PART 1 Introductory

Citation, commencement and application

1.-(1) These Regulations may be cited as the Health Protection (Coronavirus, Local COVID-19 Alert Level) (Medium) (England) Regulations 2020.

(2) These Regulations come into force on 14th October 2020.

(3) These Regulations apply-

(a) in England;

(b) in English airspace in relation to aircraft which take off from, or land at, a place in England;

(c) in the English territorial sea in relation to vessels that are not excluded vessels.

(4) In this regulation-

"English airspace" means the airspace above England or above the English territorial sea;

"the English territorial sea" means the part of the territorial sea of the United Kingdom which is adjacent to England;

"excluded vessel" means a vessel which-

Interpretation

2.-(1) In these Regulations-

"care home" has the meaning given by section 3 of the Care Standards Act 2000(2);

"child" means a person under the age of 18;

"coronavirus" means severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2);

"criminal justice accommodation" means-

"Crown interest" means an interest belonging to Her Majesty in right of the Crown, or belonging to a Government department, or held in trust for Her Majesty for the purposes of a Government department, and includes any estate or interest held in right of the Prince and Steward of Scotland;

"Crown land" means land in which there is a Crown interest or a Duchy interest;

"Duchy interest" means an interest belonging to Her Majesty in right of the Duchy of Lancaster, or belonging to the Duchy of Cornwall;

"parent" of a child includes any person who is not a parent of the child but who has parental responsibility for, or who has care of, the child;

"parental responsibility" has the meaning given in section 3 of the Children Act 1989(6);

"person responsible" for carrying on a business includes the owner, proprietor and manager of that business;

"Tier 1 area" has the meaning given by regulation 3(2)(b);

"Tier 1 restrictions" has the meaning given by regulation 3(2)(a);

"vessel" means any ship, boat, barge, lighter or raft and any other description of craft, whether used in navigation or not.

(2) For the purposes of these Regulations, references to a "local authority" include references to a county council.

PART 2 Tier 1 restrictions

Tier 1 restrictions

3.-(1) Tier 1 restrictions apply in relation to the Tier 1 area in accordance with Schedule 1.

(2) In these Regulations-

(a) references to "Tier 1 restrictions" are references to the restrictions and requirements set out in Schedule 1;

(b) references to the "Tier 1 area" are references to every area of England (including the territorial waters adjacent to England and the airspace above England and those territorial waters) other than the excluded area.

(3) The excluded area for the purposes of paragraph (2)(b) is the area for the time being specified or described in Schedule 2.

PART 3 Enforcement

Enforcement of restrictions and requirements

4.-(1) A relevant person may take such action as is necessary to enforce any Tier 1 restriction.

(2) A relevant person may give a prohibition notice to a person if the relevant person reasonably believes that-

(a) the person is contravening a Tier 1 restriction imposed by Part 2 or 3 of Schedule 1, and

(b) it is necessary and proportionate to give the prohibition notice for the purpose of preventing that person from continuing to contravene the restriction.

(3) Where a relevant person considers that a number of people are gathered together in contravention of the Tier 1 restriction imposed by paragraph 1 of Schedule 1, the relevant person may-

(a) direct the gathering to disperse,

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

(c) remove any person from the gathering.

(4) A relevant person exercising the power in paragraph (3)(c) to remove a person from a gathering may use reasonable force, if necessary, in exercise of the power.

(5) Where a person who is in a gathering in contravention of the Tier 1 restriction imposed by paragraph 1 of Schedule 1 is a child accompanied by an individual who has responsibility for the child-

(a) the relevant person may direct the individual to take the child to the place where the child is living, and

(b) that individual must, so far as reasonably practicable, ensure that the child complies with any direction or instruction given by the relevant person to the child.

(6) Where a relevant person has reasonable grounds to believe that a child is repeatedly failing to comply with the Tier 1 restriction imposed by paragraph 1 of Schedule 1, the relevant person may direct any individual who has responsibility for the child to secure, so far as reasonably practicable, that the child complies with the restriction.

(7) A relevant person may exercise a power under paragraph (3), (5) or (6) only if the relevant person considers that it is a necessary and proportionate means of ensuring compliance with the Tier 1 restriction imposed by paragraph 1 of Schedule 1.

(8) A relevant person exercising a power under paragraph (3), (5) or (6) may give the person concerned any reasonable instructions the relevant person considers to be necessary.

(9) For the purposes of this regulation-

(a) an individual has responsibility for a child if the individual-

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

(ii) has parental responsibility for the child;

(b) "relevant person" means-

(i) a constable,

(ii) a police community support officer,

(iii) subject to paragraph (10), a person designated by a local authority for the purposes of this regulation, or

(iv) a person designated by the Secretary of State for the purposes of this regulation.

(10) A local authority may designate a person for the purposes of this regulation only in relation to a Tier 1 restriction imposed by Part 2 or 3 of Schedule 1.

Offences and penalties

5.-(1) A person commits an offence if, without reasonable excuse, the person-

(a) contravenes a Tier 1 restriction,

(b) contravenes a requirement imposed, or a direction given, under regulation 4,

(c) fails to comply with a reasonable instruction or a prohibition notice given by a relevant person under regulation 4, or

(d) obstructs any person carrying out a function under these Regulations (including any person who is a relevant person for the purposes of regulation 4).

(2) An offence under this regulation is punishable on summary conviction by a fine.

(3) If an offence under this regulation committed by a body corporate is proved-

(a) to have been committed with the consent or connivance of an officer of the body corporate, 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, proceeded against and punished accordingly.

(4) In paragraph (3) "officer", in relation to a body corporate, means a director, manager, secretary or other similar officer of the body corporate.

(5) Section 24 of the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984(7) applies in relation to an offence under this regulation as if the reasons in subsection (5) of that section included-

(a) to maintain public health;

(b) to maintain public order.

Fixed penalty notices

6.-(1) An authorised person may issue a fixed penalty notice to anyone that the authorised person 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 an authority specified in the notice.

(3) The authority specified in the notice must be-

(a) the local authority (or as the case may be, any of the local authorities) in whose area the offence is alleged to have been committed ("the relevant local authority"), or

(b) an officer designated by the Secretary of State, or by the relevant local authority, for the purposes of this regulation ("the designated officer").

(4) 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 of the notice;

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

(5) 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 (4)(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.

(6) Except in the cases mentioned in paragraphs (9) and (10), the amount of the fixed penalty to be specified under paragraph (5)(c) is as follows-

(a) if the fixed penalty notice is the first one issued to the person under a relevant enactment, the amount is-

(i) £100, if the amount is paid before the end of the period of 14 days following the date of the notice;

(ii) otherwise, £200;

(b) if the fixed penalty notice is not the first one issued to the person under a relevant enactment, the amount is-

(i) £400, if it is the second fixed penalty notice so issued;

(ii) £800, if it is the third fixed penalty notice so issued;

(iii) £1,600, if it is the fourth fixed penalty notice so issued;

(iv) £3,200, if it is the fifth fixed penalty notice so issued;

(v) £6,400, if it is the sixth or any subsequent fixed penalty notice so issued.

