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The NPCC and College of Policing have published a COVID-19 policing brief covering the Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) (England) Regulations (reconciling powers in relation to business closures with powers to disperse gatherings and restrictions on movement), and the Coronavirus Act which provides powers relating to potentially infectious persons and powers to the Secretary of State to issue directions relating to events, gatherings and premises.
Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) (England) Regulations brief
The first brief covers The Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) (England) Regulations (reconciling powers in relation to business closures with powers to disperse gatherings and restrictions on movement).
The briefing sets out the Government guidance on social distancing and the police response which will follow a four-step escalation prinicple:
- Engage
- Explain
- Encourage
- Enforce
The brief notes that local authorities will lead on monitoring and enforcing closures of business premises, supported by the police where required with senior officers liaising locally with local authorities to agree the best approach. It also notes that the position is 'ever-changing' and encourages everyone in policing to follow developments closely.
The Coronavirus Act brief
This brief covers The Coronavirus Act which provides powers to the police where they have reasonable grounds to suspect a person is potentially infectious to direct or remove that person to a place suitable
for screening and assessment or keep the person at that place until a public health officer can undertake the screening and assessment. The brief emphsises that these are exceptional powers to be used only where absolutely necessary. It is also clear that public health officers will be expected to lead in this area with the police supporting as and when necessary.