The UK government has confirmed that members of the public could be handed fines of as much as £10,000 for failing to comply with coronavirus (COVID-19) lockdown restrictions.
Fines will start at £1,000 and subsequently rise to £10,000 for repeat offenders.
This includes those who refuse to self-isolate, those who stop others from self-isolating – such as an employer who asks a staff member to come into work in violation of an order – and breaches of the rule of six / organised large gatherings.
Penalties also apply to people who fail to quarantine for 14 days after returning home from a country on the UK’s quarantine list.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson said: “People who choose to ignore the rules will face significant fines. We need to do all we can to control the spread of this virus, to prevent the most vulnerable people from becoming infected, and to protect the NHS and save lives.”
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So, what exactly can you be fined for under the latest lockdown restrictions?
Rule of Six
As of 14th September 2020, new laws came into force banning groups of six or more gathering inside or outside in England, but this does not apply to areas where tighter local lockdown restrictions already apply, including a number of areas in Greater Manchester and the North West region.
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Those who are found to be in breach of the Rule of Six can be dispersed by police and issued with a fine.
Fines start at £100 and will double for each further offence up to £3,200.
Exceptions to the rule include COVID-safe workplaces, educational settings and permitted private gatherings eg: weddings and funerals.
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Face Coverings
The wearing of a face covering is a mandatory requirement in all supermarkets, shops and public transport and is advised in all settings where necessary social-distancing cannot be carried out.
Under these new regulations, it is stated that fines of up to £100 will be enforced by police officers for those whole fail to comply.
This fine will be reduced to £50 if paid within 14 days.
As officially named by the UK government, people who fall into a number of categories are exempt from wearing a face covering, but must be able to provide necessary proof if challenged on this.
Facilitating Large Gatherings
The UK government announced last month that police in England have been given the power to distribute fines to the organisers of illegal gatherings.
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Those responsible could be hit with five-figure penalties for playing their part in arranging events with more than 30 people.
Under this new legislation, fines can potentially rise up to £10,000.
Refusal to Self-Isolate
People will be required by law to self-isolate from 28th September 2020.
New fines for those breaching self-isolation rules will start at £1,000 – bringing this in line with the penalty for breaking quarantine after international travel – but could increase to up to £10,000 for repeat offences and for “the most egregious breaches”.
People handed £10,000 maximum fines can include those preventing others from self-isolating, eg: employers.
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Speaking on the matter, Prime Minister Boris Johnson said:
“The best way we can fight this virus is by everyone following the rules and self-isolating if they’re at risk of passing on coronavirus, and so nobody underestimates just how important this is, new regulations will mean you are legally obliged to do so if you have the virus or have been asked to do so by NHS Test and Trace.”
From 28 September people will be required by law to self-isolate, those breaking the rules face fines starting at £1,000, increasing up to £10,000.
The UK government has announced the introduction of a new £500 Test and Trace Support payment for those on low incomes who are required by NHS Test and Trace to remain at home to help stop the spread of the virus.
More information on the support available can be found here.
What are the differences in fines across the UK?
Those aged 18 and over in England can be fined £100 for the first offence, which can be lowered to £50 if paid within 14 days and then double on each repeat offence up to a maximum of £3,200.
This differs elsewhere though as in Scotland, people aged 16 and over can be fined £60 for each further offence up to a maximum of £960, and people aged 18 and over in Wales and Northern Ireland can be fined £60 for the first offence, which is lowered to £30 if paid within 14 days and doubled for each repeat offence up to a £960 maximum.
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For the latest information, guidance and support during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic in the UK, please do refer to official sources at gov.uk/coronavirus.
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Bury FC manager steps down just two days after appointment following major backlash over history
Danny Jones
In case you missed the news over the weekend, Bury FC manager Michael Jolley stepped down just two days after joining the club following major backlash to his appointment.
The uproar and almost immediate U-turn came in response to his past conviction.
After learning of his history, the club were met with a significant amount of stick from Bury fans and other football supporters, leading Jolley himself to quickly resign. Confirming the outcome by mutual decision, the club revealed his departure on Sunday afternoon.
Bury Football Club can confirm that Michael Jolley has today been relieved of his duties as First Team Manager by mutual consent.
Sharing an official statement, The Shakers wrote: “The Board recognises the strength of feeling expressed in recent days by supporters, staff, partners and players, and the very real impact the Board’s decision to appoint Michael has had on individuals connected to the Club…
“We will also be engaging directly with players, staff and stakeholders to listen, learn and ensure that appropriate support is available. Our immediate priority is the welfare of our people and the stability of the Club and our community.
“We believe this step is necessary to help restore confidence, create space for reflection, and allow Bury FC to move forward in a way that reflects our values and responsibilities.
“Bury Football Club remains committed to acting with integrity, transparency and respect. Further updates will be shared when appropriate.”
