The Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) (Self-Isolation) (England) Regulations 2020

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The Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) (Self-Isolation) (England) Regulations 2020
Statutory Instrument
Citation2020 No. 1045
Introduced byMatt Hancock, Secretary of State for Health and Social Care
Territorial extentEngland
Dates
Made27 September 2020
Laid before Parliament28 September 2020
Commencement28 September 2020 (2020-09-28)
Other legislation
Made underPublic Health (Control of Disease) Act 1984
Status: Amended
Text of the The Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) (Self-Isolation) (England) Regulations 2020 as in force today (including any amendments) within the United Kingdom, from legislation.gov.uk.

The Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) (Self-Isolation) (England) Regulations 2020 (SI 2020/1045) is a statutory instrument (SI) made on 27 September 2020 by the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, Matt Hancock, in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. They are sometimes referred to as the Self-Isolation Regulations.[1]

The regulations, which cover England only, mandate self-isolation for up to 14 days (reduced to 10 days on 14 December 2020) for anyone testing positive, or who is living with or otherwise been in close contact with someone who has tested positive. A person required to self-isolate must state the address at which they will be self-isolating, and must disclose to the contacting official the names of all the people they live with. The isolating person's employer is required not to allow them to attend work. Breaches of the regulations can lead to criminal prosecutions or fixed penalties on sliding scales of up to £10,000.

From 16 August 2021 certain classes of people were exempted from having to self-isolate, including those having received a full course of vaccination in the UK. That exemption was removed following the initial emergence of the Omicron variant, but was restored on 14 December 2021.

Regulations[]

Legal basis[]

The Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) (Self-Isolation) (England) Regulations 2020 (SI 2020/1045) were introduced by way of a Statutory Instrument made by the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, Matt Hancock, using emergency powers available to him under the Public Health (Control of Disease) Act 1984. The regulations themselves state the legal basis for using such powers, namely "the serious and imminent threat to public health which is posed by the incidence and spread of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) in England"; he also certified that the restrictions "are proportionate to what they seek to achieve, which is a public health response to that threat."[2]

The regulations were laid before parliament at 00.00 on 28 September, just as the regulations were coming into force.[2] The Secretary of State used section 45R of the Public Health (Control of Disease) Act 1984 to enact the regulations immediately subject to retrospective approval by resolution of each House of Parliament within twenty-eight days.[3] In the regulations themselves he stated that "by reason of urgency, it is necessary to make this instrument" without having first placed a draft before parliament for prior discussion and approval.[2]

Commencement[]

The regulations (which apply in England only)[4] came into effect at 00.00 am on 28 September 2020.[5]

Requirement to provide information and to self-isolate[]

Anyone, unless they are exempt, who receives official notification that they have tested positive for SARS-CoV-2, or that they have come into close contact with someone who has tested positive, must self-isolate for the period described below.[6] The official notification must come from a health official, the local authority, or someone acting on behalf of the secretary of state;[7] notification via the NHS COVID-19 smartphone app does not count.[8]

In this context, 'close contact' means having face-to-face contact with someone at a distance of less than 1 metre, spending more than 15 minutes within 2 metres, travelling in a car or other small vehicle, or being in close proximity on an aeroplane.[9]

The person being notified must on request inform the official of the address at which they intend to self-isolate[10] and if applicable must disclose the names of everyone who lives in their household.[11]

Exemptions[]

From 16 August 2021 to 30 November 2021[]

From 16 August 2021 certain classes of people were exempted from having to self-isolate if they are a 'close contact', namely:[12]

  • a person who has received a complete course of vaccination in the UK, provided that the contact takes place more than 14 days after completion of the course,
  • a person who has taken part in a vaccine trial,
  • a person who can provide evidence that for clinical reasons they should not be vaccinated, and
  • a child.

The above exemptions do not apply to someone who has tested positive.

