PART 4Enforcement

Offences and penaltiesI18

1

A person who contravenes a requirement in regulation F63, 4(1)(a), F84ZA, 6, F96ZA, 6A, 6B or 7 commits an offence.

2

A person who obstructs any person carrying out a function under these Regulations commits an offence.

3

A person who contravenes a direction given under regulation 7, or fails to comply with a reasonable instruction or a prohibition notice given by a relevant person under regulation 7, commits an offence.

C14

It is a defence to a charge of committing an offence under paragraph (1), (2) or (3) to show that the person, in the circumstances, had a reasonable excuse F2(see F3paragraph (5A)).

F45

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F15A

In relation to the wearing of a face covering, a reasonable excuse includes—

a

to seek medical assistance,

b

to provide care or assistance to a vulnerable person, including to provide emergency assistance,

c

to avoid injury, illness or to escape a risk of harm,

d

where the person cannot put on, wear or remove a face covering—

i

because of any physical or mental illness or impairment or disability (within the meaning of section 6 of the Equality Act 2010),

ii

without severe distress,

e

to communicate with a person who has difficulties communicating (in relation to speech, language or otherwise),

f

to eat or drink F7...,

g

to take medication,

h

to remove a face covering temporarily to comply with a request by a relevant person or another person acting in the course of their duties, and for the purposes of this sub-paragraph “relevant person” has the meaning given by regulation 7(12).

F5i

where the person is undertaking food handling tasks, to avoid risk to the hygiene or safety of food.

6

A person who commits an offence under this regulation is liable, on summary conviction, to a fine not exceeding the statutory maximum.

7

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, or

b

to be attributable to any neglect on the part of such an officer,

the officer (as well as the body corporate) commits the offence and is liable to be prosecuted and proceeded against and punished accordingly.

8

In paragraph (7), “officer” in relation to a body corporate means—

a

in the case of a company—

i

a director, secretary, manager or similar officer, or

ii

where the affairs of the company are managed by its members, a member,

b

in the case of a limited liability partnership, a member,

c

in the case of a partnership other than a limited liability partnership, a partner,

d

in the case of another body or association, a person who is concerned in the management or control of its affairs.