The government’s fines for breaching self-isolation won’t rebuild trust

Editorial: The emphasis should have been on the other part of the prime minister’s announcement – a £500 payment for those on low incomes who have to isolate

The PM has made much of ‘good solid British common sense’, and he was right to do so (Brian Adcock/The Independent)

Boris Johnson stole the Sunday coronavirus headlines with his announcement of fines of “up to £10,000” for people in England who fail to self-isolate when asked to do so. However, this punitive approach is counterproductive. He may succeed in frightening a few people who are generally following the government’s advice but who might be tempted to nip out to the shops for something they have forgotten. But he will put other people off getting a test for fear of enduring a draconian quarantine.  

The announcement was all spin and mirrors in any case. The fine for an initial breach is £1,000, rising to a maximum of the headline figure after repeat offences. There are problems with enforcement, which is most likely to depend on a “sneak culture” that the prime minister condemned out of the other side of his face last week.