Legislation – Coronavirus Act 2020

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Introduction

PART 1
Main provisions

1 Meaning of “coronavirus” and related terminology

2 Emergency registration of nurses and other health and care professionals

3 Emergency arrangements concerning medical practitioners: Wales

4 Emergency arrangements concerning medical practitioners: Scotland

5 Emergency registration of and extension of prescribing powers for pharmaceutical chemists: Northern Ireland

6 Emergency registration of social workers: England and Wales

7 Temporary registration of social workers: Scotland

8 Emergency volunteering leave

9 Compensation for emergency volunteers

10 Temporary modification of mental health and mental capacity legislation

11 Indemnity for health service activity: England and Wales

12 Indemnity for health service activity: Scotland

13 Indemnity for health and social care activity: Northern Ireland

14 NHS Continuing Healthcare assessments: England

15 Local authority care and support

16 Duty of local authority to assess needs: Scotland

17 Section 16: further provision

18 Registration of deaths and still-births etc

19 Confirmatory medical certificate not required for cremations: England and Wales

20 Review of cause of death certificates and cremations: Scotland

21 Modifications of requirements regarding medical certificates for cremations: Northern Ireland

22 Appointment of temporary Judicial Commissioners

23 Time limits in relation to urgent warrants etc under Investigatory Powers Act

24 Extension of time limits for retention of fingerprints and DNA profiles

25 Power to require information relating to food supply chains

26 Authorities which may require information

27 Restrictions on use and disclosure of information

28 Enforcement of requirement to provide information

29 Meaning of “food supply chain” and related expressions

30 Suspension of requirement to hold inquest with jury: England and Wales

31 Suspension of requirement to hold inquest with jury: Northern Ireland

32 Deaths in custody from natural illness: Northern Ireland

33 Disapplication etc by Welsh Ministers of DBS provisions

34 Temporary disapplication of disclosure offences: Scotland

35 Power to reclassify certain disclosure requests: Scotland

36 Vaccination and immunisation: Scotland

37 Temporary closure of educational institutions and childcare premises

38 Temporary continuity: education, training and childcare

39 Statutory sick pay: funding of employers’ liabilities

40 Statutory sick pay: power to disapply waiting period limitation

41 Statutory sick pay: modification of regulation making powers

42 Statutory sick pay: funding of employers’ liabilities: Northern Ireland

43 Statutory sick pay: power to disapply waiting period limitation: Northern Ireland

44 Statutory sick pay: modification of regulation making powers: Northern Ireland

45 NHS pension schemes: suspension of restrictions on return to work: England and Wales

46 NHS pension schemes: suspension of restrictions on return to work: Scotland

47 Health and social care pension schemes: suspension of restrictions on return to work: Northern Ireland

48 Powers to act for the protection of public health: Northern Ireland

49 Health protection regulations: Scotland

50 Power to suspend port operations

51 Powers relating to potentially infectious persons

52 Powers to issue directions relating to events, gatherings and premises

53 Expansion of availability of live links in criminal proceedings

54 Expansion of availability of live links in other criminal hearings

55 Public participation in proceedings conducted by video or audio

56 Live links in magistrates’ court appeals against requirements or restrictions imposed on a potentially infectious person

