There has been considerable news reporting recently regarding the powers of the police to enforce the current regulations regarding the coronavirus pandemic. In particular, there has been concern about ‘over zealous’ policing and enforcement of the new rules, and today there were news reports of the first person convicted of an offence for failing to adhere to social distancing requirements – see here. However, there has been little analysis of what offences the new Coronavirus Act 2020 actually creates, and what obligations the new Regulations actually impose, as a matter of law. This briefing note from Philip Stott discusses that issue with a review of schedule 22 of the Act (creating powers to restrict businesses, premises and gatherings) and the impositions on people’s daily lives created by the new Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) (England ) Regulations 2020.
Philip Stott