Coronavirus Act 2020

Power to suspend review of certain medical certificates of cause of death

2 (1) This paragraph applies at any time the Scottish Ministers are of the view that—

(a) the incidence or transmission of coronavirus constitutes a serious and imminent threat to public health, and

(b) the exercise of the powers conferred by this paragraph will be an effective means of expediting the disposal of bodies and better utilise medical resources.

(2) The Scottish Ministers may, by direction, suspend—

(a) the referral of medical certificates of cause of death for review under section 24A of the 1965 Act,

(b) the right of an interested person to apply for a review of a medical certificate of cause of death under section 4(1) of the 2011 Act, and

(c) the review of medical certificates of cause of death under section 8(1) of the 2011 Act.

(3) Before making a direction under sub-paragraph (2), the Scottish Ministers must consult the senior medical reviewer (or, if unavailable, the medical reviewer who is to perform the senior medical reviewer’s functions in such circumstances).

(4) A direction under sub-paragraph (2)—

(a) is to have effect until it is revoked by the Scottish Ministers making a direction to that effect;

(b) must suspend all of the matters in paragraphs (a) to (c) of that sub-paragraph;

(c) may be made on more than one occasion.

(5) The Scottish Ministers must—

(a) give a copy of any direction made under this paragraph to the Registrar General, and

(b) publish it in such manner as they consider appropriate.