New regulations have been introduced in England which require employers and employees to enforce self-isolation where applicable. Breaching the regulations amounts to a criminal offence and could lead to a fine of up to £10,000.
If you are being prosecuted under the new coronavirus regulations, please contact us now at Ashmans Solicitors.
What are the new rules?
The Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) (Self-Isolation) (England) Regulations 2020 came into effect on 28 September 2020. They make it the responsibility of employers and employees to ensure that self-isolation is enforced, if an employee or agency worker has tested positive for coronavirus, or has been in close contact with someone who has tested positive.
The regulations state that a worker must inform their employer of their requirement to self-isolate as soon as is reasonably practical. Subsequently, the employer must not allow the worker to attend any place connected to the worker’s employment — except the place from which they are self-isolating. Therefore, working from home is permitted, so long as you remain in situ.
What happens if you break the rules?
The new regulations apply to employers, employees and agency workers.
Failure to comply with the regulations amounts to a criminal offence and may result in a prosecution for both the worker and the employer. Charges may be laid against a corporate body, in addition to any officer of the company who consented to the act, was in connivance, or was neglectful. A breach may also result in a fixed penalty notice of £1,000 for a first offence and up to £10,000 for subsequent offences.
Along with these penalties, companies will no doubt suffer reputational damage, in the event of a conviction.
Speak to our solicitors
The laws relating to coronavirus are complex and are continually evolving. We specialise in criminal law and remain at the forefront of legal developments. If you are prosecuted under the Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) (Self-Isolation) (England) Regulations 2020, please contact our criminal defence solicitors. We can defend any actions you did — or did not — take as an employer, an employee or an agency worker.
Contact us now for a free initial enquiry. You can call us on 0333 009 6275. We are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
You can also email us on enquiries@ashmanssolicitors.com or complete our Free Online Enquiry Form and we will contact you.
Originally published at https://www.ashmanssolicitors.com on October 31, 2020.