(7) In paragraph (6) "relevant enactment" means-

(a) these Regulations;

(b) the Health Protection (Coronavirus, Local COVID-19 Alert Level) (High) (England) Regulations 2020;

(c) the Health Protection (Coronavirus, Local COVID-19 Alert Level) (Very High) (England) Regulations 2020;

(d) the Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) (England) Regulations 2020(8);

(e) the Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) (No. 2) (England) Regulations 2020(9);

(f) the Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) (Leicester) Regulations 2020(10);

(g) the Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) (England) (No. 3) Regulations 2020(11);

(h) the Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) (Blackburn with Darwen and Luton) Regulations 2020(12);

(i) the Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) (Blackburn with Darwen and Bradford) Regulations 2020(13);

(j) the Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) (Leicester) (No. 2) Regulations 2020(14);

(k) the Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) (North of England) Regulations 2020(15);

(l) the Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) (Bolton) Regulations 2020(16);

(m) the Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) (Birmingham, Sandwell and Solihull) Regulations 2020(17);

(n) the Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) (North East and North West of England) Regulations 2020(18).

(8) For the purposes of determining how many fixed penalty notices have been issued to a person under a relevant enactment, no account is to be taken of any fixed penalty notice issued to the person under-

(a) these Regulations, if the notice was issued to the person in respect of a business restriction offence or an offence of contravening the Tier 1 restriction imposed by paragraph 2 of Schedule 1;

(b) the Health Protection (Coronavirus, Local COVID-19 Alert Level) (High) (England) Regulations 2020, if the notice was issued to the person in respect of a business restriction offence as defined by regulation 6(12) of those Regulations or an offence of contravening a restriction or requirement imposed by paragraph 3 of Schedule 1 to those Regulations;

(c) the Health Protection (Coronavirus, Local COVID-19 Alert Level) (Very High) (England) Regulations 2020, if the notice was issued to the person in respect of a business restriction offence as defined by regulation 6(12) of those Regulations or an offence of contravening a restriction or requirement imposed by paragraph 3 of Schedule 1 to those Regulations;

(d) the Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) (No. 2) (England) Regulations 2020, if the notice was issued to the person in respect of an offence of contravening a restriction or requirement imposed by regulation 4A, 4B, 5A or 5B of those Regulations;

(e) the Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) (England) (No. 3) Regulations 2020, if the notice was issued to the person in respect of a business restriction offence, as defined by regulation 14(7D)(19) of those Regulations, committed on or after 14th October 2020.

(9) In the case of a fixed penalty notice issued in respect of the offence under regulation 5(1)(a) of contravening a Tier 1 restriction imposed by paragraph 2 of Schedule 1, the amount of the fixed penalty to be specified under paragraph (5)(c) is £10,000.

(10) In the case of a fixed penalty notice issued in respect of a business restriction offence, the amount of the fixed penalty to be specified under paragraph (5)(c) is-

(a) £1,000, if the fixed penalty notice is the first one issued to the person in respect of a business restriction offence;

(b) £2,000, if the fixed penalty notice is the second one issued to the person in respect of a business restriction offence;

(c) £4,000, if the fixed penalty notice is the third one issued to the person in respect of a business restriction offence;

(d) £10,000, if the fixed penalty notice is the fourth one, or any subsequent one, issued to the person in respect of a business restriction offence.

(11) In determining how many fixed penalty notices have been issued to a person for the purposes of paragraph (10), a fixed penalty notice issued to the person under the following Regulations is to be treated as if it were issued in respect of a business restriction offence-

(a) the Health Protection (Coronavirus, Local COVID-19 Alert Level) (High) (England) Regulations 2020, if the notice was issued to the person in respect of a business restriction offence as defined by regulation 6(12) of those Regulations;

(b) the Health Protection (Coronavirus, Local COVID-19 Alert Level) (Very High) (England) Regulations 2020, if the notice was issued to the person in respect of a business restriction offence as defined by regulation 6(12) of those Regulations;

(c) the Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) (No. 2) (England) Regulations 2020, if the notice was issued to the person in respect of an offence of contravening regulation 4A or 4B of those Regulations;

(d) the Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) (England) (No. 3) Regulations 2020, if the notice was issued to the person in respect of a business restriction offence, as defined by regulation 14(7D) of those Regulations, committed on or after 14th October 2020;

(e) the Health Protection (Coronavirus, Collection of Contact Details etc and Related Requirements) Regulations 2020(20);

(f) the Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) (Obligations of Undertakings) (England) Regulations 2020(21).

(12) In this regulation, unless otherwise specified "business restriction offence" means-

(a) an offence under regulation 5(1)(a) of contravening a Tier 1 restriction imposed by Part 2 or 3 of Schedule 1;

(b) an offence under regulation 5(1)(c) of failing to comply with a prohibition notice given under regulation 4.

(13) Whatever other method may be specified under paragraph (5)(e), payment of a fixed penalty may be made by pre-paying and posting to the person whose name is stated under paragraph (5)(d), at the stated address, a letter containing the amount of the penalty (in cash or otherwise).

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

(15) In any proceedings, a certificate-

(a) that purports to be signed by or on behalf of-

(i) the chief finance officer of the relevant local authority, where the authority to which payment is made is a local authority, or

(ii) the designated officer, where that officer is the authority to which payment is made, and

(b) that 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.

(16) In this regulation-

(a) "authorised person" means-

(i) a constable;

(ii) a police community support officer;

(iii) a person designated by the Secretary of State for the purposes of this regulation;

(iv) subject to paragraph (17), a person designated by the relevant local authority for the purposes of this regulation;

(b) "chief finance officer", in relation to a local authority, means the person with responsibility for the authority's financial affairs.

(17) The relevant local authority may only designate a person for the purposes of this regulation to issue fixed penalty notices where the alleged offence relates to-

(a) the contravention of a Tier 1 restriction imposed by Part 2 or 3 of Schedule 1, or

(b) the obstruction under regulation 5(1)(d) of a person carrying out a function under regulation 4.

Prosecutions

7.  Proceedings for an offence under these Regulations may be brought by the Crown Prosecution Service and any person designated by the Secretary of State.

PART 4 Final provisions

Review

8.-(1) The Secretary of State must review the need for each of the Tier 1 restrictions at least once every 28 days, with the first review to be carried out by 11th November 2020.

(2) In carrying out a review under this regulation the Secretary of State must in particular consider whether each of the Tier 1 restrictions continues to be necessary for the purposes of preventing, protecting against, controlling or providing a public health response to the incidence or spread of infection in England with the coronavirus.

Expiry

9.-(1) These Regulations expire at the end of the period of six months beginning with the day on which they come into force.

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

Consequential and other amendments and transitional and saving provisions

10.-(1) Part 1 of Schedule 3 contains consequential and other amendments.

(2) Part 2 of Schedule 3 contains transitional and saving provisions.

Regulation 3

SCHEDULE 1 Tier 1 restrictions

PART 1 Restrictions on gatherings

Participation in gatherings

1.-(1) No person may participate in a gathering in the Tier 1 area which consists of more than six people.

(2) Sub-paragraph (1) does not apply if any of the exceptions set out in paragraph 3 apply.

(3) This paragraph does not permit a person to participate in a gathering in the Tier 1 area in contravention of-

(a) paragraph 1(2) or 2(2) of Schedule 1 to the Health Protection (Coronavirus, Local COVID-19 Alert Level) (High) (England) Regulations 2020, or

(b) paragraph 1(2) or 2(2) of Schedule 1 to the Health Protection (Coronavirus, Local COVID-19 Alert Level) (Very High) (England) Regulations 2020.

Organisation or facilitation of gatherings

2.-(1) No person may hold, or be involved in the holding of, a relevant gathering in the Tier 1 area.