From 9 December 2021[]

From 9 December 2021 (under SI 2021/1382), a person who had received a complete course of vaccination overseas, or one dose overseas and another in the UK, became exempt in the same way as someone vaccinated in the UK.[13]

(SI 2021/1382 was due to an oversight not ratified by parliament within the required 28 days, and automatically lapsed on 25 Jan. The oversight was rectified two days later, with SI 2022/72 replicating the previous amendment with effect from 27 January and providing a further 28 days for ratification).[14]

Omicron variant rule, 30 November to 14 December 2021[]

  • The rule in the section was in effect from 30 November to 14 December 2021 only

Following the initial emergence of the Omicron variant, the 16 August exemption was removed on 30 November from anyone who had been in close contact with a person having or suspected of having that variant. Anyone (including children and fully-vaccinated individuals) who had been in close contact was required to self-isolate.[15] The rule was abolished on 14 December 2021 when the number of Omicron variant infections became too high to sustain it.[16]

From 14 December 2021 –[]

On abolition of the Omicron variant rule, the 16 August and 9 December regulations were largely restored, and there is once again no distinction between Omicron and other strains. As from 14 December 2021 the following are exempt from having to self-isolate where they are a close contact:[17]

  • a person who has received a complete course of vaccination, provided that the contact takes place more than 14 days after completion of the course,
  • a person who is taking part in a vaccine trial,
  • a person who can provide evidence that for clinical reasons they should not be vaccinated, or
  • a child.

Location of self isolation[]

The self-isolating person must remain at home, at the home of a friend or family member, in B&B accommodation, or at some other suitable place.[18] They may not leave that location unless that is necessary:[19]

  • to seek medical assistance urgently, or on the advice of a medical practitioner (this includes mental health services and services from dentists, opticians, audiologists, chiropodists, chiropractors, osteopaths and other medical or health practitioners)
  • to access veterinary services urgently, or on the advice of a vet
  • to fulfil a legal obligation
  • to avoid a risk of harm
  • to attend a close family member's funeral
  • to obtain basic necessities, such as food and medical supplies for those in the same household, where it is not possible to do so in any other manner
  • to access critical public services
  • to move to a new place of self-isolation where it becomes impracticable to remain at the current place.

The regulations were amended on 28 March 2021 to add:[20]

  • to accompany an expectant mother to a medical appointment, or to attend during the birth
  • various exceptions relating to coronavirus testing and research

The regulations were amended on 19 July 2021 to add:[21]

  • to post a coronavirus test.

The list of reasons is exhaustive;[19] unlike some other regulations there is no catch-all “reasonable excuse” provision.

Periods of self isolation[]

Start date[]

The self-isolation period starts at the moment that an official notification is received by the person who is required to self-isolate.[23] If that person is a child, the period starts when the notification is received by a guardian or other adult currently in charge.[24]

Individual has tested positive[]

Rules as applying until 29 March 2021
People who had tested positive must isolate for five days after the test, or 10 days after their symptoms started, whichever is the later.[25] If the symptom start date is not known, or is not reported, they must isolate for 10 days from the date of the test.[26]

Rules as applying after 29 March 2021
People who have tested positive must isolate for a period of 10 days beginning on:

  • In the case where a person reports the date on which symptoms of first developed the later of the date immediately following the date on which symptoms first developed[27] or, where the date on where symptoms first developed five or more days prior to the date of test, the date four days before the test (i.e. isolation for 5 days from the date of test)[28]
  • In a case where a period does not report the date on which symptoms first developed the date after the day of the test.[29]

Where a person has tested positive but is subsequently advised by the NHS, their local authority or the Secretary of State, to take a further PCR test and the results of that tests are negative then the requirement to self isolate will cease on the date that the individual is notified of the negative result.[30]

In December 2021 it was announced that the period a person must self-isolate after testing positive would be capable of being reduced to 7 days, subject to negative results to lateral flow tests being achieved by the individual on day 6 and day 7 of the isolation period.[31]

Household member has tested positive[]

People who are notified that another member of their household has tested positive must isolate for nine days after that person's symptoms began.[32] If the symptom start date is not known, or is not reported, they must isolate for 10 days from the date of that person's test[33] (a period of 14 days applied until 12 December 2020).[34]

Close contact has tested positive[]

People who are notified that they have been recorded as a close contact of someone outside their household who has tested positive must isolate for 10 days[33][35] (this period was 14 days until 12 December 2020[35]). The period starts with the last close contact they had before the notification, as specified by the official. The regulations do not make provision for the person being notified to challenge that date: they have to isolate for the required period from whatever date the official has recorded.[36]

