What you can and can't do from today as new coronavirus rules come into force

New coronavirus rules are in place from today, Monday, September 28, with fines of up to £10,000 for those breaking them.
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People are now required by law to self-isolate should they test positive for Covid-19 or be told to do so by the NHS Test and Trace service.

Fines will start at £1,000, rising to £10,000 for repeat offenders or the ‘most egregious breaches’, and will also apply to people who prevent others from self-isolating such as employers threatening self-isolating staff with redundancy.

Anyone caught breaking the new coronavirus laws could be fined up to £10,000 (Photo by OLI SCARFF/AFP via Getty Images)Anyone caught breaking the new coronavirus laws could be fined up to £10,000 (Photo by OLI SCARFF/AFP via Getty Images)
Anyone caught breaking the new coronavirus laws could be fined up to £10,000 (Photo by OLI SCARFF/AFP via Getty Images)

Anyone who knowingly provides false information about close contacts to test and trace service after testing positive can also be fined.

To ensure people comply, the Government says test and trace call handlers will be making regular contact with those self-isolating, with local authorities and police forces alerted about suspected breaches.

Tip-offs from third parties will also be investigated, with an extra £60 million pledged to support additional enforcement activity by councils and police.

To help people comply, a £500 grant will now be available to those on low incomes who are required to self-isolate and cannot work from home, with just under four million people across England who are receiving benefits being eligible for the payment.

The maximum number of people at weddings and civil partnership ceremonies and receptions has also been cut from 30 to 15.

The Government has said the new measures are expected to remain in place until March, with coronavirus infection rate in the UK continuing to rise and many areas already in local lockdown.