(2) For the purposes of sub-paragraph (1) a person who only participates in a gathering by attending it is not to be taken as being involved in the holding of the gathering.

(3) A gathering is a "relevant gathering" for the purposes of this paragraph if it falls within sub-paragraph (4) or (5).

(4) A gathering falls within this sub-paragraph if it-

(a) consists of more than 30 persons,

(b) takes place indoors, and

(c) would be a gathering of the kind mentioned in section 63(1) of the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994(22) (powers to remove persons attending or preparing for a rave) if it took place in the open air.

(5) A gathering falls within this sub-paragraph if it does not fall within sub-paragraph (4) and it-

(a) consists of more than 30 persons,

(b) takes place-

(i) in a private dwelling,

(ii) on a vessel, or

(iii) on land which satisfies the condition in sub-paragraph (6), and

(c) is not a gathering in relation to which any of the exceptions set out in paragraph 3 (so far as capable of applying to the gathering) apply.

(6) Land satisfies the condition in this sub-paragraph if it is a public outdoor place which is not-

(a) operated by a business or a charitable, benevolent or philanthropic institution, or

(b) part of premises used for the operation of a business, a charitable, benevolent or philanthropic institution or a public body.

(7) In sub-paragraph (5)(b)(ii) "vessel" does not include government vessels, vessels used for public transport or houseboats.

(8) In applying for the purposes of sub-paragraph (5)(c) the exceptions set out in paragraph 3, the following do not apply-

(a) paragraph 3(3)(a), so far as relating to gatherings in public outdoor places operated by public bodies, and

(b) paragraph 3(3)(b).

Exceptions

3.-(1) These are the exceptions referred to in paragraphs 1 and 2(5)(c).

Exception 1: same or linked households

(2) Exception 1 is that all the people in the gathering-

(a) are members of the same household, or

(b) are members of two households which are linked households in relation to each other (see paragraph 4).

Exception 2: permitted organised gatherings

(3) Exception 2 is that-

(a) the gathering is a permitted organised gathering for the purposes of this paragraph (see paragraph 5), and

(b) the person concerned participates in the gathering alone or as a member of a qualifying group.

Exception 3: gatherings necessary for certain purposes

(4) Exception 3 is that the gathering is reasonably necessary-

(a) for work purposes or for the provision of voluntary or charitable services;

(b) for the purposes of education or training;

(c) for the purposes of-

(i) childcare provided by a person registered under Part 3 of the Childcare Act 2006(23), or

(ii) supervised activities for children;

(d) to provide emergency assistance;

(e) to enable one or more persons in the gathering to avoid injury or illness or to escape a risk of harm;

(f) to provide care or assistance to a vulnerable person, including relevant personal care within the meaning of paragraph 7(3B) of Schedule 4 to the Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act 2006(24);

(g) for the purposes of arrangements for access to, and contact between, parents and children where the children do not live in the same household as their parents or one of their parents;

(h) for the purposes of arrangements for contact between siblings where they do not live in the same household and one or more of them is-

(i) a child looked after by a local authority, within the meaning of section 22 of the Children Act 1989(25), or

(ii) a relevant child, within the meaning of section 23A(26) of that Act;

(i) for the purposes of arrangements for prospective adopters (including their household) to meet a child or children who may be placed with the prospective adopters as provided for by an adoption placement plan drawn up in accordance with the Adoption Agencies Regulations 2005(27) (see regulation 35(2) of those Regulations).

Exception 4: legal obligations and proceedings

(5) Exception 4 is that the person concerned is fulfilling a legal obligation or participating in legal proceedings.

Exception 5: criminal justice accommodation

(6) Exception 5 is that the gathering takes place in criminal justice accommodation.

Exception 6: support groups

(7) Exception 6 is that the gathering-

(a) is of a support group (see paragraph 7(4)),

(b) consists of no more than 15 persons, and

(c) takes place at premises other than a private dwelling.

Exception 7: births

(8) Exception 7 is that the person concerned is attending a person giving birth ("M") at M's request.

Exception 8: marriages and civil partnerships etc

(9) Exception 8 is that the gathering consists of no more than 15 persons and-

(a) it is for the purposes of-

(i) the solemnisation of a marriage, formation of a civil partnership or conversion of a civil partnership into a marriage, in accordance with the Marriage Act 1949(28), the Marriage (Registrar General's Licence) Act 1970(29) or the Civil Partnership Act 2004(30), or

(ii) an alternative wedding ceremony (see paragraph 7(5)), and

(b) the gathering organiser or manager takes the required precautions in relation to the gathering (see paragraph 6).

Exception 9: wedding and civil partnership receptions

(10) Exception 9 is that the gathering is for the purposes of a wedding reception, a reception following the formation of a civil partnership or a reception following the conversion of a civil partnership into a marriage and-

(a) it consists of no more than 15 persons,

(b) it takes place in premises other than a private dwelling, and

(c) the gathering organiser or manager takes the required precautions in relation to the gathering (see paragraph 6).

Exception 10: funerals

(11) Exception 10 is that-

(a) the gathering is for the purposes of a funeral,

(b) the gathering consists of no more than 30 persons,

(c) the gathering takes place-

(i) at premises, other than a private dwelling, which are operated by a business, a charitable, benevolent or philanthropic institution or a public body,

(ii) at premises, other than a private dwelling, which are part of premises used for the operation of a business, a charitable, benevolent or philanthropic institution or a public body, or

(iii) in a public outdoor place not falling within sub-paragraph (i) or (ii), and

(d) the gathering organiser or manager (in the case of a gathering taking place at premises mentioned in paragraph (c)(i) or (ii)) or the gathering organiser (in the case of a gathering taking place as mentioned in paragraph (c)(iii)) takes the required precautions in relation to the gathering (see paragraph 6).

Exception 11: commemorative event following a person's death

(12) Exception 11 is that-

(a) the gathering is for the purposes of a commemorative event to celebrate the life of a person who has died (for example, a wake or stone setting ceremony),

(b) the gathering consists of no more than 15 persons,

(c) the gathering takes place at premises other than a private dwelling, and

(d) the gathering organiser or manager takes the required precautions in relation to the gathering (see paragraph 6).

Exception 12: protests

(13) Exception 12 is that the gathering is for the purposes of protest and-

(a) it has been organised by a business, a charitable, benevolent or philanthropic institution, a public body or a political body, and

(b) the gathering organiser takes the required precautions in relation to the gathering (see paragraph 6).

Exception 13: elite sports

(14) Exception 13 is that-

(a) the person concerned is an elite sportsperson, the coach of an elite sportsperson or (in the case of an elite sportsperson who is a child) the parent of an elite sportsperson, and

(b) the gathering is necessary for training or competition.

Exception 14: other sports

(15) Exception 14 is that the person concerned is taking part in an outdoor sports gathering or a permitted indoor sports gathering (see paragraph 7(6)).

Exception 15: outdoor activities

(16) Exception 15 is that the gathering takes place outdoors (whether or not in a public outdoor place) and-

(a) it is for the purposes of a relevant outdoor activity (see paragraph 7(8)), and

(b) the gathering organiser takes the required precautions in relation to the gathering (see paragraph 6).

Exception 16: Remembrance Sunday

(17) Exception 16 is that-

(a) the gathering takes place to commemorate Remembrance Sunday,

(b) the persons attending the gathering are limited to-

(i) persons there as part of their work,

(ii) persons providing voluntary services in connection with the event,

(iii) members of the armed forces,

(iv) veterans of the armed forces or their representatives or carers,

(v) spectators who participate in the gathering alone or as a member of a qualifying group, and

(c) the gathering organiser or manager takes the required precautions in relation to the gathering (see paragraph 6).

