Josh Layton
A man has been fined £1,000 for failing to self-isolate after arriving in the UK from Somalia.
Basuir Fidin, 34, was convicted of breaking Covid health regulations at Birmingham Magistrates’ Court on Thursday.
The court heard he flouted Covid regulations by visiting his sister’s home in Birmingham on September 23 when he should have been self-isolating after returning from Somalia.
Somalia is classed as non-exempt under coronavirus laws introduced in the summer.
At the time the offence was committed, the period for holiday quarantine was 14 days.
Fidin, from Billesly, Birmingham, pleaded guilty to failing to isolate in accordance with the Health Protection Regulations (Coronavirus, International Travel) 2020.
As well as being hit with a fine of £1,000 he was ordered to pay a £100 victim surcharge and £135 costs to the Crown Prosecution Service.
Under laws aimed at stopping the spread of coronavirus, travellers from non-exempt countries must isolate after arriving in England, even if they have tested negative.
Passengers have to fill out a ‘passenger locator form’ before they arrive, providing contact information and the address where they intend to spend the quarantine period, which was cut from 14 to 10 in December.
The Government is using the information to check people are following the rules.
Anyone breaking the law risks being fined up to £10,000 and prosecuted if they do not pay on time.
Separate rules are in place in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
Boris Johnson announced on Friday that every single UK travel corridor will be suspended from 4am on Monday, initially for a month.
Travellers from all countries must isolate for 10 days and offer proof of a negative Covid test taken in the previous 72 hours before departing for the UK. Arrivals will have the choice of doing an extra test on day five to shorten the isolation period.
The Prime Minister acted to try and stop new Covid variants – including one traced to Brazil – from spreading on British soil.
He warned that enforcement of the rules will be ‘stepped up’ at the border and inside the country.
Travel corridors are countries, territories and regions from where people can travel to England without having to self-isolate.
Source: Metro
