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The Health Protection (Coronavirus Restrictions) (No. 2) (Wales) Regulations 2020 (revoked)

Changes over time for: The Health Protection (Coronavirus Restrictions) (No. 2) (Wales) Regulations 2020 (revoked) (without Schedules)

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Version Superseded: 03/08/2020

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Point in time view as at 27/07/2020.

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PART 1E+WIntroduction

Title, application and coming into forceE+W

1.—(1) The title of these Regulations is the Health Protection (Coronavirus Restrictions) (No. 2) (Wales) Regulations 2020.

(2) These Regulations apply in relation to Wales [F1(which, for the purposes of Part 3, includes the airspace above Wales)].

(3) The following provisions of these Regulations come into force on 11 July 2020—

(a)regulation 2;

(b)regulation 8;

(c)regulation 9 so far as it applies to a requirement under regulation 8(1);

(d)regulations 12 and 13 so far as they apply to a person responsible for premises of a business listed in Schedule 3;

(e)regulations 17 to 22 so far as they apply to a contravention (or alleged contravention) of regulation 8(1);

(f)regulation 3 so far as it relates to the following provisions of the Health Protection (Coronavirus Restrictions) (Wales) Regulations 2020 M1—

(i)paragraphs (4) to (6) of regulation 4 so far as they apply to a person responsible for carrying on a business listed in Part 3 of Schedule 1;

(ii)regulation 5;

(iii)regulation 7A so far as it applies in relation to a requirement or restriction imposed by regulation 4(5B) or 5(3C) on a person responsible for carrying on a business listed in Part 3 of Schedule 1;

(iv)regulations 10 to 14 so far as they apply to a contravention (or alleged contravention) of regulation 4(4) or 5(3C) by a person responsible for carrying on a business listed in Part 3 of Schedule 1.

(4) These Regulations come into force for all other purposes on 13 July 2020.

Textual Amendments

Commencement Information

I1Reg. 1 in force at 11.7.2020, see reg. 1(3)

Marginal Citations

M1S.I. 2020/353 (W. 80) as amended by S.I. 2020/399 (W. 88), S.I. 2020/452 (W. 102), S.I. 2020/497 (W. 118), S.I. 2020/529 (W. 124), S.I. 2020/557 (W. 129), S.I. 2020/619 (W. 141) and S.I. 2020/686 (W. 153).

InterpretationE+W

2.—(1) In these Regulations—

(a)“burial” includes the interment of a dead person's ashes;

(b)“carer” means a person who provides care for the person assisted where—

(i)the carer is entitled to an assessment under section 24 of the Social Services and Well-being (Wales) Act 2014 M2,

(ii)the care is part of the provision of community care services under Part 4 of the Social Services and Well-being (Wales) Act 2014, or

(iii)the care is provided by a care provider registered under Part 1 of the Regulation and Inspection of Social Care (Wales) Act 2016 M3;

(c)“cemetery” includes a burial ground and any other place for the interment of the dead;

(d)“coronavirus” means severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2);

(e)“elite athlete” means an individual designated as such for the purposes of these Regulations by the Sports Council for Wales;

(f)“local authority” means the council of a county or county borough in Wales;

(g)“open premises” has the meaning given by regulation 12(3);

(h)“parental responsibility” has the same meaning as in the Children Act 1989 M4;

(i)a “person responsible for carrying on a business” includes the owner, proprietor, and manager of that business;

(j)“premises” includes any building or structure and any land;

(k)“vulnerable person” includes—

(i)any person aged 70 or older;

(ii)any person under 70 who has an underlying health condition;

(iii)any person who is pregnant;

(iv)any child;

(v)any person who is a vulnerable adult within the meaning given by section 60(1) of the Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act 2006 M5.

[F2(l)“face covering” means a covering of any type which covers a person’s nose and mouth;

(m)“public transport service” means a service provided for the carriage of passengers by road, railway, tramway, air or water;

(n)“vehicle” includes an aircraft, a cable car, a train, a tram and a vessel.]

(2) For the purposes of the definition of “elite athlete” in paragraph (1)—

(a)an individual is designated by the Sports Council for Wales only if the individual has been nominated for designation by a relevant sporting body and the Council has accepted the nomination, and

(b)“relevant sporting body” means the national governing body of a sport which may nominate athletes to represent—

(i)Great Britain and Northern Ireland at the Olympic or Paralympic Games, or

(ii)Wales at the Commonwealth Games.