Confirming that the assistant manager, Tim Lees (who helped lead the side to a 2-1 victory over Mossley AFC at home this weekend), will be leading the team as interim head coach for the time being, they also noted that Jolley insists he didn’t want his signing to place unwanted attention on the club.
Wishing them the best in their search for the next man to take them forward, and believe they have a “special connection” with their local community.
Jolley states he made higher-ups aware of his past conviction before being interviewed for the job, as he explains in a lengthy statement of his own, which was released before Bury’s own announcement.
Following a period of reflection, I have decided to relinquish the opportunity to become the Manager of Bury FC. Full statement attached. pic.twitter.com/bAHekBfnb5
Addressing the situation on social media, the Sheffield-born former Grimsby and Barrow boss said: ‘After a period of reflection over the weekend, it has become apparent that my appointment at Bury FC has become a distraction for the club and so I have decided to relinquish the opportunity to become first team manager…
“Additionally, I welcome the fact that every investigation into the incident, whether through the legal process, or the subsequent investigations by the UK government, The FA, all established through evidence that I was deceived and at no time did I act maliciously.
“All three organisations concluded that there was no evidence which should prevent me from continuing my career, and that is what I have done, periodically, since that time. I consider safeguarding a critical aspect of coaching and have always delivered safe practice 100% of the time throughout my career.”
As he explains in the full document, “16 and a half years later, [his] CRB check has long since shown as clear, but in the interests of transparency and openness”, he still ensures any prospective employers are made aware of the case.
He goes on to say that he has become used to the abuse inside stadiums and online, given the nature of football fan culture, but now that he has a young family, he makes it clear that they are a key factor in the decision as he looks to prioritise their safety and wellbeing before his own.
The local outfit is once again looking for a new steward to steer them back in the right direction and, hopefully, away from any more intrigue and/or controversy. A return to the EFL still seems a way off, but who would you like to see installed as the gaffer at Gigg Lane, Shakers?
Brits are petitioning to give ‘SIR’ Kevin Sinfield the knighthood he deserves
Danny Jones
An impassioned Brit, along with nearly 100,000 others, are championing a petition to give a Greater Manchester sporting role model a knighthood.
The UK is long overdue for a SIR Kevin Sinfield, if you ask us.
Yes, now five years after his first remarkable charity challenge in the form of his inaugural ‘seven in seven’ ultra-marathon, our very own Kevin Sinfield officially completed his sixth edition of the fundraising feat earlier this month.
Having now raised more than £1.2 million for the Motor Neurone Disease Association (MNDA) in memory of his friend and former late, great, Leeds Rhinos teammate, Rob Burrow – and that just this year alone.
👏 An outstanding achievement!
🏃 Kevin Sinfield CBE completed his latest 7 in 7: Together Challenge this afternoon, raising over £1.1 Million for @mndassoc!
To take into account every penny he’s helped generate for the crucial neurological cause, he’s helped welcome in excess of £11 million since he started this tributary journey nearly six whole years ago.
Sinfield has become nothing short of a national hero over the last few years, and the people think it’s about time he is recognised with the highest honour.
The Oldham-born native has already been given a trio of notable awards, including an MBE, OBE and CBE, which also means he doesn’t technically qualify to be considered for a knighthood until 2027 at the very earliest.
However, the petition’s creator, Mel Handforth, believes that an exception should be made and the “arcane” rules around the New Year’s Honours should be changed to allow Sinfield (and, indeed, others) to be celebrated more promptly.
Even the Speaker for the House of Commons, Lindsay Hoyle, is one of many to have argued for the stipulation to be scrapped.
Despite countless calls for him to be included in the most recent list, which saw the likes of David Beckham finally made a knight, he was overlooked due to the three-year gap protocol.
He also somehow missed out on being shortlisted for this year’s BBC Sports Personality of the Year Awards, though you can guarantee he would have plenty of votes from the general public – especially here in the region and, indeed, over in his adopted second home of Yorkshire.
You can see who did make it onto this year’s list down below.
The same happened again at the Pride of Britain a year later, and the retired rugby league player turned union coach was also handed an honorary degree by the University of Leeds in July 2024, just a month after Burrow sadly passed away.
But Sinfield has quite literally had the backing of millions to be made ‘Sir Kevin’ for well over half a decade now; we made him our ‘Manc of the Month’ back in November ’22, and our stance on him being given a knighthood is even clearer now than it was back then.
As Handforth writes in the bio of the Change.org petition: “The words ‘legend’ and ‘hero’ are often handed out, but Kevin Sinfield truly embodies them both. He’s not doing this for recognition – he’s doing it because he cares deeply about the MND community and honouring his friend Rob’s legacy.
“Let’s show Kevin that his nation stands with him. Sign this petition to urge the Honours Committee to recognise Sir Kevin Sinfield for his remarkable service to humanity.”
If you agree, you can sign the petition to make him Sir Kevin Sinfield right HERE.
The Manc -
21st September 2020 