Linked households

4.-(1) For the purposes of this Part of this Schedule, a "linked household" means a household that is linked with another household in accordance with this paragraph.

(2) Where a household comprises one adult, or one adult and one or more persons who were under the age of 18 on 12th June 2020 ("the first household"), the adult may choose to be linked with one other household ("the second household").

(3) But sub-paragraph (2) applies only if-

(a) all adult members of the second household agree,

(b) neither the first household nor the second household are linked with any other household for the purposes of these Regulations or any other regulations made under Part 2A of the Public Health (Control of Disease) Act 1984, and

(c) neither of those households were, in the period beginning with 14th September 2020 and ending with 14th October 2020, linked with any other household for the purposes of any other regulations made under that Part.

(4) There is no limit on the number of adults or children who may be in the second household.

(5) The first and second households are "linked households" in relation to each other.

(6) The first and second households cease to be linked households if neither household satisfies the condition in sub-paragraph (2).

(7) Once the first and second households have ceased to be linked households, neither the first household nor the second household may be linked with any other household.

(8) The references in sub-paragraph (3) to neither household being linked with any other household do not include being linked with another household only for the purposes of informal childcare in accordance with regulations made under Part 2A of the Public Health (Control of Disease) Act 1984.

Permitted organised gatherings and qualifying groups

5.-(1) A gathering is a permitted organised gathering for the purposes of paragraph 3(3) if sub-paragraph (2) or (3) applies.

(2) This sub-paragraph applies to a gathering if it takes place on or at premises, other than a private dwelling, which are-

(a) operated by a business, a charitable, benevolent or philanthropic institution or a public body, or

(b) part of premises used for the operation of a business, a charitable, benevolent or philanthropic institution or a public body.

(3) This sub-paragraph applies to a gathering if it takes place in a public outdoor place not falling within sub-paragraph (2) and-

(a) the gathering has been organised by a business, a charitable, benevolent or philanthropic institution, a public body or a political body, and

(b) the gathering organiser takes the required precautions in relation to the gathering (see paragraph 6).

(4) A person participates in a gathering as a member of a qualifying group for the purpose of paragraph 3(3) only if the person is a part of a qualifying group and, whilst participating in the gathering, the person does not-

(a) become a member of any other group of persons participating in the gathering (whether or not that group is a qualifying group), or

(b) otherwise mingle with any person who is participating in the gathering but is not a member of the same qualifying group as them.

(5) In sub-paragraph (4) "qualifying group", in relation to a gathering, means a group of people who are participating in that gathering and which-

(a) consists of no more than 6 persons, or

(b) consists only of persons who are members of the same household, or who are members of two households which are linked households in relation to each other.

The required precautions

6.-(1) The gathering organiser or (as the case may be) the manager in relation to a gathering takes the required precautions for the purposes of this Part of this Schedule by meeting both of the following requirements.

(2) The first requirement is that the gathering organiser or manager has carried out a risk assessment that would satisfy the requirements of regulation 3 of the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999(31) (whether or not the organiser or manager is subject to those Regulations).

(3) The second requirement is that the gathering organiser or manager has taken all reasonable measures to limit the risk of transmission of the coronavirus, taking into account-

(a) the risk assessment carried out under sub-paragraph (2), and

(b) any guidance issued by the government which is relevant to the gathering.

Paragraph 3: further interpretation

7.-(1) In paragraph 3(4)(c) "childcare" has the same meaning as in section 18 of the Childcare Act 2006(32).

(2) In paragraph 3(4)(f) "vulnerable person" includes-

(a) any person aged 70 or older;

(b) any person aged under 70 who has an underlying health condition, including (but not limited to) the conditions listed in sub-paragraph (3);

(c) any person who is pregnant.

(3) The conditions referred to in sub-paragraph (2)(b) are-

(a) chronic (long-term) respiratory diseases, such as asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, emphysema or bronchitis;

(b) chronic heart disease, such as heart failure;

(c) chronic kidney disease;

(d) chronic liver disease, such as hepatitis;

(e) chronic neurological conditions, such as Parkinson's disease, motor neurone disease, multiple sclerosis, a learning disability or cerebral palsy;

(f) diabetes;

(g) problems with the spleen, such as sickle cell disease or removal of the spleen;

(h) a weakened immune system as a result of conditions such as HIV and AIDS, or medicines such as steroid tablets or chemotherapy;

(i) being seriously overweight with a body mass index of 40 or above.

(4) In paragraph 3(7) "support group" means a group which is organised by a business, a charitable, benevolent or philanthropic institution or a public body to provide mutual aid, therapy or any other form of support to its members or those who attend its meetings, for example those providing support-

(a) to victims of crime (including domestic abuse);

(b) to those with, or recovering from, addictions (including alcohol, narcotics or other substance addictions) or addictive patterns of behaviour;

(c) to new parents;

(d) to those with, or caring for persons with, any long-term illness or terminal condition or who are vulnerable;

(e) to those facing issues related to their sexuality or identity including those living as lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender;

(f) to those who have suffered bereavement.

(5) In paragraph 3(9), a gathering is for the purposes of an "alternative wedding ceremony" if-

(a) it is for the purposes of a ceremony, including a ceremony based on a person's faith or belief or lack of belief, to mark the union of two people, other than a ceremony conducted for a purpose mentioned in paragraph 3(9)(a)(i), and

(b) it takes place-

(i) at premises, other than a private dwelling, which are operated by a business, a charitable, benevolent or philanthropic institution or a public body,

(ii) at premises, other than a private dwelling, which are part of premises used for the operation of a business, a charitable, benevolent or philanthropic institution or a public body, or

(iii) in a public outdoor place not falling within sub-paragraph (i) or (ii).

(6) In paragraph 3(15)-

(a) an "outdoor sports gathering" means a gathering-

(i) which is organised by a business, a charitable, benevolent or philanthropic organisation or a public body for the purposes of allowing persons who are not elite sportspersons to take part in any sport or other fitness related activity,

(ii) which takes place outdoors, and

(iii) in respect of which the gathering organiser or manager takes the required precautions (see paragraph 6);

(b) a "permitted indoor sports gathering" means a gathering which is organised for the purposes of allowing persons who have a disability and who are not elite sportspersons to take part in any sport or other fitness related activity, and-

(i) which is organised by a business, a charitable, benevolent or philanthropic institution or a public body,

(ii) which takes place indoors on relevant premises, and

(iii) in respect of which the gathering organiser or manager of the relevant premises complies with the required precautions (see paragraph 6),

and a person taking part in an outdoor sports gathering or a permitted indoor sports gathering does not include a spectator or the parent of a child taking part in the gathering.

(7) For the purposes of sub-paragraph (6)(b)-

(a) "relevant premises" means premises (other than a private dwelling)-

(i) which are operated by a business, a charitable, benevolent or philanthropic institution or a public body, or

(ii) which are part of premises used for the operation of a business, a charitable, benevolent or philanthropic institution or a public body;

(b) a person has a disability if they have a physical or mental impairment which has a substantial and long term adverse effect on their ability to carry out normal day-to-day activities.

(8) Regulations 3 to 5 of the Equality Act 2010 (Disability) Regulations 2010(33) apply in considering for the purposes of sub-paragraph (7)(b) whether a person has an impairment.

