2020 Innovation – Self-isolation compliance checks after international travel – England

As part of 2020’s commitment to
its members by providing online training for accountants in practice, we have
provided a News Update for our members on self-isolation compliance checks
after international travel in England.

The government is
now carrying out public health self-isolation compliance checks on individuals
who have a legal duty to self-isolate (also known as quarantining) for 10 days
following international travel.

This means that if
you are required to self-isolate, you may receive a visit from someone employed
by a company on behalf of the government to make sure you are complying with
your legal duty.

What to expect
from a self-isolation compliance check

Staff employed on
behalf of the NHS Test and Trace service will come to the address listed on
your passenger locator form. The staff will be wearing NHS Test and Trace
uniforms. They will identify themselves verbally and present an ID card with
information including their name, role and employer. The staff will follow
social distancing guidelines.

The staff will
state your name and ask you to confirm it. They will also ask to see your
driver’s license or passport to confirm your identity.

They will then ask
you a few questions. This will help establish whether you are following your
duty to self-isolate and enable them to provide additional information or
guidance where necessary. You may receive follow-up visits.

NHS Test and Trace
staff do not have enforcement powers, including the power to issue fixed
penalty notices or fines. This means they will never ask you for money.

If there is reason
to believe you may be breaching self-isolation rules, staff may refer your case
to the police. If the police have reasonable grounds to believe that you have
committed a criminal offence in breach of your duty to self-isolate, they may
issue you with a fine (fixed penalty notice). Fines start at £1,000 for a first
offence and can increase up to £10,000 for repeat offences.

If you are not
happy with the service, you can complain
to NHS Test and Trace online
or telephone 119.

Click
here for more details about the C19
resources and updates available to 2020 Members.