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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

AIBU to ask if the quarantine is being enforced and what the fine is?

96 replies

alittleisland · 14/08/2020 20:22

I keep hearing about people coming back from Spain or wherever and not quarantining for 14 days. I thought that there could be random checks and if you were caught out, there was a big fine. Or did I dream this?

OP posts:
Delatron · 14/08/2020 20:25

It’s unclear. A friend had a phone call saying ‘are you at home and are you aware you need to stay there for 14 days?’.

They were at home but I’m guessing they could have been anywhere. Also if you miss the phone call?

I have heard on here some claims that the police go and knock on your door and check (local police?) but not heard of this in real life.

Delatron · 14/08/2020 20:26

But yes there is a £1000 fine if you are caught breaking the quarantine.

killerofmen · 14/08/2020 20:26

It's up to £1000 or £3200 if you lie on the form.

In practice, there are no resources to enforce it. The government knows this as they are the ones that have underfunded everything.

ScrumpyBetty · 14/08/2020 20:28

I'm wondering how they check too. All the people returning from France on the ferries. How on earth will they all be checked to make sure they are quarantining?

Original poster
alittleisland · 14/08/2020 20:30

I know of an Expat who left Egypt (on the quarantine list) and was allowed to stay overnight in an airport hotel before travelling on to her home in the North East. Do you know if this is the case? I guess it should be as many people, if travelling from far away, would be unsafe to drive on arrival.

OP posts:
RedCatBlueCat · 14/08/2020 20:30

There is a fine of between £100 and £1000, if caught breaking quarantine.
But the getting caught bit is the sticky bit. They might call you, but if you give your mobile number, you could be out for a walk, at your Mums, maybe even in Tesco, and if you tell them you are at home, how can they tell?
Personally, I know 3 families who have undergone quarantine. Their Facebook pages tell you tyst 2 families didnt follow it. No fines.
The UK system is open for abuse.

Original poster
alittleisland · 14/08/2020 20:31

@ScrumpyBetty
I know people at their second home in France who will be returning soon by ferry. I can't imagine that any of them will quarantine, I really can't.

OP posts:
RedCatBlueCat · 14/08/2020 20:32

@alittleisland the example of your acquaintance from Egypt is fine, and within the rules.

Original poster
alittleisland · 14/08/2020 20:33

@RedCatBlueCat
I thought it made complete sense in that scenario.

OP posts:
LittleSwede · 14/08/2020 20:34

I'm on day 10 of quarantine after visiting my mum in Sweden ( considered it an essentialtrip for variousreasons so worth being in quarantinen for). Haven't gone further than our bins on the drive. No checks or phone calls so far but the form you have to fill out was checked thoroughly by immigration officials at the border when re entered the UK.

LittleSwede · 14/08/2020 20:36

Apologies for typos, new phone...

Pacif1cDogwood · 14/08/2020 20:36

Well, we're one week in to our quarantine.
So far, no phone call, no checks.
DSs are teenagers and getting restless - help me!
Although they are actually far worse sticklers for the rules than I am.
We have every intention to stay put until the end of next week - then all bets are off Smile

Original poster
alittleisland · 14/08/2020 20:37

@LittleSwede
When you are in quarantine, I guess you are not even allowed outside for exercise?

OP posts:
LittleSwede · 14/08/2020 20:44

That's right, luckily we have a garden and DD has been happy in her paddling pool and doing crafts indoors now the weather has turned. I'm looking forward to being able to pop out but am staying put until next Tuesday.

LittleSwede · 14/08/2020 20:47

They do say that the Swedes are very compliant (I am swedish butlived in UK for a long time) so maybe that's why it's a no brainer for me to not break quarantine Grin

Delatron · 14/08/2020 20:55

Think they’re relying on about 80% compliance and that’s enough. Most people will have the social conscience to do so.

AnguaResurgam · 14/08/2020 20:58

They are relying on people doing the right things.

And of course most people will.

They will do some checking/enforcement. Just enough to make it real that you might get caught if you cheat.

Pity in its way that it's the fine, not the serious illness you might be spreading in your community, is the greater deterrent

DubaiDublin73 · 15/08/2020 08:18

@alittleisland

I know of an Expat who left Egypt (on the quarantine list) and was allowed to stay overnight in an airport hotel before travelling on to her home in the North East. Do you know if this is the case? I guess it should be as many people, if travelling from far away, would be unsafe to drive on arrival.
I'm on Day 8 of quarantining. We were allowed to stay in a hotel in arrival and then continue on. We chose not to and travelled another four hours to get to our house. We are allowed to go to the supermarket but have got deliveries instead. We're in Scotland.
DubaiDublin73 · 15/08/2020 08:21

Sorry so many typos!

We haven't had any phone calls or checks so far but friends have.

Original poster
alittleisland · 15/08/2020 08:21

@DubaiDublin73
So you are allowed to go to the supermarket? I you allowed to go outside for exercise an hour a day? Or is that a no-no?

OP posts:
Lockheart · 15/08/2020 08:22

Out of interest, why would you ask MN this and not look at the official government site where the advice is actually published? I can't understand the logic.

Redglitter · 15/08/2020 08:24

I have heard on here some claims that the police go and knock on your door and check (local police?) but not heard of this in real life

If the Home Office can't get hold of you or believe that you're not complying they'll send details to the Police to come and physically check.

No idea what happens if you're not tbh because so far we've only been asked to do it twice and the people were at home

Wecumasathree · 15/08/2020 08:25

No messing about over here.

Break quarantine, get caught, go to prison.

www.iomtoday.co.im/article.cfm?id=57252&headline=Man%20broke%20quarantine%20and%20went%20to%20the%20pub&sectionIs=NEWS&searchyear=2020

Delatron · 15/08/2020 08:25

In England you definitely can’t go to the supermarket! Surprised that you can in Scotland. Surely that is more risky than walking your dog (also not allowed).

Delatron · 15/08/2020 08:29

That article is from The Isle of Wight. And he was a repeat offender. Different system over there.

Not recommending breaking quarantine but I don’t think anyone in this country is going to
jail over it.

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