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Coronavirus: What powers do the police have? | Coronavirus: What powers do the police have? |
(about 5 hours later) | |
It will become compulsory to wear face coverings in shops in England from Friday 24 July. | |
But who is responsible for making sure people follow these and other rules intended to tackle coronavirus? | |
Rules or guidelines? | Rules or guidelines? |
Police have the biggest responsibility for enforcing coronavirus laws - the rules everyone must follow. These differ across the UK's four nations. | Police have the biggest responsibility for enforcing coronavirus laws - the rules everyone must follow. These differ across the UK's four nations. |
But not everything you are asked to do is a legal requirement. | But not everything you are asked to do is a legal requirement. |
Coronavirus guidance describes government recommendations to help control the virus. These are not backed by laws. | Coronavirus guidance describes government recommendations to help control the virus. These are not backed by laws. |
Can police make me cover my face in a shop? | |
From 24 July under the law, you must wear a face covering in shops, supermarkets, transport hubs and shopping centres in England. Masks have been required in shops in Scotland since 10 July. | |
The law will also require a covering - which could be either a mask, scarf or bandana - to be donned when buying takeaway food. | |
Shop staff and security guards have no new powers to enforce the wearing of masks - which means that disputes may need to be resolved by the police. | |
The Police Federation, which represents most front line officers, wants retailers to run a "No Mask, No Entry" policy on the door. It says officers haven't got time to patrol and monitor mask-wearing in shops. | |
If police are forced to intervene, shoppers who refuse to cover their face could face a £100 penalty ticket. The government hopes that personal responsibility and encouragement from business owners will lead to people following the law. | |
Some people are exempt from the face covering rules - including children under 11 and people with certain physical or mental health problems. The law also states that there can be good reasons not to wear a mask - such as to assist someone who relies on lip-reading, or for personal identification at a bank. | |
What about public transport? | |
In England, Scotland and Northern Ireland it's already a legal requirement to cover the mouth and nose on public transport (although some people are exempt). Wales will introduce this rule on 27 July. | In England, Scotland and Northern Ireland it's already a legal requirement to cover the mouth and nose on public transport (although some people are exempt). Wales will introduce this rule on 27 July. |
If you refuse, police officers can issue £100 penalty tickets. The police can also order people off trains and buses - or stop them boarding - as can officers from Transport for London in the capital. | |
Can I hold a party? | Can I hold a party? |
In England, the law allows you to meet in a group of up to 30 people outside, or at home ("outside" means any public place - including beaches, parks, streets and the countryside). | |
So if you want to organise a picnic or garden party, you can now invite 29 guests. | So if you want to organise a picnic or garden party, you can now invite 29 guests. |
If you go above that number, the police can turn up and force people to leave. They could issue you with a £100 penalty ticket (£50 if paid within 14 days), rising to £3,200 for six or more offences. | |
In exceptional cases, the Crown Prosecution Service could take someone to court. | |
The law in England now allows even bigger formally organised gatherings, providing the people behind it can show they have a plan to minimise the risk of spreading coronavirus. | The law in England now allows even bigger formally organised gatherings, providing the people behind it can show they have a plan to minimise the risk of spreading coronavirus. |
Officers can turn up and inspect the organiser's written plan. They can order people to leave if they decide there are genuine dangers. | Officers can turn up and inspect the organiser's written plan. They can order people to leave if they decide there are genuine dangers. |
Lockdown laws in the rest of the UK: | Lockdown laws in the rest of the UK: |
Public places like beaches could close | Public places like beaches could close |
In England, Health Secretary Matt Hancock has an exceptional new power to completely close a specific public place. | In England, Health Secretary Matt Hancock has an exceptional new power to completely close a specific public place. |
And he has also given local councils a suite of new powers to close down premises, stop events and shut down places like parks. | And he has also given local councils a suite of new powers to close down premises, stop events and shut down places like parks. |
This could be used to close beaches or beauty spots if there are concerns about crowds potentially spreading the virus. | |
If the land belongs to the Queen or Prince Charles, a council will first need their permission before it can restrict access. | |
If your favourite beach becomes what the law calls a "restricted area", it would be a crime to go there. | If your favourite beach becomes what the law calls a "restricted area", it would be a crime to go there. |
Who can force nightclubs or bowling alleys to stay shut? | Who can force nightclubs or bowling alleys to stay shut? |
The final part of the revised law in England covers the shrinking list of businesses still closed. | The final part of the revised law in England covers the shrinking list of businesses still closed. |
These are places where there's thought to be a risk of spreading from close contact - such as nightclubs, indoor skating rinks and bowling alleys. | These are places where there's thought to be a risk of spreading from close contact - such as nightclubs, indoor skating rinks and bowling alleys. |
Police have the power to close these businesses. | Police have the power to close these businesses. |
However, in practice they're leaving this to local authorities whose trading standards officers can also enforce the law. | However, in practice they're leaving this to local authorities whose trading standards officers can also enforce the law. |
What if pubs and cafes break the rules? | What if pubs and cafes break the rules? |
Pubs, restaurants, hotels and hair salons can now open in England - but they could still be forced to close. | Pubs, restaurants, hotels and hair salons can now open in England - but they could still be forced to close. |
That's because they have a legal duty to keep their staff and customers safe. | That's because they have a legal duty to keep their staff and customers safe. |
The Health and Safety Executive oversees laws and guidance on a safe working environment. Like the police, it can enforce the law if it believes there is a danger - for instance in an overcrowded factory. | The Health and Safety Executive oversees laws and guidance on a safe working environment. Like the police, it can enforce the law if it believes there is a danger - for instance in an overcrowded factory. |
Environmental health officers - part of your local council - also have responsibility for local safety and, like the police, respond day and night. They'll be inspecting premises for potential health risks. | |
Businesses that are open must be able to show they have plans to reduce the risk of transmission - for instance by creating one-way systems around their premises. | Businesses that are open must be able to show they have plans to reduce the risk of transmission - for instance by creating one-way systems around their premises. |
If a premises was the source of an outbreak, local public health directors could close it while the virus was tackled. This is a long-standing power that has been used to contain other diseases. | If a premises was the source of an outbreak, local public health directors could close it while the virus was tackled. This is a long-standing power that has been used to contain other diseases. |