AS it becomes increasingly likely that Britons will be forced to self-isolate due to the coronavirus outbreak, a number of new powers will be given to the police.

The Northern Echo understands that under the Health Protection (Coronavirus) Regulations 2020, those who do not adhere to self-isolation despite being told to could be fined up to £1,000 or jailed.

The new rules, which have been published by the government, reveals that those requiring quarantine can be put into isolation with "reasonable force, if necessary" by a constable.

It comes as those over 70 are expected to have to self-isolate for a period of up to four months as the government prepares to fight the outbreak of COVID-19.

The current risk level to the UK was recently upgraded to 'high' by the government as the number of confirmed cases reached 1,543 at 9am on Monday, March 16.

A statement published by the government following the introduction of the new rules said: "The Health Protection (Coronavirus) Regulations 2020 have been put in place to reduce the risk of further human-to-human transmission in this country by keeping individuals in isolation where public health professionals believe there is a reasonable risk an individual may have the virus."