Parent fined twice for failing to follow self-isolation rules

A man has been handed two £1,000 fines after sending his children to school when they returned to Rochdale from Spain.

Rochdale Borough Council received reports that a family in Spotland had returned from a family holiday in Spain and were refusing to self-isolate for the required period of 14 days.

The children’s school contacted the family with concerns about the breach of self-isolation and the impact that could have on the school, but the family denied that they had travelled abroad.

Further checks were made with border force and the matter was escalated to Greater Manchester Police who visited the family’s home.

The parents admitted that they had travelled to Spain but had not isolated their family and a £1,000 fine was issued.

Despite the initial fine, the man continued to leave his home and was handed a second £1,000 fine.

Councillor Daalat Ali, cabinet member for healthy lives at Rochdale Borough Council, said: “We appreciate that as we enter lockdown again families are being asked to make even more sacrifices but it remains essential that people who need to self-isolate follow the rules.

“This family deliberately put the health of other people at risk at a time when we need everyone to play their part in stopping the spread of the virus.”

Rochdale Borough Council’s public health and public protection teams are working in partnership with Greater Manchester Police to resolve COVID-19 breaches. The man is the second person to be fined for this type of breach in the borough after a woman refused to self-isolate upon returning from a Spanish holiday in September.

Superintendent Niall Hayden-Pawson of GMP's Rochdale division said: “It's really important for people to follow the regulations to minimise the risk, especially with the increase in cases we have seen recently. One of the ways people can stop the spread is to self-isolate for the full 14 days when coming back to the UK as it can take this length of time for symptoms of COVID-19 to develop. During this time you could unknowingly pass the virus on to others, even if you don't have symptoms.

"If you are contacted after returning from abroad, it's important to answer and respond, as once a case is referred to police, it takes up a number of resources in order to visit the address and make contact with the individual. As well as this officers are putting their health at risk by visiting someone who could potentially be carrying the virus. A risk that is preventable if everyone self-isolates as required."

Under the current national lockdown the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office advises against international travel unless it is essential.

For a list of countries where visitors are required to self-isolate upon their return to England visit www.gov.uk/uk-border-control

If you know someone who you suspect is not self-isolating when they should be, email report.travel@rochdale.gov.uk.