(3) For the purposes of these Regulations—

(a)there is a gathering when two or more people are in the same place in order to do something together;

(b)premises are indoors if they are enclosed or substantially enclosed within the meaning given by regulation 2 of the Smoke-free Premises etc. (Wales) Regulations 2007 M6.

(4) If two households agree to be treated as a single (extended) household for the purposes of these Regulations, any reference in these Regulations (other than in paragraphs (5) to (7)) to a “household” is to be read as including both households.

(5) To agree to be treated as a single household all of the adults of the two households must agree.

(6) But—

(a)a household may only agree to be treated as a single household with one other household, and

(b)if two households cease to agree to be treated as a single household, neither household may agree to be treated as a single household under paragraph (4) with any other household.

(7) If two households have agreed to be treated as a single (extended) household for the purposes of the Health Protection (Coronavirus Restrictions) (Wales) Regulations 2020 they are to be treated as also having agreed for the purposes of these Regulations.

Textual Amendments

Commencement Information

I2Reg. 2 in force at 11.7.2020, see reg. 1(3)(a)

Marginal Citations

M22014 anaw 4.

M32016 anaw 2.

M41989 c. 41. See Part 1 of the Act, to which there have been various amendments, including by the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act 2008 (c. 22) and S.I. 2019/1458.

M52006 c. 47, as amended by section 65 of the Protection of Freedoms Act 2012 (c. 9).

RevocationE+W

3.—(1) The following Regulations are revoked—

(a)the Health Protection (Coronavirus Restrictions) (Wales) Regulations 2020 M7;

(b)the Health Protection (Coronavirus Restrictions) (Wales) (Amendment) Regulations 2020 M8;

(c)the Health Protection (Coronavirus Restrictions) (Wales) (Amendment) (No. 2) Regulations 2020 M9;

(d)the Health Protection (Coronavirus Restrictions) (Wales) (Amendment) (No. 3) Regulations 2020 M10;

(e)the Health Protection (Coronavirus Restrictions) (Wales) (Amendment) (No. 4) Regulations 2020 M11;

(f)the Health Protection (Coronavirus Restrictions) (Wales) (Amendment) (No. 5) Regulations 2020 M12;

(g)the Health Protection (Coronavirus Restrictions) (Wales) (Amendment) (No. 6) Regulations 2020 M13;

(h)the Health Protection (Coronavirus Restrictions) (Wales) (Amendment) (No. 7) Regulations 2020 M14.

(2) Despite the revocation of those Regulations, they continue in force in relation to any offence committed under the Health Protection (Coronavirus Restrictions) (Wales) Regulations 2020 before these Regulations came into force.

Commencement Information

I3Reg. 3 in force at 11.7.2020 for specified purposes, see reg. 1(3)(f)

I4Reg. 3 in force at 13.7.2020 in so far as not already in force, see reg. 1(4)

Marginal Citations

M9S.I. 2020/452 (W. 102).

ReviewE+W

4.  The Welsh Ministers must review the need for restrictions and requirements imposed by these Regulations, and whether those restrictions and requirements are proportionate to what the Welsh Ministers seek to achieve by them—

(a)by 30 July 2020;

(b)at least once in the period of 21 days beginning with 31 July 2020;

(c)at least once in each subsequent period of 21 days.

Commencement Information

I5Reg. 4 in force at 13.7.2020, see reg. 1(4)

ExpiryE+W

5.—(1) These Regulations expire at the end of the day on 8 January 2021.

(2) This regulation does not affect the validity of anything done pursuant to these Regulations before they expire.

Commencement Information

I6Reg. 5 in force at 13.7.2020, see reg. 1(4)

PART 2 E+WClosure of businesses and premises

Closure of indoor bars and restaurants etc.E+W

6.—(1) A person responsible for carrying on a business which is listed in Schedule 1 must close any part of its premises which is indoors and used for the consumption of food or drink.

(2) But paragraph (1) does not prevent the provision of room service at a hotel or other accommodation.

(3) And paragraph (1) applies subject to the need to carry out maintenance and repairs and other work to ensure premises are suitable for use when paragraph (1) no longer applies to the business.

(4) For the purposes of paragraph (1), an indoor area adjacent to the premises of the business where seating is made available for customers of the business (whether or not by the business) is to be treated as part of the premises of that business.

Commencement Information

I7Reg. 6 in force at 13.7.2020, see reg. 1(4)

Closure of other businesses and servicesE+W

7.—(1) A person responsible for carrying on a business or providing a service which is listed in Schedule 2 must cease to carry on that business or to provide that service.

