2nd COVID Wave: UK Announces Fines Starting From Rs 95,000 For Violating Restrictions

London: With several European countries facing a second coronavirus wave, the UK is set to put in place stiff penalties for those who breach rules.

Starting September 28, those who violate COVID-19 restrictions will face fines of up to £10,000 (nearly Rs 9.5 lakh), the Boris Johnson government warned citizens on Sunday.

Fines for violating self-isolation rules will start at £1,000 (Rs 95,000), but could increase to up to £10,000 for repeat offences and for those who prevent others from self-isolating. This includes companies which threaten self-isolating staff with redundancy if they don’t report to work.

“The best way we can fight this virus is by everyone following the rules and self-isolating if they’re at risk of passing on coronavirus. And so nobody underestimates just how important this is, new regulations will mean you are legally obliged to do so if you have the virus or have been asked to do so,” Johnson said.

Fresh curbs will be imposed in London, while several towns and areas in north England and the Midlands have been placed under local lockdowns. Another national lockdown hasn’t been ruled out either.

“This country faces a tipping point. We face a choice. If everybody follows the rules – and we’ll be increasingly stringent on the people who are not following the rules – then we can avoid further national lockdowns,” Health secretary Matt Hancock said on Sunday.

On Saturday, nearly 4,500 new COVID positive cases were reported in the UK.