The Health Protection (Coronavirus) Regulations 2020

Detention of persons by the Secretary of State or a registered public health consultant

4.—(1) Where Condition A or B is met in relation to a person (“P”), the Secretary of State or a registered public health consultant may, for the purposes of screening, assessment and the imposition of any restrictions or requirements under regulation 5, impose on P a requirement to be detained until the later of—

(a) the end of the period of 48 hours beginning with the time from which P’s detention under this regulation begins;

(b) such time as any screening requirements imposed on or in relation to P under regulation 5(1) have been complied with and the assessment referred to in that regulation carried out in relation to P.

(2) Condition A is that—

(a) the Secretary of State or a registered public health consultant has reasonable grounds to believe that P is, or may be, infected or contaminated with Coronavirus; and

(b) the Secretary of State or a registered public health consultant considers that there is a risk that P might infect or contaminate others.

(3) Condition B is that P—

(a) has arrived in England on an aircraft, ship or train from outside the United Kingdom, whether directly or via Northern Ireland, Scotland or Wales; and

(b) has left, or the Secretary of State or a registered public health consultant has reasonable grounds to believe P has left, an infected area within the 14 day period immediately preceding the date of P’s arrival in England.

(4) Where a special restriction or requirement is imposed under this regulation, the person imposing the restriction or requirement must express it to be contingent on the incidence or transmission of Coronavirus constituting a serious and imminent threat to public health as referred to in regulation 3.