These are the fines for breaking local lockdown restrictions - depending on your tier

Liverpool is one of the areas that has been placed under Tier 3 restrictions (Photo: Shutterstock)Liverpool is one of the areas that has been placed under Tier 3 restrictions (Photo: Shutterstock)
Liverpool is one of the areas that has been placed under Tier 3 restrictions (Photo: Shutterstock)

A new three tier coronavirus alert scale has seen local areas in England sorted into categories, depending on their infection rate of the virus.

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Brought in on 14 October, the system is designed to simplify coronavirus restrictions, making it clear which rules you should follow according to your location.

The scale consists of three 'Local Covid Alert Level' tiers, with Tier 1 (or 'medium') being the lowest level, and Tier 3 ('very high') being the highest. Each tier has its own rules - and its own penalties for breaking them.

What are the fines for breaking the rules?

All tiers

No matter where you are in the country, there are some fines that will apply uniformly.

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Fines of £200 - up from £100 - apply to anyone failing to wear a mask where a mask is required, such as in a shop. The fine doubles with each offence, up to £6,400 for repeat offences.

Fines apply to anyone who breaks self-isolation, either after returning from a country not on the UK's 'travel corridor' list, or after being told to self-isolate by NHS Test and Trace. The fines for leaving self-isolation begin at £1,000 and can escalate up to £10,000 for repeat offences.

Higher fines also apply to those "recklessly" leaving self-isolation, which entails coming into contact with other people - endangering their health - after leaving self-isolation. The first offence carries a fine of £4,000, with a second jumping straight to £10,000.

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If caught making false claims about who you've been in contact with after testing positive for coronavirus, you can be fined £1,000 for a first offence, £2,000 for a second, £4,000 for a third and £10,000 for a fourth.

The same fines apply for failing to get your child to self-isolate, as well as to bosses forcing employees who should be isolating to come into work.

People who organise gatherings of more than 30 people will be liable for fines of up to £10,000.

Tier 1

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Most of the country is in Tier 1 restrictions currently, with the 'rule of six' one of the main measures in place.

With a few exceptions, such as in the case of emergency or for providing care, you must not meet up in groups of more than six while under tier one restrictions, indoors or outside. Breaking this rule could land you with a £200 fine, which will increase for repeat offences.

Tier 2

In Tier 2, you must not socialise with anybody outside of your household or support bubble in any indoor setting, or socialise in groups of more than six outside.

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Breaking this rule will carry similar fines to those applied to breaking the rule of six in Tier 1 areas.

Businesses will also see fines if they do not follow coronavirus regulations - such as collecting track and trace details and ensuring their premises are Covid-secure.

Tier 3

Under Tier 3 restrictions, you must not socialise with anyone outside of your household or support bubble, either indoors, in a private garden, or at most outdoor hospitality venues and events. This will, again, carry similar fines to breaking the rule of six.

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Pubs and hospitality venues mandated to close must not remain open, or face hefty fines.

Further restrictions may apply to each tier in the coming days as the government negotiates with local authorities.

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