Police to visit homes of self-isolating Brits in coronavirus crackdown as £10k fines come into force for rule breakers
POLICE will visit the homes of people who are self-isolating in a coronavirus crackdown as £10,000 fines come into force for rule breakers.
Those ordered to quarantine under new coronavirus rules beginning from today will be checked up on by door-knocking cops.
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Home Secretary Priti Patel warned that ministers "will not allow those who break the rules to reverse the hard-won progress made by the law-abiding majority".
Cops will "check compliance" with the new rules, and £10,000 fines will be given out to those who do not self-isolate or employers who force staff to return to work.
Police will investigate claims that people are flouting self-isolation rules, including tip-offs by neighbours.
Whitehall sources confirmed that police would be expected to investigate calls made to its 101 non-emergency number.
It is thought police resources will be targeted most in areas where infection rates are high or rapidly increasing.
Ms Patel said: "These new measures are about saving lives. Everyone must take personal responsibility and self-isolate if they test positive or if told to do so by NHS Test and Trace.
"For those who fail to do so, the police will enforce the law. These new fines are a clear sign that we will not allow those who break the rules to reverse the hard-won progress made by the law-abiding majority."
On Tuesday, Boris Johnson announced £10,000 fines for Brits who fail to isolate.
People can also be fined for flouting the recent 'Rule of Six' measures - or for breaking a mandatory rule on wearing face coverings in shops, which came into force on July 24.
All pubs, bars, restaurants and other hospitality venues across England must close at 10pm under curfew rules.
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Large crowds were pictured outside pubs across Britain over the weekend after punters were kicked out after 10pm.
Social distancing went out of the window as the hoards mingled in shops and on pavements, with cops trying to break up the crowds.
The UK could be plunged into a second national lockdown if restrictions are flouted, Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab has warned.
