Coronavirus Act 2020

Declaration of threat to public health in England due to coronavirus

3 (1) If at any time the Secretary of State is of the view that—

(a) the incidence or transmission of coronavirus constitutes a serious and imminent threat to public health in England, and

(b) the powers conferred by this Part of this Schedule will be an effective means of—

(i) preventing, protecting against, delaying or otherwise controlling the incidence or transmission of coronavirus in England, or

(ii) facilitating the most appropriate deployment of medical or emergency personnel and resources in England,

the Secretary of State may make a declaration to that effect.

(2) If, having made a declaration under this paragraph, the Secretary of State ceases to be of the view mentioned in sub-paragraph (1), the Secretary of State must revoke the declaration.

(3) A declaration or the revocation of a declaration under this paragraph—

(a) is to be made by being published online, and

(b) must, as soon as reasonably practicable after it is made, also be published in the London Gazette.

(4) Before making or revoking a declaration under this paragraph, the Secretary of State must consult the Chief Medical Officer or any of the Deputy Chief Medical Officers of the Department of Health and Social Care.

(5) The Secretary of State may make a declaration under this paragraph on more than one occasion.