Coronavirus Act 2020

Powers exercisable at a screening and assessment place: public health officers U.K.

8 (1) Paragraphs 9 to 11 apply where, during a transmission control period— U.K.

(a) a person is (whether or not pursuant to the exercise of powers under this Part of this Schedule) at a place in England which is suitable for screening and assessment, and

(b) a public health officer has reasonable grounds to suspect that the person is potentially infectious.

(2) A public health officer may exercise a power conferred by paragraphs 9 to 11 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.

9 (1) A public health officer may require the person referred to in paragraph 8 to remain at the place for screening and assessment purposes for a period not exceeding 48 hours. U.K.

(2) Where a public health officer requires a person to remain at a place under this paragraph, the officer must inform that person—

(a) of the reason for imposing the requirement,

(b) of the maximum period the person may be required to remain there, and

(c) that it is an offence to fail to comply with the requirement.

(3) A requirement imposed on a person under this paragraph may be enforced by a public health officer or a constable keeping the person at the place.

10 (1) A public health officer may— U.K.

(a) require the person referred to in paragraph 8 to be screened and assessed, and

(b) impose other requirements on the person in connection with their screening and assessment.

(2) Requirements under sub-paragraph (1)(a) may in particular include requirements on a person—

(a) at such times as the public health officer may specify—

(i) to provide a biological sample, or

(ii) to allow a healthcare professional to take a biological sample by appropriate means;

(b) to answer questions and provide information about their health or other relevant matters (including their travel history and other individuals with whom they may have had contact).

(3) In sub-paragraph (2)(a)(ii) “healthcare professional” means —

(a) a registered medical practitioner,

(b) a registered nurse, or

(c) such other registered healthcare professional as may be designated by the Secretary of State.

(4) Requirements under sub-paragraph (1)(b) may in particular include requirements on a person—

(a) to produce any documents which may assist in their assessment;

(b) to provide details by which they may be contacted during such subsequent period as the public health officer may specify.

11 (1) If a public health officer considers it appropriate for the purposes of screening or assessing the person, the officer may— U.K.

(a) direct the person referred to in paragraph 8 to go immediately to another place which is specified in the direction and is suitable for those purposes,

(b) remove the person to another place suitable for those purposes, or

(c) request a constable to remove the person to another place suitable for those purposes (and the constable may then do so).

(2) 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.

12 U.K. Where the powers in paragraph 6, 7 or 11 are exercised in relation to a person in a place so as to direct them to go to, or remove them to, another place, paragraphs 9 to 11 apply in relation to that person afresh in that other place.