(2) But paragraph (1) does not prevent the use of—

(a)premises used for the businesses or services listed in paragraphs F3... 2, 4, 5, 6 or 12 of Schedule 2 to broadcast without an audience present at the premises (whether over the internet or as part of a radio or television broadcast);

(b)premises for any purpose as may be requested by the Welsh Ministers or a local authority;

(c)premises for training for elite athletes;

F4(d). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(3) And paragraph (1) applies subject to the need to carry out maintenance and repairs and other work to ensure premises are suitable for use when paragraph (1) no longer applies to the business or service.

Textual Amendments

Commencement Information

I8Reg. 7 in force at 13.7.2020, see reg. 1(4)

Closure of holiday accommodationE+W

F58.  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

Businesses forming part of a larger businessE+W

9.  Where—

(a)a person responsible for carrying on a business (“business A”) is required, by virtue of regulation 6(1) [F6or 7(1)] to cease carrying on business A, and

(b)business A forms part of a larger business (“business B”),

the requirement in regulation 6(1) [F6or 7(1)] is complied with if the person responsible for carrying on business B ceases to carry on business A.

Textual Amendments

Commencement Information

I9Reg. 9 in force at 11.7.2020 for specified purposes, see reg. 1(3)(c)

I10Reg. 9 in force at 13.7.2020 in so far as not already in force, see reg. 1(4)

Closure of F7... community centresE+W

10.—F8(1) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F8(2) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F8(3) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(4) A person responsible for a community centre must ensure that the community centre is closed except where it is used to provide—

(a)essential voluntary services, or

(b)public services upon the request of the Welsh Ministers or a local authority.

Textual Amendments

Commencement Information

I11Reg. 10 in force at 13.7.2020, see reg. 1(4)

Closure of certain public paths and access landE+W

11.—(1) Where paragraph (2) applies to a public path or access land in the area of a relevant authority, the relevant authority must—

(a)close the public path or access land, and

(b)keep it closed until the time when the authority considers that closure is no longer necessary to prevent, protect against, control or provide a public health response to the incidence or spread of infection with coronavirus in its area.

(2) This paragraph applies to the public paths and access land in its area a relevant authority considers—

(a)to be liable to large numbers of people congregating or being in close proximity to each other, or

(b)the use of which otherwise poses a high risk to the incidence or spread of infection with coronavirus in its area.

(3) Where a public path has been closed under—

(a)regulation 4 of the Health Protection (Coronavirus: Closure of Leisure Businesses, Footpaths and Access Land) (Wales) Regulations 2020 M15, or

(b)regulation 9 of the Health Protection (Coronavirus Restrictions) (Wales) Regulations 2020 M16,

the path is to be treated as if it were closed under paragraph (1) of this regulation.

(4) No person may use a public path or access land closed by virtue of paragraph (1) unless authorised by the relevant authority.

(5) The relevant authority must—

(a)publish a list of public paths or access land closed in its area on a website;

(b)erect and maintain notices in prominent places informing the public of the closure of a public path or access land.

(6) For the purposes of this regulation references to a public path or access land include parts of a public path or access land.

(7) In this regulation—

(a)the “relevant authority” means—

(i)a local authority,

(ii)a National Park authority in Wales,

(iii)Natural Resources Wales, or

(iv)the National Trust;

(b)“public path” means a footpath, bridleway, byway, restricted byway or cycle track and—

(i)“footpath”, “bridleway” and “cycle track” have the same meaning as in section 329(1) of the Highways Act 1980 M17;

(ii)“byway” means a byway open to all traffic within the meaning given by section 66(1) of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 M18;

(iii)“restricted byway” has the meaning given by section 48(4) of the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000 M19;

(c)“access land” includes land to which the public has access by virtue of its ownership by the National Trust, but otherwise has the same meaning as in section 1(1) of the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000 M20.

Commencement Information

I12Reg. 11 in force at 13.7.2020, see reg. 1(4)

Marginal Citations

M171980 c.66. Section 329 was amended by section 1 of the Cycle Tracks Act 1984 (c. 38) and paragraph 21 of Schedule 3 to the Road Traffic (Consequential Provisions) Act 1988 (c. 54).

M202000 c. 37. Section 1(1) was amended by section 302(2)(a) of the Marine and Coastal Access Act 2009 (c. 23).

