Coronavirus Act 2020

Declaration of threat to public health in Scotland due to coronavirus

13 (1) If 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 in Scotland, and

(b) the powers conferred by this Part of this Schedule will be an effective means of—

(i) preventing, protecting against, delaying or otherwise controlling the incidence or transmission of coronavirus in Scotland, or

(ii) facilitating the most appropriate deployment of medical or emergency personnel and resources in Scotland,

the Scottish Ministers may make a declaration to that effect.

(2) If, having made a declaration under this paragraph, the Scottish Ministers cease to be of the view mentioned in sub-paragraph (1), the Scottish Ministers must revoke the declaration.

(3) A declaration or the revocation of a declaration under this paragraph—

(a) is to be made by being published online, and

(b) must, as soon as reasonably practicable after it is made, also be published in the Edinburgh Gazette.

(4) Before making or revoking a declaration under this paragraph, the Scottish Ministers must consult the Chief Medical Officer of the Scottish Administration or such other person as may be designated for the purposes of this paragraph by the Scottish Ministers.

(5) The Scottish Ministers may make a declaration under this paragraph on more than one occasion.