Matt Hancock (Secretary of State for Health and Social
Care): On 26 March 2020, the Health Protection (Coronavirus,
Restrictions) (England) Regulations 2020 came into force, imposing
restrictions on people’s movements and gatherings, and requiring
the closure of certain retail and public premises, to protect
public health in light of the coronavirus pandemic. We have kept
these Regulations under continual review and have amended these
regulations four times. On 23 June 2020, the Prime...Request free trial
(Secretary of State for Health
and Social Care): On 26 March 2020, the Health
Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) (England) Regulations 2020
came into force, imposing restrictions on people’s movements and
gatherings, and requiring the closure of certain retail and public
premises, to protect public health in light of the coronavirus
pandemic. We have kept these Regulations under continual review and
have amended these regulations four times.
On 23 June 2020, the Prime Minister announced in parliament the
changes being made following the fourth review of the Coronavirus
Regulations. Due to the substantial changes being made at this
point, I am revoking the existing Regulations and replacing them
with The Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) (No. 2)
(England) Regulations 2020. This approach will mean that the
Regulations are clearer and easier for the general public to
understand.
These new regulations mean that from 4 July, a wide range of
sectors have been permitted to re-open, with guidance that COVID-19
Secure measures are implemented in their re-opening. This includes
the hospitality, leisure, tourism, and recreation sectors. Group
prayer and collective worship, overnight stays in self-contained
accommodation, including hotels, second homes, and B&Bs are
also allowed. Although most businesses are now able to open, a
number remain which are still considered too high risk to reopen
due to the likely prolonged exposure and close contact between
individuals; these businesses are listed in the Regulations as
having to remain closed.
These new regulations have also removed the restriction on
overnight stays. The previous gathering limits have been removed
from legislation and replaced with a 30 person limit on gatherings
in private dwellings, ships or boats, and public outdoor spaces.
This new gathering limit will ensure that police have the powers to
prevent the type of gatherings taking place which are not likely to
be able to follow social distancing measures, such as house
parties, boat parties or raves. These gathering limits are subject
to exceptions. These Regulations have removed most of the
restrictions placed on individuals by the previous set of
Regulations, however the Government has provided clear guidance
outlining what steps people should be taking to protect themselves
or others. This outlines that gatherings should be limited to two
households indoors, or two households or six people outdoors
(whichever is greater). It is very important that everyone
continues to follow the guidance – and continues to socially
distance from those they do not live with (or have not formed a
support bubble with).
As national restrictions are rightly relaxed to reflect the lower
infection rates, we must ensure that we have the ability to act
swiftly and effectively where risky behaviour occurs. These
Regulations therefore introduce new powers for the Secretary of
State to either restrict access to or close public outdoor places
(for example beauty spots) by a Direction if this is judged
necessary to protect public health.
As I announced to the House on 29 June, the changes coming into
effect on the 4 July will not apply in Leicester. This follows a
rise in cases and is based on clinical advice. In addition,
non-essential retail based in Leicester has had to close. The new
Regulations make this a legal requirement. In addition, they will
prohibit overnight stays by Leicester residents inside and outside
of Leicester, and by residents from elsewhere within Leicester.
They will continue to prohibit gatherings of more than six people
outdoors and mixing between households, apart from where this is
allowed by the support bubble policy. The new regulations will
continue to only allow places of worship to open for specific
reasons, including private prayer. We are continuing to monitor the
situation and we will review the whether this position can be
changed by 18 July.
Publicly available Government guidance on Gov.uk is being updated
to ensure it fully corresponds with the new Regulations.