Requirement on employers of self-isolating workers[]

Where a worker or agency worker has to isolate, their employer must not allow them to attend any workplace other than the place where they are isolating.[37]

Notification by self-isolating worker[]

A worker who knows that they must self-isolate, but who would normally be due to attend a workplace during the isolation period, must before the due date notify their employer of the dates of their self-isolation.[38]

A similar rule applies to agency workers.[38] Where applicable, the worker's employer, agent and principal must be informed, and each of these must inform the others.[39]

Offences and enforcement[]

The regulations authorise enforcement of the self-isolation requirement by police constables and police community support officers, as well as officials nominated by the secretary of state or the local authority.[40] All of these have the power to direct a person to return to their place of self-isolation,[41] and may remove them to that place using force if necessary.[42]

Failing to comply with the requirements is a criminal offence.[43] Offenders may be prosecuted,[44] or made subject to a range of fixed penalty charges.[45]

Fixed penalties
Type of breach Fixed penalty, or range Ref
Breaking isolation, or giving false information to an official £1000–£10,000 [46]
Breaking isolation and recklessly coming into close contact with someone £4000–£10,000 [47]
Employer knowingly allows isolating worker to attend workplace £1000–£10,000 [48]
Worker fails to inform employer of requirement to isolate £50 [49]
Employer, agent or principal of an isolating agency worker fail to inform each other £1000 [50]

Power to use and disclose information[]

Information officially collected under these regulations may be disclosed to certain third parties to prevent danger to public health by the spread of coronavirus, or to carry out a function under the regulations, even where the disclosure would normally be a breach of confidence. But no disclosure is permitted that would contravene data protection legislation.[51]

From 29 January 2021, the rules were amended to allow Test & Trace data to be shared with the police to enforce isolation, or to pursue fixed penalty notices or prosecutions.[52]

Protection against self-incrimination[]

Where a person has been instructed to self-isolate and provides an official with information about their household members, addresses, and dates, that information cannot normally be used against the person in unrelated criminal proceedings, subject to some exceptions.[53]

Review and expiry[]

The Secretary of State must review the regulations after six months (i.e. by 28 March 2021).[54] The regulations were originally set to expire on 27 September 2021,[55] later extended to 24 March 2022.[56]

See also[]

References[]