(9) In paragraph 3(16) "relevant outdoor activity" means a physical activity which is carried on outdoors and for which a licence, permit or certificate issued by a public body to carry on the activity, or for any equipment used for the purposes of the activity, must be held by-

(a) the gathering organiser, or

(b) any person taking part in the activity.

(10) In sub-paragraph (9) the reference to a licence does not include a licence to drive a motor vehicle in the United Kingdom or to serve food or alcohol.

General interpretation

8.-(1) This paragraph applies for the purposes of this Part of this Schedule.

(2) A gathering takes place when two or more persons are present together in the same place in order-

(a) to engage in any form of social interaction with each other, or

(b) to undertake any other activity with each other.

(3) A gathering takes place in the Tier 1 area if any part of the place where it takes place is in the Tier 1 area.

(4) A place is indoors if it would be considered to be enclosed, or substantially enclosed, for the purposes of section 2 of the Health Act 2006(34), under the Smoke-free (Premises and Enforcement) Regulations 2006(35).

(5) A place is a "public outdoor place" if it is an outdoor place to which the public have, or are permitted, access (whether on payment or otherwise) and includes-

(a) land laid out as a public garden or used for the purpose of recreation by members of the public;

(b) land which is "open country" as defined in section 59(2) of the National Parks and Access to the Countryside Act 1949(36), as read with section 16 of the Countryside Act 1968(37);

(c) land which is "access land" for the purposes of Part 1 of the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000(38) (see section 1(1) of that Act)(39);

(d) any highway to which the public has access;

(e) Crown land to which the public has access.

(6) References to a "private dwelling"-

(a) include references to a houseboat and any garden, yard, passage, stair, outhouse or other appurtenance of the dwelling;

(b) do not, except in paragraph 5(2), include references to the following-

(i) accommodation in a hotel, hostel, campsite, caravan park, members' club, boarding house or bed and breakfast accommodation;

(ii) care homes;

(iii) children's homes, within the meaning of section 1 of the Care Standards Act 2000;

(iv) Residential Family Centres, within the meaning of section 4 of that Act;

(v) educational accommodation;

(vi) accommodation intended for use by the army, navy or air force;

(vii) criminal justice accommodation.

(7) "A charitable, benevolent or philanthropic institution" means-

(a) a charity, or

(b) an institution, other than a charity, established for charitable, benevolent or philanthropic purposes.

(8) "Educational accommodation" means-

(a) accommodation provided for students whilst they are boarding at school, and

(b) halls of residence provided for students attending higher education courses and equivalent accommodation provided for students attending further education courses.

(9) "Elite sportsperson" means an individual who-

(a) derives a living from competing in a sport,

(b) is a senior representative nominated by a relevant sporting body,

(c) is a member of the senior training squad for a relevant sporting body, or

(d) is aged 16 or above and is on an elite development pathway.

(10) "The gathering organiser", in relation to a gathering, means the person responsible for organising the gathering.

(11) "The manager", in relation to a gathering, means the person responsible for the management of the premises on which the gathering takes place.

(12) "A political body" means-

(a) a political party registered under Part 2 of the Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act 2000(40), or

(b) a political campaigning organisation within the meaning of regulation 2 of the Health and Social Care (Financial Assistance) Regulations 2009(41).

(13) For the purposes of the definition of "elite sportsperson" in sub-paragraph (9)-

(a) "elite development pathway" means a development pathway established by the national governing body of a sport to prepare sportspersons-

(i) so that they may derive a living from competing in that sport, or

(ii) to compete in that sport at the Tokyo or Beijing Olympic or Paralympic Games, or, if that sport is not part of the Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic Games programme, in the Commonwealth Games to be held in Birmingham;

(b) "relevant sporting body" means the national governing body of a sport which may nominate sportspersons to represent-

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

(ii) England, Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland, Gibraltar, Guernsey, Jersey or the Isle of Man at the Commonwealth Games to be held in Birmingham in those sports which are not part of the Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic Games programme;

(c) "senior representative" means an individual who is considered by a relevant sporting body to be a candidate to qualify to compete on behalf of-

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

(ii) England, Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland, Gibraltar, Guernsey, Jersey or the Isle of Man at the Commonwealth Games to be held in Birmingham in those sports which are not part of the Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic Games programme.

PART 2 Closure of businesses

Requirement to close premises and businesses

9.-(1) A person responsible for carrying on a restricted business, or providing a restricted service, in the Tier 1 area must cease to carry on that business or provide that service.

(2) Where a restricted business or restricted service forms, or is provided as, part of a larger business and that larger business is not itself a restricted business, the person responsible for carrying on the larger business complies with the requirement in sub-paragraph (1) by closing down the restricted business or by ceasing to provide the restricted service.

(3) The requirement in sub-paragraph (1) is subject to the exceptions in paragraph 11.

(4) In this Part of this Schedule "restricted business" and "restricted service" means a business or service which-

(a) is of a kind specified in paragraph 10(1), or

(b) is carried on from, or provided at, premises of a kind specified in paragraph 10(1).

Restricted businesses and services for purposes of this Part of this Schedule

10.-(1) The following are restricted businesses and restricted services for the purposes of this Part of this Schedule-

(a) nightclubs;

(b) dance halls;

(c) discotheques;

(d) any other venue which-

(i) opens at night,

(ii) has a dance floor or other space for dancing by members of the public (and for these purposes members of the venue in question are to be considered members of the public), and

(iii) provides music, whether live or recorded, for dancing;

(e) sexual entertainment venues;

(f) hostess bars.

(2) A business or service does not fall within sub-paragraph (1)(b), (c) or (d) if it ceases to provide music and dancing.

(3) In sub-paragraph (1)(e) "sexual entertainment venue" has the meaning given in paragraph 2A of Schedule 3 to the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1982(42).

(4) In sub-paragraph (1)(f) "hostess bar" has the meaning given by paragraph 3B of that Schedule(43).

Exceptions from paragraph 9(1)

11.-(1) Paragraph 9(1) does not prevent the use of premises used for a restricted business or restricted service to host blood donation sessions.

(2) Paragraph 9(1) does not prevent a person responsible for carrying on a restricted business or providing a restricted service ("the closed business") from-

(a) carrying on a business of offering goods for sale or for hire in a shop which is separate from the premises used for the closed business;

(b) carrying on a business of offering goods for sale or for hire by making deliveries or otherwise providing services in response to orders received-

(i) through a website, or otherwise by on-line communication,

(ii) by telephone, including orders by text message, or

(iii) by post;

(c) operating a café or restaurant, if the café or restaurant is separate from the premises used for the closed business.

(3) For the purposes of sub-paragraph (2), a shop, café or restaurant ("SCR") is separate from premises used for the closed business if-

(a) the SCR is in a self-contained unit, and

(b) it is possible for a member of the public to enter the SCR from a place outside those premises.

PART 3 Other restrictions on businesses

Restrictions on opening hours of businesses and services

12.-(1) A person responsible for carrying on a restricted business or providing a restricted service ("P") in the Tier 1 area must not carry on that business or provide that service between the hours of 22:00 and 05:00.

(2) Where a restricted business or restricted service forms, or is provided as, part of a larger business and that larger business is not itself a restricted business, the person responsible for carrying on the larger business complies with the requirement in sub-paragraph (1) by not carrying on the restricted business, or by ceasing to provide the restricted service, between the hours of 22:00 and 05:00.

