Coronavirus Act 2020

Powers to direct or remove persons to a place suitable for screening and assessment

71 (1) This paragraph applies if, during a transmission control period, a public health officer has reasonable grounds to suspect that a person in Northern Ireland is potentially infectious.

(2) The public health officer may, subject to sub-paragraph (3)—

(a) direct the person to go immediately to a place specified in the direction which is suitable for screening and assessment,

(b) remove the person to a place suitable for screening and assessment, or

(c) request a constable to remove the person to a place suitable for screening and assessment (and the constable may then do so).

(3) A public health officer may exercise the powers conferred by this paragraph in relation to a person only if the officer considers that it is necessary and proportionate to do so—

(a) in the interests of the person,

(b) for the protection of other people, or

(c) for the maintenance of public health.

(4) Where a public health officer exercises the powers conferred by this paragraph, the officer must inform that person—

(a) of the reason for directing or removing them, and

(b) that it is an offence—

(i) in a case where a person is directed, to fail without reasonable excuse to comply with the direction, or

(ii) in a case where a person is removed (by the officer or by a constable), to abscond.