People aged over 70 face up to four months in self-isolation, and the public risk being taken into custody or being given a £1,000 fine if they refuse to be tested or quarantined for suspected coronavirus.

The emergency powers – expected to be announced this week – allow police in England and Wales to use “reasonable force” to detain people who are at risk of infecting others.

According to the United Kingdom’s Health Protection (Coronavirus) Regulations published on the Government’s website, those suspected of having the disease can be held for up to 14 days in a secure hospital or other suitable location. On the other hand, those that refuse to be tested or quarantined for suspected coronavirus, will be fined a hefty £1000.

On the other hand, Australia has made a similar call, stating that citizens who refuse to self-isolate after contracting coronavirus could be jailed for up to a year or fined as much as $50,000.  In Australia, people who are believed to have contracted the disease have been ordered to stay at home for 14 days, as well as those who have been in contact with anybody who has been in South Korea, China, Iran or Italy. However, some are ignoring the recommendations, putting the community at risk of catching the disease that has killed almost 5,000 people globally and infected at least 194 Australians.