MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Majority of Britons not adhering to coronavirus sanitary protocols, King's College research

The research raises questions about the effectiveness of England's Test and Trace program as PM Boris Johnson seeks to keep a lid on rising infection numbers.

More than 80% of people in Britain are not adhering to self-isolation guidelines when they have COVID-19 symptoms or had contact with someone who has tested positive, a study has found. A majority were also unable to identify the symptoms of COVID-19, the respiratory disease caused by the new coronavirus.

The research raises major questions about the effectiveness of England's Test and Trace program as Prime Minister Boris Johnson seeks to keep a lid on rising infection numbers with new restrictions.

The research, led by King's College London, found that only 18.2% of people who reported having symptoms of COVID-19 in the last seven days had not left home since the symptoms developed, and only 11.9% requested a COVID-19 test.

It also found that only 10.9% of people told by the NHS Test and Trace scheme to self-isolate after close contact with a COVID-19 case had done so for 14 days as required.

The government last week introduced fines of up to £10,000 (US$12,780) for breaking self-isolation rules, and are offering a £500 support payment to low-paid workers who lose income from quarantining.