(3) Sub-paragraph (1) is subject to the exceptions in paragraph 13.

(4) In this Part of this Schedule "restricted business" and "restricted service" mean a business or service which-

(a) is of a kind specified in paragraph 15(2) or (3), or

(b) is carried on from, or provided at, premises of a kind specified in paragraph 15(2) or (3).

Exceptions from paragraph 12(1)

13.-(1) Paragraph 12(1) does not prevent P selling food or drink for consumption off the premises between the hours of 22:00 and 05:00-

(a) by making deliveries in response to orders received-

(i) through a website, or otherwise by on-line communication,

(ii) by telephone, including orders by text message, or

(iii) by post,

(b) to a purchaser who collects the food or drink that has been pre-ordered by a means mentioned in paragraph (a)(i) to (iii), provided the purchaser does not enter inside the premises to do so, or

(c) to a purchaser who collects the food or drink in a vehicle, and to whom the food or drink is passed without the purchaser or any other person leaving the vehicle.

(2) Where P's restricted business or restricted service is carried on from, or provided at, a cinema, theatre or concert hall, paragraph 12(1) does not prevent P carrying on that business or providing that service at or after 22:00 hours for the purpose of concluding a performance which began before that time.

(3) Paragraph 12(1) does not prevent P carrying on a restricted business, or providing a restricted service, of a kind specified in paragraph 15(2)(a) to (c) between the hours of 22:00 and 05:00 if-

(a) the business or service is carried on or provided within a motorway service area, and

(b) alcohol is not served between those hours in the carrying on of the business, or the provision of the service, concerned.

(4) Paragraph 12(1) does not prevent P carrying on a restricted business, or providing a restricted service, of a kind specified in paragraph 15(2)(a) to (e) between the hours of 22:00 and 05:00 if-

(a) the business or service is carried on or provided within a part of-

(i) any airport or maritime port, or

(ii) the international rail terminal area within the vicinity of Cheriton, Folkstone (as referred to in section 1(7)(b) of the Channel Tunnel Act 1987(44)),

(b) that part of the airport, maritime port or terminal area is accessible between those hours to passengers, crew or other authorised persons but not to members of the general public, and

(c) alcohol is not served between those hours in the carrying on of the business, or the provision of the service, concerned.

(5) Paragraph 12(1) does not prevent P carrying on a restricted business, or providing a restricted service, of a kind specified in paragraph 15(2)(a) to (e) between the hours of 22:00 and 05:00 if-

(a) the business or service is carried on or provided in an aircraft, train or vessel,

(b) the aircraft, train or vessel is providing a public transport service, and

(c) alcohol is not served between those hours in the carrying on the business, or the provision of the service, concerned (subject to sub-paragraph (6)(b)).

(6) In sub-paragraph (5)-

(a) "public transport service" has the meaning given by regulation 2(2) of the Health Protection (Coronavirus, Wearing of Face Coverings on Public Transport) (England) Regulations 2020(45), but for these purposes does not include a service provided primarily for dining or other recreational purposes;

(b) paragraph (c) does not apply in respect of the service of alcohol to persons who are seated on an aircraft.

(7) Where P's restricted business or restricted service is carried on from, or provided at, a workplace canteen, paragraph 12(1) does not prevent P carrying on that business or providing that service between the hours of 22:00 and 05:00 if there is no practical alternative for staff at that workplace to obtain food or drink between those hours.

(8) In this Part of this Schedule "alcohol" has the meaning given in section 191 of the Licensing Act 2003(46).

Restrictions on service of food and drink for consumption on the premises

14.-(1) A person responsible for carrying on a restricted business, or providing a restricted service, in the Tier 1 area that falls within paragraph 15(2) and which serves alcohol for consumption on the premises may sell food or drink for consumption on the premises only if-

(a) the food or drink is ordered by, and served to, a customer who is seated on the premises, and

(b) the person takes all reasonable steps to ensure that the customer remains seated whilst consuming the food or drink on the premises.

(2) A person responsible for carrying on a restricted business, or providing a restricted service, that falls within paragraph 15(2) and which does not serve alcohol for consumption on the premises may sell food or drink for consumption on the premises only if the person takes all reasonable steps to ensure that the customer remains seated whilst consuming the food or drink on the premises.

(3) For the purposes of sub-paragraphs (1) and (2), an area adjacent to the premises of the restricted business or restricted service, where seating is made available for its customers (whether or not by the business or the provider of the service), or which its customers habitually use for consumption of food or drink served by the business or service, is to be treated as part of the premises of that business or service.

(4) If a business or service falling with paragraph 15(2) ("business A") forms part of a larger business ("business B")-

(a) the requirement in sub-paragraph (1)(a) does not apply where business B is a cinema, theatre or concert hall;

(b) the person responsible for carrying on business B otherwise complies with the requirement in sub-paragraph (1) or (2) if that person complies with the requirement in relation to business A.

(5) Sub-paragraphs (1) and (2) are subject to the restriction on opening hours in paragraph 12.

Restricted businesses and services for purposes of Part 3 of this Schedule

15.-(1) The restricted businesses and restricted services for the purposes of this Part of this Schedule are those falling within sub-paragraph (2) or (3).

(2) The following businesses and services fall within this sub-paragraph-

(a) restaurants, including restaurants and dining rooms in hotels or members' clubs;

(b) businesses providing food or drink prepared on the premises for immediate consumption off the premises, but not including-

(i) supermarkets,

(ii) convenience stores, corner shops and newsagents,

(iii) pharmacists and chemists, or

(iv) petrol stations;

(c) cafes, including workplace canteens, but not including-

(i) cafes or canteens at a hospital, care home or school,

(ii) canteens at criminal justice accommodation or an establishment intended for use for naval, military or air force purposes or for the purposes of the Department of the Secretary of State responsible for defence, or

(iii) services providing food or drink to the homeless;

(d) bars, including bars in hotels or members' clubs;

(e) public houses;

(f) social clubs;

(g) casinos.

(3) The following businesses and services fall within this sub-paragraph-

(a) bowling alleys;

(b) cinemas;

(c) theatres;

(d) amusement arcades or other indoor leisure centres;

(e) funfairs (indoors or outdoors), theme parks and adventure parks and activities;

(f) bingo halls;

(g) concert halls.

Regulation 3

SCHEDULE 2 Areas excluded from the Tier 1 area

The following areas are excluded from the Tier 1 area-

• Tier 2 area

  The area that is the Tier 2 area for the purposes of the Health Protection (Coronavirus, Local COVID-19 Alert Level) (High) (England) Regulations 2020 (see Schedule 2 to those Regulations).

• Tier 3 area

  The area that is the Tier 3 area for the purposes of the Health Protection (Coronavirus, Local COVID-19 Alert Level) (Very High) (England) Regulations 2020 (see Schedule 2 to those Regulations).

Regulation 10

SCHEDULE 3 Consequential and other amendments and transitional and saving provisions

PART 1 Consequential and other amendments

Amendments of the Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) (No. 2) (England) Regulations 2020

1.-(1) The Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) (No. 2) (England) Regulations 2020 are amended as follows.

(2) Omit the following-

(a) in regulation 1-

(i) in paragraph (3) the words ", subject to paragraph (4)";

(ii) paragraphs (4), (4ZA), (4ZAA) and (4ZB);

(iii) in paragraph (5), the definitions of "childcare", "elite sportsperson" and "person responsible for carrying on a business";

(iv) paragraph (6);

(b) regulation 3;

(c) regulation 4;

(d) regulation 4A;

(e) regulation 4B;

(f) regulation 5;

(g) regulation 5ZA;

(h) regulation 5A;

(i) regulation 5B;

(j) Schedule 2;

(k) Schedule 3.

