From today, 28 September, individuals will be required by law to self-isolate, supported by payment of £500 for those on lower incomes who cannot work from home and have lost income as a result.
Just under four million people who are in receipt of benefits in England will be eligible for this money.
Local authorities will be working quickly to set up these self-isolation support scheme and it is expected that they will be in place by 12 October. Those who start to self-isolate from 28 September will receive backdated payments once the scheme is set up in their Local Authority