacted by NHS Track and told to self-isolate.
Those who ignore the instruction to self-isolate – thereby putting people in their community at risk of infection – face a fine of £1,000, increasing to £10,000 for repeat offenders.
Cumbria Constabulary’s Assistant Chief Constable, and Chair of Cumbria’s Strategic Co-ordinating Group, Andrew Slattery, said: “From today, ignoring an instruction to self-isolate is against the law.
“The financial penalty for those who ignore such an instruction is high but reflects the seriousness of the offence. Those who leave their self-isolation whilst infectious put the lives of other people in their community at risk.
“It is an unacceptable act, particularly at a time when the number of infections is rising rapidly.
“Whilst I am confident Cumbrian people know what is at stake and will abide by an instruction to self-isolate, I ask everyone to take personal responsibility for doing whatever they can to limit the spread of the virus.”
People are reminded to limit social interactions, maintain social distancing, work from home when possible, where a mask when in indoor settings and remember to wash your hands thoroughly and regularly.
At the weekend, Cumbria did not see scenes publicised in cities elsewhere of large numbers of people congregating outside bars and pubs at 10pm.
Assistant Chief Constable Slattery is calling on people to continue to act responsibly and sensibly.
He said: “We were pleased to see that, other than a small number of isolated incidents, the vast majority of people complied with the new restrictions this weekend and the pictures seen elsewhere of masses of people congregating from 10pm in the streets was not replicated here in Cumbria.
“We did receive a small number of calls to house parties in the county but, on each occasion, the people in attendance had either dispersed prior to our arrival or swiftly upon our arrival.
“I am very grateful for the way the vast majority of licensees have complied with the new regulations and closed on time. We are concerned about the potential for gatherings on the street at 10pm and will continue to monitor this and respond where required.”
