Health Secretary Matt Hancock has confirmed that anyone who fails to stay at home after discovering they may have coronavirus will face a £10,000 fine.
He dismissed suggestions that this might discourage people from being tested.
The Health Secretary also confirmed that people on low-incomes who need to self-isolate with Covid-19 will be eligible for a £500 payment from next Monday.
In a statement to the House of Commons, he said: “I don’t want anyone having to worry about their finances while they’re doing the right thing. So we will introduce a new £500 isolation support payment for people on low incomes who can’t work because they have tested positive or are asked to self-isolate by NHS Test and Trace.”
But he added: "Just as we’re strengthening our support for those who self-isolate, we propose to strengthen the sanctions for those who do not."
There will be a new legal duty to self-isolate for anyone who tests positive for coronavirus, or is asked to isolate by the NHS test and trace service, with a fine of up to £10,000 for repeat offences, he said.
City of Durham MP Mary Kelly Foy (City of Durham) asked Mr Hancock “if he thinks a £10,000 fine will act as a disincentive to poorer people getting a test?”
Mr Hancock replied: “We’ve put in place the extra £500 in addition to other income that people are getting, for people on low incomes in order to support them to do that self-isolation… I’m confident that people will come forward, of course do the right thing for society, but also the right thing for them.”
The Health Secretary also confirmed plans to ration coronavirus tests, saying this was needed in because demands for tests have risen, and revealed who would be first in the queue for testing.
He said: “Today we’ve published our list of where tests are being prioritised, setting out how we will make sure tests are allocated where they’re needed most.
“First, to support acute clinical care. Second, to support and protect people in care homes.
“Third, NHS staff including GPs and pharmacists.
“Fourth, targeted testing for outbreak management and surveillance studies.
“Fifth, testing for teaching staff with symptoms, so we can keep schools and classes open.
“And then the general public when they have symptoms, prioritising those in areas of high incidence.”
People should only apply for tests if they have symptoms of coronavirus, or had been specifically told to get a test by a medical professional, he said.
It comes as Prime Minister Boris Johnson prepares to make an announcement in the House of Commons tomorrow lunchtime, which could include plans for new nationwide restrictions.
The Prime Minister will tonight meet a small group of Conservative MPs to discuss the situation. Tomorrow, he will host a meeting of the Government's COBRA emergency committee, as well as a meeting of his Cabinet, before making his statement.
