Coronavirus Act 2020

Designation where there is insufficient capacity to deal with dead bodies etc

4 (1) The appropriate national authority may designate a local authority for the purposes of this Part of this Schedule if of the view that—

(a) as a result of coronavirus disease there is, or is likely to be, insufficient capacity within the area of that local authority to transport, store or dispose of dead bodies or other human remains, and

(b) the powers conferred by this Part of this Schedule are likely to be an effective means of addressing that lack of capacity.

(2) If, having made a designation under this paragraph, the appropriate national authority ceases to be of the view mentioned in sub-paragraph (1), the appropriate national authority must revoke the designation (but this does not limit the future exercise of the power in sub-paragraph (1) in relation to the same local authority).

(3) If a mayoral combined authority is designated under sub-paragraph (1), the designation may make provision for its functions under this Part of this Schedule to be exercisable only by the mayor.

(4) A designation or revocation under this paragraph—

(a) takes effect when published online, and

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

(5) In sub-paragraph (4)(b) “the appropriate Gazette” means—

(a) where the designation or revocation relates to a local authority in England or Wales, the London Gazette;

(b) where the designation or revocation relates to a local authority in Scotland, the Edinburgh Gazette;

(c) where the designation or revocation relates to a local authority in Northern Ireland, the Belfast Gazette.

(6) In this Part of this Schedule “designated local authority” means a local authority for the time being designated under this paragraph.