This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/explainers-52106843

The article has changed 24 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 22 Version 23
Coronavirus: What powers do the police have? Coronavirus: What powers do the police have?
(about 8 hours later)
It will become compulsory to wear face coverings in shops in England from Friday 24 July.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?But who is responsible for making sure people follow these and other rules intended to tackle coronavirus?
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.
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.
Can police make me cover my face in a shop?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.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.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.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.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.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?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.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).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.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.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 closePublic 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.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 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? Where else could be shut?
The final part of the revised law in England covers the shrinking list of businesses still closed. Indoor leisure facilities such as bowling alleys, skating rinks and casinos will re-open in England on 1 August (although nightclubs will remain shut).
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 places have stayed closed until now because there was thought to be a risk of coronavirus spreading from close contact.
Police have the power to close these businesses. Police will still have the power to close these businesses again.
However, in practice they're leaving this to local authorities whose trading standards officers can also enforce the law. However, in practice, decisions are more likely to be left 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, if they cannot 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 can enforce closure 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 working for local councils will also be inspecting premises for potential health risks.
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 longstanding power that has been used to contain other diseases.