  1. ^ SI 364 (2021), eg at Schedule 8, part 4.
  2. ^ a b c SI 1045 (2020), Preamble.
  3. ^ SI 1045 (2020), Introductory note.
  4. ^ SI 1045 (2020), Reg 1(3).
  5. ^ SI 1045 (2020), Reg 1(2).
  6. ^ SI 1045 (2020), Reg 1(1).
  7. ^ SI 1045 (2020), Reg 2(4).
  8. ^ SI 1045 (2020), Reg 2(1).
  9. ^ SI 1045 (2020), Reg 5.
  10. ^ SI 1045 (2020), Reg 2(2)(a)(ii).
  11. ^ SI 1045 (2020), Reg 2(2)(b).
  12. ^ SI 851 (2021), Reg 2.
  13. ^ SI 1382 (2021), Reg 2.
  14. ^ SI 72 (2022), Explanatory memorandum, para 3.2.
  15. ^ SI 1338 (2021), Explanatory note.
  16. ^ SI 1415 (2021), Reg 2.
  17. ^ SI 1415 (2021), Explanatory note.
  18. ^ SI 1045 (2020), Reg 2(3)(a).
  19. ^ a b SI 1045 (2020), Reg 2(3)(b).
  20. ^ SI 364 (2021), Schedule 8, para 10.
  21. ^ SI 864 (2021), Reg 2.
  22. ^ SI 364 (2021), Schedule 8, para 10, inserting new sections 2A to 2D into SI 2020/1045.
  23. ^ SI 1045 (2020), Reg 3(2)(a).
  24. ^ SI 1045 (2020), Reg 3(2)(b).
  25. ^ SI 1045 (2020), Reg 3(3)(a).
  26. ^ SI 1045 (2020), Reg 3(3)(b).
  27. ^ SI 1045 (2020), Reg 3(3)(a)(i)(as amended at 22 December 2021).
  28. ^ SI 1045 (2020), Reg 3(3)(a)(ii)(as amended for amendments to made to 22 December 2021).
  29. ^ SI 1045 (2020), Reg 3(3)(b)(as amended for amendments to made to 22 December 2021).
  30. ^ SI 1045 (2020), Reg 2C(as amended for amendments to made to 22 December 2021).
  31. ^ "Covid: Self-isolation cut from 10 days to seven with negative test". BBC News. 22 December 2021.
  32. ^ SI 1045 (2020), Reg 3(4)(a)(i).
  33. ^ a b SI 1518 (2020), Reg 2.
  34. ^ SI 1045 (2020), Reg 3(4)(a)(ii).
  35. ^ a b SI 1045 (2020), Reg 3(4).
  36. ^ SI 1045 (2020), Reg 3(4)(b).
  37. ^ SI 1045 (2020), Reg 7.
  38. ^ a b SI 1045 (2020), Reg 8.
  39. ^ SI 1045 (2020), Explanatory memorandum.
  40. ^ SI 1045 (2020), Reg 10(6).
  41. ^ SI 1045 (2020), Reg 10(1}(a).
  42. ^ SI 1045 (2020), Reg 10(1}(b) and 10(2).
  43. ^ SI 1045 (2020), Reg 11.
  44. ^ SI 1045 (2020), Reg 13.
  45. ^ SI 1045 (2020), Reg 12.
  46. ^ SI 1045 (2020), Reg 12(4.
  47. ^ SI 1045 (2020), Reg 12(5.
  48. ^ SI 1045 (2020), Reg 12(6.
  49. ^ SI 1045 (2020), Reg 12(7.
  50. ^ SI 1045 (2020), Reg 12(8.
  51. ^ SI 1045 (2020), Regs 14(1}–14(5).
  52. ^ SI 97 (2021), Reg 4(4)(c).
  53. ^ SI 1045 (2020), Reg 15.
  54. ^ SI 1045 (2020), Reg 16(1).
  55. ^ SI 1045 (2020), Reg 12(1).
  56. ^ SI 1073 (2021), Reg 3.

Bibliography[]

  • "SI 1045". Legislation.gov.uk. 28 September 2020. The Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) (Self-Isolation) (England) Regulations 2020. Retrieved 28 September 2020.
  • "SI 1518". Legislation.gov.uk. 14 December 2020. The Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) (Self- Isolation and Linked Households) (England) Regulations 2020. Retrieved 13 December 2020.
  • "SI 97". Legislation.gov.uk. 29 January 2021. The Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) (All Tiers and Self-Isolation) (England) (Amendment) Regulations 2021. Retrieved 29 January 2021.
  • "SI 364". Legislation.gov.uk. 29 March 2021. The Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) (Steps) (England) Regulations 2021. Retrieved 23 March 2021.
  • "SI 851". Legislation.gov.uk. 16 August 2021. The Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) (Steps) (England) (Amendment) Regulations 2021. Retrieved 18 July 2021.
  • "SI 864". Legislation.gov.uk. 19 August 2021. The Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) (Self-Isolation) (England) (Amendment) (No. 2) Regulations 2021. Retrieved 20 July 2021.
  • "SI 1073". Legislation.gov.uk. 27 September 2021. The Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) (Self-Isolation) (England) (Amendment) (No. 3) Regulations 2021. Retrieved 25 September 2021.
  • "SI 1338". Legislation.gov.uk. 30 November 2021. The Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) (Self-Isolation) (England) (Amendment) (No. 4) Regulations 2021. Retrieved 29 November 2021.
  • "SI 1382". Legislation.gov.uk. 8 December 2021. The Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) (Self-Isolation) (England) (Amendment) (No. 5) Regulations 2021. Retrieved 9 December 2021.
  • "SI 1415". Legislation.gov.uk. 14 December 2021. The Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) (Self-Isolation) (England) (Amendment) (No. 6) Regulations 2021. Retrieved 14 December 2021.
  • "SI 72". Legislation.gov.uk. 27 January 2022. The Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) (Self-Isolation) (England) (Amendment) Regulations 2022. Retrieved 27 January 2022.

External links[]

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