PART 3E+WMinimising risk of exposure to coronavirus at open premises and while working

Reasonable measures to minimise risk of exposure to coronavirusE+W

12.—(1) Paragraph (2) applies to a person responsible for—

(a)open premises, or

(b)work carried out at any other premises where a person is working.

(2) For the purposes of minimising the risk of exposure to coronavirus at the premises, the person must—

(a)take all reasonable measures to ensure—

(i)that a distance of 2 metres is maintained between any persons on the premises (except between two members of the same household, or a carer and the person assisted by the carer);

(ii)where persons are required to wait to enter the premises, that a distance of 2 metres is maintained between them (except between two members of the same household, or a carer and the person assisted by the carer),

(b)take any other reasonable measures for that purpose, for example measures which limit close face to face interaction and maintain hygiene such as—

(i)changing the layout of premises including the location of furniture and workstations;

(ii)controlling use of entrances, passageways, stairs and lifts;

(iii)controlling use of shared facilities such as toilets and kitchens;

(iv)otherwise controlling the use of, or access to, any other part of the premises;

(v)installing barriers or screens;

(vi)providing or requiring use of personal protective equipment, and

(c)provide information to those entering or working at the premises about how to minimise the risk of exposure to coronavirus.

(3) In these Regulations “open premises” means—

(a)premises of a business or service listed in Schedule 4;

(b)places of worship;

(c)cemeteries;

(d)premises of a business listed in Schedule 1 which are not required to be closed by virtue of regulation 6;

(e)premises of a business listed in Schedule 2 which are permitted to be open by virtue of regulation 7(2);

F9(f). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(g)crematoriums F10...;

(h)community centres permitted to open by virtue of regulation 10(4).

(4) For the purposes of this regulation “premises” also includes a vehicle used to provide a [F11public transport service].

Textual Amendments

Commencement Information

I13Reg. 12 in force at 11.7.2020 for specified purposes, see reg. 1(3)(d)

I14Reg. 12 in force at 13.7.2020 in so far as not already in force, see reg. 1(4)

[F12Requirement to wear face covering on public transportE+W

12A.—(1) A person (“P”) who is travelling as a passenger on a vehicle used to provide a public transport service must wear a face covering.

(2) But this is not required—

(a)where an exemption applies under paragraph (3);

(b)where P has a reasonable excuse not to wear a face covering, as to which see paragraph (4).

(3) An exemption to the requirement to wear a face covering applies—

(a)where P is a child under the age of 11;

(b)on a vehicle providing a school transport service;

(c)on a ferry where—

(i)the part of the ferry which is open to passengers is entirely outdoors, or

(ii)a distance of at least 2 metres can be maintained between persons on the part of the ferry which is open to passengers;

(d)on a cruise ship;

(e)where P is allocated a cabin, berth or other similar accommodation on the vehicle, at any time when P is in that accommodation—

(i)alone, or

(ii)only with members of P’s household or a member of the household’s carer;

(f)where—

(i)P is permitted, or ordinarily required, to board and to stay in a vehicle when using the public transport service,

(ii)the vehicle is not itself used for the provision of a public transport service, and

(iii)P stays in that vehicle;

(g)on an aircraft which neither took off from, nor is to land at, a place in Wales;

(h)on a vessel which does not dock at a port in Wales.

(4) The circumstances in which P has a reasonable excuse to not wear a face covering include—

(a)where P is unable to put on, wear or remove a face covering because of a physical or mental illness or impairment, or a disability (within the meaning of section 6 of the Equality Act 2010);

(b)where P has to remove the face covering to communicate with another person who has difficulty communicating (in relation to speech, language or otherwise);

(c)where P has to remove the face covering in order to avoid harm or injury, or the risk of harm or injury, to themselves or others;

(d)where P is travelling to avoid injury, or to escape a risk of harm, and does not have a face covering;

(e)where P has to remove the face covering to—

(i)take medication;

(ii)eat or drink, if this is allowed on the vehicle and is reasonably necessary (for example due to the length of the journey);

(f)where P is asked to remove the face covering by—

(i)an enforcement officer, or

(ii)the operator of the public transport service, an employee of the operator or a person authorised by the operator.

(5) An operator of a public transport service to which paragraph (1) applies must provide information to passengers about the requirement to wear face coverings on their vehicles.

(6) For the purposes of this regulation a “school transport service” means any transport service provided solely for the purpose of—

(a)carrying a person to and from the school or other place at which the person receives education or training, or

(b)otherwise facilitating a person’s attendance at a school or other place at which the person receives education or training.]

