(1)For the purpose of preventing the spread of an infectious disease, [F1the Regional Agency], acting on the advice of its[F2 Director of Public Health], may by notice prohibit or restrict the admission of persons under the prescribed age to any place to which this section applies for such period as is specified therein, and the notice may contain exemptions from the prohibitions or restrictions which it imposes, and any such exemption may be made subject to compliance with such conditions as may be specified in the notice.
(2)A notice under this section shall be published in one or more newspapers circulating in the area and in such other manner as [F3the Regional Agency] think necessary for bringing it to the attention of persons affected thereby.
Subs.(3) rep. by 1972 NI 14
(4)If the person responsible for the management or control of a place to which a notice under subsection (1) applies, admits, or permits the admission of, any person under the prescribed age to that place, he shall be guilty of an offence under this Part but it shall be a good defence to any prosecution under this section to prove that there were reasonable grounds for believing that the person admitted had attained the prescribed age.
(5)In this section “prescribed age” in relation to a notice means such age, not exceeding sixteen years, as may be prescribed by the notice.
(6)This section applies to—
(a)any building or part of a building used as a theatre, cinematograph theatre, public hall, public concert-room, lecture room, public dance room, amusement arcade, public gymnasium, skating or roller skating rink or indoor swimming baths, and
(b)any sports ground, outdoor swimming baths or pool, or skating or roller skating rink, to which the public are admitted, whether on payment of an admission fee or not, and
(c)any circus, show, fair, fete or amusement park, and
(d)any other public place of entertainment or recreation.
F1Words in Act substituted (1.4.2009) by Health and Social Care (Reform) Act (Northern Ireland) 2009 (c. 1), ss. 32, 34(3), Sch. 6 para. 2(2); S.R. 2009/114, art. 2
F3Words in Act substituted (1.4.2009) by Health and Social Care (Reform) Act (Northern Ireland) 2009 (c. 1), ss. 32, 34(3), Sch. 6 para. 2(2); S.R. 2009/114, art. 2