Coronavirus Act 2020

Power to close premises in England or impose restrictions on persons entering or remaining in them

6 (1) The Secretary of State may, for the purpose of—

(a) preventing, protecting against, delaying or otherwise controlling the incidence or transmission of coronavirus, or

(b) facilitating the most appropriate deployment of medical or emergency personnel and resources,

issue a direction imposing prohibitions, requirements or restrictions in relation to the entry into, departure from, or location of persons in, premises in England.

(2) A direction under sub-paragraph (1) may be issued in relation to—

(a) specified premises, or

(b) premises of a specified description.

(3) A direction under sub-paragraph (1) may only have the effect of imposing prohibitions, requirements or restrictions on—

(a) the owner or occupier of premises to which the direction relates;

(b) any other person involved in managing entry into, or departure from, such premises or the location of persons in them.

(4) A direction under sub-paragraph (1) may only be issued during a public health response period.

(5) A direction under sub-paragraph (1) may, among other things, impose requirements for the purpose of—

(a) closing the premises;

(b) restricting entry into the premises;

(c) securing restrictions in relation to the location of persons in the premises.

(6) A direction under sub-paragraph (1) may impose prohibitions, requirements or restrictions by reference to (among other things)—

(a) the number of persons in the premises;

(b) the size of the premises;

(c) the purpose for which a person is in the premises;

(d) the facilities in the premises;

(e) a period of time.