Textual Amendments

Guidance on minimising exposureE+W

13.—(1) A person required to take reasonable measures under regulation 12 must have regard to guidance issued by the Welsh Ministers about those measures.

[F13(1A) An operator of a public transport service to which regulation 12A applies must have regard to guidance issued by the Welsh Ministers about—

(a)the requirement to wear a face covering in accordance with paragraphs (1) to (4) of regulation 12A and the enforcement of that requirement under regulation 18;

(b)providing information to passengers in accordance with paragraph (5) of regulation 12A.]

(2) The Welsh Ministers—

(a)may revise guidance issued under paragraph (1) [F14or (1A)], and

(b)must publish the guidance (and any revisions).

(3) Guidance under this regulation may incorporate (by reference or transposition) guidance, codes of practice or other documents published by another person (for example, a trade association, body representing members of an industry or a trade union).

Textual Amendments

Commencement Information

I15Reg. 13 in force at 11.7.2020 for specified purposes, see reg. 1(3)(d)

I16Reg. 13 in force at 13.7.2020 in so far as not already in force, see reg. 1(4)

PART 4 E+WGathering with other people

Restrictions on gatheringsE+W

14.—(1) No person may, without a reasonable excuse—

(a)gather outdoors with any other person apart from—

(i)members of their household or of no more than one other household,

(ii)their carer, or

(iii)a person they are providing care to;

(b)gather in premises indoors with any other person apart from—

(i)the members of their household,

(ii)their carer, or

(iii)a person they are providing care to.

(2) A reasonable excuse includes the need to do the following—

(a)obtain medical assistance, including accessing any of the services referred to in paragraph 10 of Schedule 4 or accessing veterinary services;

(b)provide or receive care or assistance, including relevant personal care, within the meaning of paragraph 7(3B) of Schedule 4 to the Safeguarding of Vulnerable Groups Act 2006 M21, where the person receiving the care is a vulnerable person;

(c)provide or receive emergency assistance;

(d)donate blood;

(e)work or provide voluntary or charitable services;

(f)where the person is an elite athlete, train or compete;

(g)attend a solemnization of a marriage or formation of a civil partnership—

(i)as a party to the marriage or civil partnership,

(ii)if invited to attend, or

(iii)as the carer of a person attending.

(h)attend a funeral—

(i)as a person responsible for arranging the funeral,

(ii)if invited by a person responsible for arranging the funeral, or

(iii)as the carer of a person attending;

[F15(ha)attend a place of worship;]

(i)meet a legal obligation, including attending court or satisfying bail conditions, or to participate in legal proceedings;

(j)access or receive F16... public services F16...;

[F17(ja)access childcare or participate in supervised activities for children;]

(k)in relation to children who do not live in the same household as their parents, or one of their parents, continue existing arrangements for access to, and contact between, parents and children, and for the purposes of this paragraph, “parent” includes a person who is not a parent of the child, but who has parental responsibility for, or who has care of, the child;

(l)move home;

[F18(m)undertake activities in connection with the purchase, sale, letting, or rental of residential property;]

(o)avoid injury or illness or escape a risk of harm.

(3) Paragraph (1) does not apply to a person who is homeless.

F19(4) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

Commencement Information

I17Reg. 14 in force at 13.7.2020, see reg. 1(4)

Marginal Citations

M212006 c. 47. Paragraph 7(3B) was inserted by section 66(2) of the Protection of Freedoms Act 2012 (c. 9).

Exception for organised outdoor activitiesE+W

15.—(1) Despite the meaning of “gathering” given by regulation 2(3)(a), regulation 14(1) does not apply to any organised outdoor activity consisting of no more than 30 persons.

(2) For the purposes of paragraph (1), an activity is an “organised outdoor activity” if—

(a)it takes place outdoors,

(b)it is organised by—

(i)a business,

(ii)a public body or a charitable, benevolent or philanthropic institution,

(iii)a club or political organisation, or

(iv)the national governing body of a sport or other activity, and

(c)the person organising it has—

(i)carried out a risk assessment which would satisfy the requirements of regulation 3 of the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 M22, whether or not the person is subject to those Regulations, and

(ii)complied with the requirements of regulations 12(2) and 13(1).

(3) For the purposes of paragraph (2)(c)—

(a)regulation 3 of the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 applies as if the activity were an undertaking conducted by the person organising it;

(b)regulation 12(2) of these Regulations applies as if the place where the activity takes place were open premises for which the person organising the activity is responsible.

