People asked to self-isolate by NHS Wales contact tracers following a positive coronavirus test or close contact with a confirmed case will be legally required to do so, the First Minister has announced.
Mark Drakeford on Friday announced that coronavirus regulations in Wales will be strengthened, including:
- a new offence of knowingly giving false information to the Test Trace Protect service;
- a new legal duty to self-isolate for up to 14 days if required to do so, and;
- a new duty for employers to ensure they cannot prevent an employee from following advice to self-isolate.
The package of rules was announced alongside two new financial support schemes including a new £500 support payment to people on low incomes required to self-isolate. You can read more about that by going here.
The new rules will be enforceable by fixed penalty notices. Mr Drakeford said the amounts of those fines will be finalised this weekend to ensure that the "level of penalties we are proposing are proportionate and do the job we want them to do".
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Keep up to date with all the latest coronavirus news, including Friday's briefing for Wales led by Mr Drakeford, by going here.