(3) In regulation 7-

(a) in paragraph (1), omit "4, 4A, 4B, 5 or";

(b) omit paragraphs (2) and (3);

(c) in paragraph (5), omit "(3)(c) or" and "from a gathering, or";

(d) in paragraph (6), omit "in a gathering in contravention of regulation 5, or";

(e) in paragraph (7), for "restrictions in regulation 5 or 6(11)" substitute "restriction in regulation 6(11)";

(f) in paragraph (8), omit "(3)," and "5 or";

(g) in paragraph (9), omit "(3),";

(h) in paragraph (10)-

(i) at the end of sub-paragraph (b)(ii), insert "or";

(ii) omit sub-paragraph (b)(iii) (including "or" at the end);

(i) omit paragraph (11).

(4) In regulation 8-

(a) in paragraph (1), omit "4, 4A, 4B, 5, 5A, 5B,";

(b) in paragraph (3), omit "or a prohibition notice".

(5) In regulation 9-

(a) for paragraph (6) substitute-

"(6) The amount specified under paragraph (5)(c) must, subject to paragraphs (7) and (8), be £200.";

(b) omit paragraph (6A);

(c) in paragraph (7), omit "of a type mentioned in paragraph (6)(b)";

(d) in paragraph (8), omit "of a type mentioned in paragraph (6)(b)";

(e) in paragraph (8A), at the end insert "(as those regulations had effect immediately before the coming into force of the Health Protection (Coronavirus, Local COVID-19 Alert Level) (Medium) (England) Regulations 2020)";

(f) for paragraph (9) substitute-

"(9) In determining for the purposes of paragraph (8) how many fixed penalty notices a person has received, fixed penalty notices issued to that person under the following Regulations are also to be taken into account-

(a) the Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) (England) Regulations 2020,

(b) the Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) (Leicester) Regulations 2020,

(c) the Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) (England) (No. 3) Regulations 2020, other than notices issued in respect of a business restriction offence, as defined by regulation 14(7D) of those Regulations, committed on or after 14th October 2020,

(d) the Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) (Blackburn with Darwen and Luton) Regulations 2020,

(e) the Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) (Blackburn with Darwen and Bradford) Regulations 2020,

(f) the Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) (Leicester) (No. 2) Regulations 2020,

(g) the Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) (North of England) Regulations 2020,

(h) the Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) (Bolton) Regulations 2020,

(i) the Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) (Birmingham, Sandwell and Solihull) Regulations 2020,

(j) the Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) (North East and North West of England) Regulations 2020,

(k) the Health Protection (Coronavirus, Local COVID-19 Alert Level) (Medium) (England) Regulations 2020, other than notices issued in respect of a business restriction offence as defined by regulation 6(12) of those Regulations or an offence of contravening a restriction or requirement imposed by paragraph 2 of Schedule 1 to those Regulations,";

(g) in paragraph (14), omit "the contravention of a requirement or restriction in regulation 4, 4A or 4B or".

Amendments of the Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) (England) (No. 3) Regulations 2020

2.-(1) Regulation 14 of the Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) (England) (No. 3) Regulations 2020 is amended as follows.

(2) In paragraph (5)(c), for "and (7)" substitute "to (7D)".

(3) In paragraph (6)-

(a) in the words before sub-paragraph (a), after "penalty is" insert "(subject to paragraphs (7A) and (7B))";

(b) in sub-paragraph (a), for "£50" substitute "£100";

(c) in sub-paragraph (b), for "£100" substitute "£200".

(4) In paragraph (7)-

(a) in the words before sub-paragraph (a), after "penalty is" insert "(subject to paragraphs (7A) and (7B))";

(b) in sub-paragraph (a), for "£200" substitute "£400";

(c) in sub-paragraph (b), for "£400" substitute "£800";

(d) in sub-paragraph (c), for "£800" substitute "£1,600";

(e) in sub-paragraph (d), for "£1,600" substitute "£3,200";

(f) in sub-paragraph (e), for "£3,200" substitute "£6,400".

(5) After paragraph (7) insert-

"(7A) Paragraphs (6) and (7) do not apply in the case of a fixed penalty notice issued to the person in respect of a business restriction offence.

(7B) In the case of a fixed penalty notice issued to the person in respect of a business restriction offence, the amount of the fixed penalty is as follows-

(a) if it is the first fixed penalty notice so issued, £1,000,

(b) if it is the second fixed penalty notice so issued, £2,000,

(c) if it is the third fixed penalty notice so issued, £4,000,

(d) if it is the fourth fixed penalty notice so issued and for any subsequent fixed penalty so issued, £10,000.

(7C) For the purposes of determining how many fixed penalty notices a person has received for the purposes of paragraph (7B), a fixed penalty notice issued to the person under the following Regulations is to be treated as if it were issued in respect of a business restriction offence-

(a) the Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) (No. 2) (England) Regulations 2020, if the notice was issued in respect of an offence of contravening regulation 4A or 4B of those Regulations;

(b) the Health Protection (Coronavirus, Collection of Contact Details etc and Related Requirements) Regulations 2020;

(c) the Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) (Obligations of Undertakings) (England) Regulations 2020;

(d) the Health Protection (Coronavirus, Local COVID-19 Alert Level) (Medium) (England) Regulations 2020, if the notice was issued in respect of a business restriction offence as defined by regulation 6(12) of those Regulations;

(e) the Health Protection (Coronavirus, Local COVID-19 Alert Level) (High) (England) Regulations 2020, if the notice was issued in respect of a business restriction offence as defined by regulation 6(12) of those Regulations;

(f) the Health Protection (Coronavirus, Local COVID-19 Alert Level) (Very High) (England) Regulations 2020, if the notice was issued in respect of a business restriction offence as defined by regulation 6(12) of those Regulations.

(7D) In this regulation, unless otherwise specified "business restriction offence" means-

(a) an offence under regulation 13(1)(a), (b) or (c), or

(b) an offence under regulation 13(1)(e) of failing to comply with a prohibition notice given under regulation 12(2) or of contravening a direction given under regulation 12(3)(a).".

(6) For paragraph (8) substitute-

"(8) In this regulation "relevant enactment" means-

(a) the Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) (England) Regulations 2020;

(b) the Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) (Leicester) Regulations 2020;

(c) these Regulations, other than notices issued in respect of a business restriction offence committed on or after 14th October 2020;

(d) the Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) (Blackburn with Darwen and Luton) Regulations 2020;

(e) the Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) (Blackburn with Darwen and Bradford) Regulations 2020;

(f) the Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) (Leicester) (No. 2) Regulations 2020;

(g) the Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) (North of England) Regulations 2020;

(h) the Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) (Bolton) Regulations 2020;

(i) the Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) (Birmingham, Sandwell and Solihull) Regulations 2020;

(j) the Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) (North East and North West of England) Regulations 2020;

(k) the Health Protection (Coronavirus, Local COVID-19 Alert Level) (Medium) (England) Regulations 2020;

(l) the Health Protection (Coronavirus, Local COVID-19 Alert Level) (High) (England) Regulations 2020;

(m) the Health Protection (Coronavirus, Local COVID-19 Alert Level) (Very High) (England) Regulations 2020.".