Commencement Information

I18Reg. 15 in force at 13.7.2020, see reg. 1(4)

Marginal Citations

M22S.I. 1999/3242. Regulation 3 was amended by S.I. 2005/1541, S.I. 2015/21 and S.I. 2015/1637.

Requirement to continue to work from home where practicableE+W

F2016.  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

PART 5 E+WEnforcement

Enforcement officersE+W

17.—(1) For the purposes of regulations 18 to 21, an “enforcement officer” means—

(a)a constable,

(b)a police community support officer,

(c)a person designated by—

(i)the Welsh Ministers,

(ii)a local authority,

(iii)a National Park authority in Wales, or

(iv)Natural Resources Wales,

for the purposes of regulations 18 to 21 (but see paragraphs (2) and (3)), or

(d)a person designated under regulation 10(11)(c) of the Health Protection (Coronavirus Restrictions) (Wales) Regulations 2020 M23 as a relevant person (within the meaning given by that regulation) by—

(i)the Welsh Ministers,

(ii)a local authority,

(iii)a National Park authority in Wales, or

(iv)Natural Resources Wales,

(but see paragraphs (2) and (3)).

(2) A person designated by a local authority may exercise an enforcement officer's functions only in relation to a contravention (or alleged contravention) of a requirement in regulation 6(1), 7(1), F21... [F2210(4)], 11(4) or 12(2).

(3) A person designated by a National Park authority or Natural Resources Wales may exercise an enforcement officer's functions only in relation to a contravention (or alleged contravention) of the requirement in regulation 11(4).

Textual Amendments

Commencement Information

I19Reg. 17 in force at 11.7.2020 for specified purposes, see reg. 1(3)(e)

I20Reg. 17 in force at 13.7.2020 in so far as not already in force, see reg. 1(4)

Marginal Citations

Enforcement actionsE+W

18.—(1) An enforcement officer may give a compliance notice to a person if the officer has reasonable grounds for suspecting that the person is contravening a requirement in regulation 6(1), 7(1), F23... [F2410(4), 12(2) or 12A(5)].

(2) A compliance notice may specify measures that the person to whom it is given must take as soon as is reasonably practicable so as to prevent that person from continuing to contravene the requirement.

(3) If an enforcement officer has reasonable grounds to suspect that a person (“P”) is contravening (or is about to contravene) regulation 11(4), the officer may remove P from a public path or access land (within the meaning given by regulation 11(7)) which is closed (or is being closed) by virtue of regulation 11(1), and may use reasonable force, if necessary, to do so.

[F25(3A) If an enforcement officer has reasonable grounds to suspect that a person (“P”) is contravening (or is about to contravene) regulation 12A(1), the officer may—

(a)direct P not to board the vehicle providing the public transport service in question;

(b)remove P from the vehicle, and may use reasonable force, if necessary, to do so.

(3B) If the operator of a public transport service, an employee of the operator or a person authorised by the operator, has reasonable grounds to suspect that a person (“P”) is about to contravene regulation 12A(1), the operator, employee or authorised person may direct P not to board the vehicle providing the public transport service in question.]

(4) Where an enforcement officer has reasonable grounds for suspecting that people are gathered together in contravention of regulation 14(1), the officer may—

(a)direct the gathering to disperse;

(b)direct any person in the gathering to return to the place where they are living;

(c)remove any person in the gathering to the place where they are living.

(5) An enforcement officer may—

(a)when exercising the power in paragraph (4), direct a person to follow such instructions as the officer considers necessary;

(b)use reasonable force in the exercise of the power in paragraph (4)(a) or (c).

(6) Where an enforcement officer has reasonable grounds to suspect that a person (“P”) is in a gathering in contravention of regulation 14(1) and is a child accompanied by an individual (“I”) who has responsibility for P—

(a)the officer may direct I to take P to the place where P is living, and

(b)I must, so far as reasonably practicable, ensure that P complies with any direction or instruction given by the officer to P.

[F26(6A) Where an enforcement officer has reasonable grounds to believe that a child is failing to comply with the requirement in regulation 12A(1), the officer may direct any individual who has responsibility for the child to secure, so far as reasonably practicable, that the child complies with the requirement.]

(7) For the purposes of paragraph (6) [F27and (6A)], I has responsibility for a child if I—

(a)has custody or charge of the child for the time being, or

(b)has parental responsibility for the child.

(8) An enforcement officer may take other action to facilitate the exercise of a power conferred on the officer by this regulation or regulation 19.

