The Health Protection (Local Authority Powers) Regulations 2010

EXPLANATORY NOTE

(This note is not part of the Regulations)

These Regulations confer discretionary powers on local authorities (including powers to impose restrictions and requirements) for the purposes of preventing, protecting against, controlling or providing a public health response to the incidence or spread of infection or contamination which presents or could present significant harm to human health. The Regulations also place an obligation on third parties to co-operate in a particular circumstance.

Regulation 2 enables a local authority to require that a child is kept away from school.

Regulation 3 enables the local authority to require that a headteacher provide it with the names and contact details of the pupils at that headteacher’s school.

Regulations 4 to 7 enable a local authority to disinfect or decontaminate things or premises (including conveyances) on request from the owner or the person with charge or control in relation to things or the tenant in relation to premises.

Regulation 8 enables the local authority to make requests of individuals or groups to do, or not to do, specified things for health protection purposes and to offer compensation or expenses in relation to a request.

Regulations 9 and 10 enable a local authority to restrict contact with, and access to, a dead body.

Regulation 11 enables a local authority to take action to relocate a dead body; and obliges a person having charge or control of premises in which the dead body is located to co-operate.

A full impact assessment of the effect that this instrument will have on the costs of business, the voluntary sector and the public sector is available from the Department of Health, Room 514, Wellington House, 133-155 Waterloo Road, London SE1 8UG and is annexed to the Explanatory Memorandum which is available alongside the instrument on the OPSI website (www.opsi.gov.uk).