Firms which breach Covid-19 workplace rules may face prosecution if they cause 'serious risk to an individual employee'. The potential sanctions for employers were confirmed by Health and Safety Executive chief Sarah Albon during the Downing Street press conference on Tuesday.
Many workers returned to offices and building sites on Monday after Boris Johnson encouraged them to go back to work if they could.
But the announcement was criticised by opposition leader Keir Starmer, who said many employees feared their workplaces weren't safe.
During the daily press conference, Ms Albon was asked what powers were at the HSE's disposal if employers didn't comply with the requirements to carry out risk assessments or make their workplaces