(9) An enforcement officer may only exercise a power under this regulation or regulation 19 if the officer considers that it is necessary and proportionate to do so.

(10) In this regulation and regulations 19 and 20 references to a requirement include references to a restriction.

Textual Amendments

Commencement Information

I21Reg. 18 in force at 11.7.2020 for specified purposes, see reg. 1(3)(e)

I22Reg. 18 in force at 13.7.2020 in so far as not already in force, see reg. 1(4)

Power of entryE+W

19.—(1) An enforcement officer may enter premises, if the officer—

(a)has reasonable grounds for suspecting that a requirement imposed by these Regulations is being, has been or is about to be contravened on the premises, and

(b)considers it necessary to enter the premises for the purpose of ascertaining whether the requirement is being, has been or is about to be contravened.

(2) An enforcement officer entering premises in accordance with paragraph (1) may—

(a)use reasonable force to enter the premises if necessary;

(b)take such other persons, equipment and materials onto the premises as appears to the officer to be appropriate.

(3) An enforcement officer entering premises in accordance with paragraph (1)—

(a)if asked by a person on the premises, must show evidence of the officer's identity and outline the purpose for which the power is exercised;

(b)if the premises are unoccupied or the occupier is temporarily absent, must leave the premises as effectively secured against unauthorised entry as when the officer found them.

Commencement Information

I23Reg. 19 in force at 11.7.2020 for specified purposes, see reg. 1(3)(e)

I24Reg. 19 in force at 13.7.2020 in so far as not already in force, see reg. 1(4)

Offences and penaltiesE+W

20.—(1) A person who—

(a)without reasonable excuse, contravenes a requirement in regulation 6(1), 7(1), F28... [F2910(4)] , 11(4) [F30or 12(2)] [F31or 12A(1)], or

(b)contravenes a requirement in regulation 14(1),

commits an offence.

(2) A person who obstructs, without reasonable excuse, any person carrying out a function under these Regulations commits an offence.

(3) A person who, without reasonable excuse—

(a)contravenes a direction given by an enforcement officer under regulation [F3218(3A)(a),] 18(4), 18(5)(a) or 18(6), F33...

[F34(aa)contravenes a direction given by the operator of a public transport service, an employee of the operator or a person authorised by the operator, under regulation 18(3B), or]

(b)fails to comply with a compliance notice given by an enforcement officer under regulation 18(1),

commits an offence.

(4) An offence under these Regulations is punishable on summary conviction by a fine.

(5) Section 24 of the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984 M24 applies in relation to an offence under this regulation as if the reasons in subsection (5) included—

(a)to maintain public health;

(b)to maintain public order.

(6) If an offence under paragraph (1) committed by a body corporate is proved—

(a)to have been committed with the consent or connivance of an officer of the body, or

(b)to be attributable to any neglect on the part of such an officer,

the officer (as well as the body corporate) is guilty of the offence and liable to be prosecuted and proceeded against and punished accordingly.

(7) In paragraph (6), “officer”, in relation to a body corporate, means a director, manager, secretary or other similar officer of the body corporate.

(8) Proceedings for an offence under these Regulations alleged to have been committed by a partnership may be brought in the name of the partnership instead of in the name of any of the partners.

(9) Proceedings for an offence under these Regulations alleged to have been committed by an unincorporated body other than a partnership may be brought in the name of the body instead of in the name of any of its members and, for the purposes of any such proceedings, any rules of court relating to the service of documents have effect as if that body were a body corporate.

(10) Section 33 of the Criminal Justice Act 1925 M25 and Schedule 3 to the Magistrates' Courts Act 1980 M26 apply in proceedings for an offence brought against a partnership or an unincorporated association other than a partnership as they apply in relation to a body corporate.

(11) A fine imposed on a partnership on its conviction for an offence under these Regulations is to be paid out of the partnership assets.

(12) A fine imposed on an unincorporated association other than a partnership on its conviction for an offence under these Regulations is to be paid out of the funds of the association.

Textual Amendments

Commencement Information

I25Reg. 20 in force at 11.7.2020 for specified purposes, see reg. 1(3)(e)

I26Reg. 20 in force at 13.7.2020 in so far as not already in force, see reg. 1(4)

Marginal Citations

M241984 c. 60. Section 24 was substituted by section 110(1) of the Serious Organised Crime and Police Act 2005 (c. 15).

Fixed penalty noticesE+W

21.—(1) An enforcement officer may issue a fixed penalty notice to anyone that the officer reasonably believes—

(a)has committed an offence under these Regulations, and

(b)is aged 18 or over.

