Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) (Self-Isolation) (England) Regulations 2020 (S.I., 2020, No. 1045) — 21 Oct 2020 at 19:42

The majority of MPs voted to approve a requirement for ten days of self-isolation for those who tested positive for Covid-19 and 14 days self-isolation for those officially notified they were a close-contact of someone who had tested positive. The regulations, which were subject to exceptions, including provisions for enforcement and requirements to provide information to contact tracers.

The regulations were subject to a number of exceptions including:

• where necessary—
• (i)to seek medical assistance, where this is required urgently or on the advice of a registered medical practitioner, including to access—
• (aa)services from dentists, opticians, audiologists, chiropodists, chiropractors, osteopaths and other medical or health practitioners, or
• (bb)services relating to mental health,
• (ii)to access veterinary services, where this is required urgently or on the advice of a veterinary surgeon,
• (iii)to fulfil a legal obligation, including attending court or satisfying bail conditions, or participating in legal proceedings,
• (iv)to avoid a risk of harm,
• (v)to attend a funeral of a close family member,
• (vi)to obtain basic necessities, such as food and medical supplies for those in the same household (including any pets or animals in the household) where it is not possible to obtain these provisions in any other manner,
• (vii)to access critical public services, including social services, and services provided to victims (such as victims of crime),
• (viii)to move to a different place specified in sub-paragraph (a), where it becomes impracticable to remain at the address at which they are.

The regulations also provided for enforcement, including via Fixed Penalty Notices, generally set at £1,000 for a first offence, £2,000 for a second, £4,000 for a third and £10,000 for each subsequent offence.

The regulations required to tell the Secretary of State, on request, where they were self-isolating, and for those who tested positive for Covid-19 to additionally, on request, inform the Secretary of State of the name of each person living in the same household. In effect this required the provision of information to contact-tracers.

The motion supported by a majority of MPs was:

• That the Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) (Self-Isolation) (England) Regulations 2020 (S.I., 2020, No. 1045), dated 27 September 2020, a copy of which was laid before this House on 28 September, be approved.

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• [1] Explanatory memorandum to the Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) (Self-Isolation) (England) Regulations 2020 (S.I., 2020, No. 1045), Legislation.gov.uk

Debate in Parliament |