First person arrested in British Isles for failing to self-isolate – faces jail
A man has been arrested and faces a £10,000 after failing to self-isolate amid the coronavirus outbreak.
The unnamed man, aged 26, was detained after arriving in the Isle of Man last night.
He is now being held in a “specially cleaned" area on the island "designated for those who should be self-isolating".
He is the first person in the British Isles to be arrested for breaching strict quarantine rules.
The self-governing Isle of Man had passed new emergency laws on Tuesday requiring new arrivals to quarantine themselves for 14 days.
Meanwhile the UK is set to pass similar laws itself in the coming days allowing police to detain or fine Brits suspected of having the virus.
People who break the law in the Isle of Man could face a fine of up to £10,000 or three months in prison, the chief minister said.
A police spokesman urged people to follow the government guidance on self-isolation and "think about the safety of the community".
"This is an ever evolving situation and it is important we act in the best interests of keeping people safe," he added.
When the emergency powers were announced Chief Minister Howard Quayle said the pandemic was "the gravest threat" the island had faced in generations.
He said: "We cannot allow our critical health services to become overwhelmed and must have the means to prosecute those who choose to act irresponsibly."
The island recorded its first case of coronavirus on Thursday.
- Coronavirus
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