The latest Coronavirus Regulations on self-isolation, which were signed off by a Minister at 5pm on Sunday and came into force only 7 hours later, contain some very serious powers that were not in the statements made to Parliament last week 👇(1/6)
It creates a new criminal offence for employers who knowingly allow their employees to go to work when they’ve been told to self-isolate, with liability falling on both the company and its officers. (2/6) 
It gives the power to use “reasonable force” to enforce self-isolation not just to police officers – who have special training about using the power safely – but also to PCSOs, anyone appointed by the Secretary of State and local authority employees. (3/6)
It significantly increases the fixed penalty notice amounts. In particular, the amount for the fourth breach (and any subsequent breach) has more than doubled to £10,000. (4/6)
Also, under these regulations, if someone mistakenly identifies you as a recent close contact to government officials, you’re still forced to self-isolate for 10 days (or face criminal penalties) as there is no route to challenge mistaken information. (5/6)
Why are you only hearing about some of these new offences now? Because they came into force in the middle of the night and haven’t been debated in Parliament. Quite simply, this approach needs to change. (6/6)
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