**Tough new COVID restrictions in WALES**
Failure to work from home in Wales can result in hefty fines for employers and employees.
I stress that this legislation is only applicable in Wales. The guidance for the rest of the country is to work from home if possible.
The Welsh Ministers passed legislation on 17 December 2021, updating the The Health Protection (Coronavirus Restrictions) (No. 5) (Wales) Regulations 2020 to include a new section 18B which states:
18B.—(1) In the circumstances referred to in paragraph (2), no person may leave the place where they are living, or remain away from that place, for the purposes of work or to provide voluntary or charitable services.
(2) The circumstances are that it is reasonably practicable for the person to work or to provide voluntary or charitable services from the place where they are living.
Further a new section 42A states:
“Offence of failing to work from home where reasonably practicable to do so
42A. A person who, without reasonable excuse, contravenes the requirement in regulation 18B commits an offence.”
Individuals face a fixed penalty of £60 for failure to work from home (unless it is not reasonably practicable), whilst businesses face a penalty of:
First penalty - £1,000
Second penalty £2,000
Third penalty £4,000
Fourth and any subsequent penalty £10,000
This is a significant step, whether it is followed by the rest of the UK remains to be seen.