(2) A fixed penalty notice is a notice offering the person to whom it is issued the opportunity of discharging any liability to conviction for the offence by payment of a fixed penalty to—

(a)a local authority, or

(b)a person designated by the Welsh Ministers for the purposes of receiving payment under this regulation,

as the notice may specify.

(3) The Welsh Ministers may designate themselves under paragraph (2)(b).

(4) A person designated by the Welsh Ministers for the purposes of receiving payment under regulation 13 of the Health Protection (Coronavirus Restrictions) (Wales) Regulations 2020 M27 is to be treated as if designated for the purposes of receiving payment under this regulation.

(5) Where a local authority is specified in the notice it must be the authority (or as the case may be, any of the authorities) in whose area the offence is alleged to have been committed.

(6) Where a person is issued with a notice under this regulation in respect of an offence—

(a)no proceedings may be taken for the offence before the end of the period of 28 days following the date the notice is issued;

(b)the person may not be convicted of the offence if the person pays the fixed penalty before the end of that period.

(7) A fixed penalty notice must—

(a)give reasonably detailed particulars of the circumstances alleged to constitute the offence;

(b)state the period during which (because of paragraph (6)(a)) proceedings will not be taken for the offence;

(c)specify the amount of the fixed penalty;

(d)state the name and address of the person to whom the fixed penalty may be paid;

(e)specify permissible methods of payment.

(8) The amount specified under paragraph (7)(c) must be £60 (subject to paragraphs (9) and (10)).

(9) A fixed penalty notice may specify that if £30 is paid before the end of the period of 14 days following the date of the notice, that is the amount of the fixed penalty.

(10) If the person to whom a fixed penalty notice is given has already received a fixed penalty notice under these Regulations—

(a)paragraph (9) does not apply, and

(b)the amount specified as the fixed penalty is to be—

(i)in the case of the second fixed penalty notice received, £120;

(ii)in the case of the third fixed penalty notice received, £240;

(iii)in the case of the fourth fixed penalty notice received, £480;

(iv)in the case of the fifth fixed penalty notice received, £960;

(v)in the case of the sixth and any subsequent fixed penalty notice received, £1920.

(11) In calculating how many fixed penalty notices a person has received, fixed penalty notices issued to that person under the Health Protection (Coronavirus Restrictions) (Wales) Regulations 2020 M28 are to be taken into account.

(12) Whatever other method may be specified under paragraph (7)(e), payment of a fixed penalty may be made by pre-paying and posting to the person whose name is stated under paragraph (7)(d), at the stated address, a letter containing the amount of the penalty (in cash or otherwise).

(13) Where a letter is sent as mentioned in paragraph (12), payment is regarded as having been made at the time at which that letter would be delivered in the ordinary course of post.

(14) In any proceedings, a certificate—

(a)that purports to be signed by or on behalf of the person with responsibility for the financial affairs of—

(i)the local authority, or

(ii)the person designated under paragraph (2)(b),

specified in the fixed penalty notice to which the proceedings relate, and

(b)which states that the payment of a fixed penalty was, or was not, received by the date specified in the certificate,

is evidence of the facts stated.

(15) Where a fixed penalty is issued in respect of the alleged offence of contravening the requirement in regulation 11(4), references in this regulation to a “local authority” are to be read as including references to a National Park authority in Wales.

Commencement Information

I27Reg. 21 in force at 11.7.2020 for specified purposes, see reg. 1(3)(e)

I28Reg. 21 in force at 13.7.2020 in so far as not already in force, see reg. 1(4)

Marginal Citations

M27S.I. 2020/353 (W. 80). Regulation 13 was amended by S.I. 2020/399 (W. 88) and S.I. 2020/529 (W. 124).

ProsecutionsE+W

22.—(1) No proceedings for an offence under these Regulations may be brought other than by the Director of Public Prosecutions or any person designated by the Welsh Ministers.

(2) A person designated by the Welsh Ministers under regulation 14 of the Health Protection (Coronavirus Restrictions) (Wales) Regulations 2020 M29 is to be treated as if designated under this regulation.

Commencement Information

I29Reg. 22 in force at 11.7.2020 for specified purposes, see reg. 1(3)(e)

I30Reg. 22 in force at 13.7.2020 in so far as not already in force, see reg. 1(4)

Marginal Citations

Mark Drakeford

First Minister, one of the Welsh Ministers

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