The Health Protection (Coronavirus) Regulations 2020

Isolation of persons suspected to be infected with Coronavirus

8.—(1) This regulation applies where Condition A or B (set out in regulation 4) is met in relation to a person (“P”).

(2) The Secretary of State or a registered public health consultant may require P to be kept in isolation, if the Secretary of State or, as the case may be, registered public health consultant —

(a) has reasonable grounds to believe that P is, or may be, infected or contaminated with Coronavirus; and

(b) considers that it is necessary and proportionate to do so in order to reduce or remove the risk of P infecting or contaminating others.

(3) Where a registered public health consultant has reasonable grounds to believe that P is, or may be, infected or contaminated with Coronavirus, the registered public health consultant may detain P pending the decision of the Secretary of State or, as the case may be, registered public health consultant under paragraph (2).

(4) Where paragraph (2) applies, the Secretary of State or, as the case may be, registered public health consultant may impose on or in relation to P one or more screening requirements.

(5) 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.

(6) Paragraph (1) does not affect the exercise of any powers by virtue of regulation 5(1)(c).