(7) For paragraph (8A) substitute-

"(8A) For the purposes of determining how many fixed penalty notices have been issued to a person under the relevant enactments, no account is to be taken of any fixed penalty notice issued to that person under-

(a) these Regulations, if the notice was issued to the person in respect of a business restriction offence committed on or after 14th October 2020;

(b) the Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) (No. 2) (England) Regulations 2020, if the notice was issued to the person in respect of an offence of contravening a restriction or requirement imposed by regulation 5A or 5B of those Regulations;

(c) the Health Protection (Coronavirus, Local COVID-19 Alert Level) (Medium) (England) Regulations 2020, if the notice was issued to the person in respect of a business restriction offence as defined by regulation 6(12) of those Regulations or an offence of contravening a restriction or requirement imposed by paragraph 2 of Schedule 1 to those Regulations;

(d) the Health Protection (Coronavirus, Local COVID-19 Alert Level) (High) (England) Regulations 2020, if the notice was issued to the person in respect of a business restriction offence as defined by regulation 6(12) of those Regulations or an offence of contravening a restriction or requirement imposed by paragraph 3 of Schedule 1 to those Regulations;

(e) the Health Protection (Coronavirus, Local COVID-19 Alert Level) (Very High) (England) Regulations 2020, if the notice was issued to the person in respect of a business restriction offence as defined by regulation 6(12) of those Regulations or an offence of contravening a restriction or requirement imposed by paragraph 3 of Schedule 1 to those Regulations.".

Amendments of the Health Protection (Coronavirus, Collection of Contact Details etc and Related Requirements) Regulations 2020

3.-(1) The Health Protection (Coronavirus, Collection of Contact Details etc and Related Requirements) Regulations 2020 are amended as follows.

(2) In regulation 18, in paragraph (7A)-

(a) in sub-paragraph (a), at the end insert ", where the fixed penalty notice relates to an offence of contravening a requirement in regulation 4A or 4B of those Regulations";

(b) after sub-paragraph (b), insert-

"(c) the Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) (England) (No. 3) Regulations 2020, where the fixed penalty notice relates to a business restriction offence, as defined by regulation 14(7D) of those Regulations, committed on or after 14th October 2020;

(d) the Health Protection (Coronavirus, Local COVID-19 Alert Level) (Medium) (England) Regulations 2020, where the fixed penalty notice relates to a business restriction offence as defined by regulation 6(12) of those Regulations;".

(3) In the Schedule, in paragraph 2-

(a) after sub-paragraph (d) insert-

"(da) cinemas;";

(b) after sub-paragraph (e) insert-

"(ea) concert venues;";

(c) after sub-paragraph (m) insert-

"(n) theatres.".

Amendments of the Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) (Obligations of Undertakings) (England) Regulations 2020

4.-(1) The Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) (Obligations of Undertakings) (England) Regulations 2020 are amended as follows.

(2) In regulation 1, in paragraph (3)-

(a) in sub-paragraph (b), for "the Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) (No. 2) (England) Regulations 2020" substitute "the Health Protection (Coronavirus, Local COVID-19 Alert Level) (Medium) (England) Regulations 2020";

(b) in sub-paragraph (c), for the words after "period"" substitute "means the period beginning with 18th September 2020 and ending on such day as paragraph 1 of Schedule 1 to the Principal Regulations ceases to have effect;";

(c) in sub-paragraph (d), for "regulation 5(2B)(a) of" substitute "paragraph 5(5) of Schedule 1 to".

(3) In regulation 1A, in paragraph (1)-

(a) in sub-paragraph (a), for "regulation 5 of" substitute "paragraph 3 of Schedule 1 to";

(b) in sub-paragraph (b), for "regulation 5 of" substitute "paragraph 3 of Schedule 1 to";

(4) In regulation 2, omit paragraphs (1A) to (1E).

(5) In regulation 4, in paragraph (8A)-

(a) in sub-paragraph (a) for "the principal Regulations" substitute "the Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) (No. 2) (England) Regulations 2020";

(b) after sub-paragraph (b) insert-

"(c) the Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) (England) (No. 3) Regulations 2020, where the fixed penalty notice relates to a business restriction offence, as defined by regulation 14(7D) of those Regulations, committed on or after 14th October 2020;

(d) the Principal Regulations, where the fixed penalty notice relates to a business restriction offence as defined by regulation 6(12) of those Regulations;".

(6) In regulation 8, after "or 10" insert "of the Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) (No. 2) (England) Regulations 2020 or regulation 6(16) or 7".

Amendment of the Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) (No. 2) (England) Amendment) (No. 5) Regulations 2020

5.  In regulation 9(2) of the Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) (No. 2) (England) (Amendment) (No. 5) Regulations 2020(47), in paragraph (d) of the definition of "a business closure offence", after "regulation" insert "3,".

Revocations

6.  The following Regulations are revoked-

(a) the Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) (No. 2) (England) (Amendment) Regulations 2020(48);

(b) the Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) (No. 2) (England) (Amendment) (No. 3) Regulations 2020(49);

(c) the Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) (No. 2) (England) (Amendment) (No. 4) Regulations 2020(50), other than regulation 8 of those Regulations;

(d) the Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) (Protected Areas and Linked Childcare Households) (Amendment) Regulations 2020(51), other than regulation 7 of those Regulations.

PART 2 Transitional and saving provisions

7.-(1) A designation made in exercise of the powers conferred by the following provisions is to be treated as if it had been made in exercise of the powers conferred by regulations 4(9)(b), 6(3)(b), 6(16) or 7, as appropriate, of these Regulations-

(a) regulation 7(10)(b), 9(3)(b), 9(13) or 10 of the Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) (No. 2) (England) Regulations 2020;

(b) regulation 8(9)(b), 10(3)(b), 10(13) or 11 of the Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) (Leicester) (No. 2) Regulations 2020;

(c) regulation 8(9)(c), 10(3)(b), 10(13) or 11 of the Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) (North of England) Regulations 2020;

(d) regulation 7(9)(c), 9(3), 9(14) or 10 of the Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) (Birmingham, Sandwell and Solihull) Regulations 2020;

(e) regulation 8(9)(b), 10(3)(b), 10(14)(a) or 11 of the Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) (North East and North West of England) Regulations 2020;

(f) regulation 4(9)(b), 6(3)(b), 6(16) or 7 of the Health Protection (Coronavirus, COVID 19-Alert Level) (High) (England) Regulations 2020;

(g) regulation 4(9)(b), 6(3)(b), 6(16) or 7 of the Health Protection (Coronavirus, COVID 19-Alert Level) (Very High) (England) Regulations 2020.

(2) Despite the omission of provisions of the Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) (No. 2) (England) Regulations 2020 by paragraph 1, those Regulations continue in force as they had effect immediately before 14th October 2020 in relation to any offence committed under those Regulations before that date.

(3) Despite the amendments of provisions of the Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) Obligations of Undertakings) (England) Regulations 2020 by paragraph 4, those Regulations continue in force as they had effect immediately before 14th October 2020 in relation to any offence committed under those Regulations before that date.

EXPLANATORY NOTE

(This note is not part of the Regulations)

These Regulations impose restrictions on gatherings and businesses in England, other than in the areas specified in Schedule 2, where the local COVID-19 alert level is assessed as being medium. The restrictions on businesses include the imposition of restricted hours for certain businesses and closure of certain businesses.

The need for the restrictions in these Regulations must be reviewed by the Secretary of State every 28 days. The Regulations themselves expire six months after the date on which they are made.

No impact assessment has been prepared for these Regulations.