57 Use of live links in legal proceedings: Northern Ireland

58 Powers in relation to transportation, storage and disposal of dead bodies etc

59 Elections and referendums due to be held in England in period after 15 March 2020

60 Postponement of elections due to be held on 7 May 2020

61 Power to postpone certain other elections and referendums

62 Power to postpone a recall petition under the Recall of MPs Act 2015

63 Power to make supplementary etc provision

64 Northern Ireland: timing of canvass and Assembly by-elections

65 Elections due to be held in Wales in period after 15 March 2020

66 Postponement of National Assembly for Wales elections for constituency vacancies

67 Power to postpone local authority elections in Wales for casual vacancies

68 Power to make supplementary etc provision

69 Postponement of Scottish Parliament elections for constituency vacancies

70 Postponement of local authority elections in Scotland for casual vacancies

71 Signatures of Treasury Commissioners

72 Power under section 143 of the Social Security Administration Act 1992

73 Power under section 145 of the Social Security Administration Act 1992

74 Power under section 5 of the National Insurance Contributions Act 2014

75 Disapplication of limit under section 8 of the Industrial Development Act 1982

76 HMRC functions

77 Up-rating of working tax credit etc

78 Local authority meetings

79 Extension of BID arrangements: England

80 Extension of BID arrangements: Northern Ireland

81 Residential tenancies in England and Wales: protection from eviction

82 Business tenancies in England and Wales: protection from forfeiture etc

83 Business tenancies in Northern Ireland: protection from forfeiture etc

84 Postponement of General Synod elections

PART 2
Final provisions

85 Interpretation

86 Financial provision

87 Commencement

88 Power to suspend and revive provisions of this Act

89 Expiry

90 Power to alter expiry date

91 Power to amend Act in consequence of amendments to subordinate legislation

92 Power to make consequential modifications

93 Procedure for certain regulations made by a Minister of the Crown

94 Procedure for certain regulations made by the Welsh Ministers

95 Procedure for certain regulations made by the Scottish Ministers

96 Procedure for certain orders made by a Northern Ireland department

97 Reports by Secretary of State on status of non-devolved provisions of this Act

98 Six-month parliamentary review

99 Parliamentary consideration of status of non-devolved provisions of this Act

100 Extent

101 Extension to the Isle of Man

102 Short title

SCHEDULES

SCHEDULE 1 Emergency registration of nurses and other health and care professionals

SCHEDULE 2 Emergency arrangements concerning medical practitioners: Wales

SCHEDULE 3 Emergency arrangements concerning medical practitioners: Scotland

SCHEDULE 4 Emergency registration of pharmaceutical chemists and extension of prescribing powers: Northern Ireland

SCHEDULE 5 Emergency registration of social workers: England and Wales

SCHEDULE 6 Temporary registration of social workers: Scotland

SCHEDULE 7 Emergency volunteering leave

SCHEDULE 8 Mental health: England and Wales

SCHEDULE 9 Mental health: Scotland

SCHEDULE 10 Mental health: Northern Ireland

SCHEDULE 11 Mental capacity: Northern Ireland

SCHEDULE 12 Local authority care and support

SCHEDULE 13 Registration of deaths and still-births

SCHEDULE 14 Review of medical certificates of cause of death and cremations: Scotland

SCHEDULE 15 Information relating to food supply chains: financial penalties

SCHEDULE 16 Temporary closure of educational institutions and childcare premises

SCHEDULE 17 Temporary continuity directions etc: education, training and childcare

SCHEDULE 18 Powers to act for the protection of public health: Northern Ireland

SCHEDULE 19 Health protection regulations: Scotland

SCHEDULE 20 Power to suspend port operations

SCHEDULE 21 Powers relating to potentially infectious persons

SCHEDULE 22 Powers to issue directions relating to events, gatherings and premises

SCHEDULE 23 Live links in criminal proceedings

SCHEDULE 24 Live links in other criminal hearings

SCHEDULE 25 Public participation in proceedings conducted by video or audio

SCHEDULE 26 Live links in certain magistrates’ court proceedings

SCHEDULE 27 Use of live links in legal proceedings: Northern Ireland

SCHEDULE 28 Transportation, storage and disposal of dead bodies etc

SCHEDULE 29 Residential tenancies in England and Wales: protection from eviction

Changes to legislation:

There are currently no known outstanding effects for the Coronavirus Act 2020, SCHEDULE 5. Help about Changes to Legislation

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SCHEDULES

SCHEDULE 5Emergency registration of social workers: England and Wales

Section 6

Social Workers Regulations 2018

1

(1)

The Social Workers Regulations 2018 (S.I. 2018/893) have effect as if they were subject to the following modifications.

(2)

Regulation 9 (information to be recorded in the register in relation to a registered social worker) has effect as if—

(a)

in paragraph (1) after sub-paragraph (b) there were inserted—

“(ba)

in the case of a social worker registered under regulation 12A (emergency registration) the fact that the social worker has been registered under that regulation,”, and

(b)

after paragraph (1) there were inserted—

“(1A)

The information referred to in paragraph (1)(a), (b) or (ba) is not required to be recorded in the register in relation to a social worker registered under regulation 12A as a member of a specified group.”

(3)

The regulations have effect as if after regulation 12 there were inserted—

“Temporary registration in emergencies involving loss of human life or human illness etc

12A

(1)

The regulator may register a person as a social worker, or the persons comprising a specified group of persons as social workers, if—

(a)

the Secretary of State has advised the regulator that an emergency has occurred, is occurring or is about to occur and that the regulator should consider acting under this regulation, and

(b)

the regulator considers that the emergency registration requirement is met in relation to the person or group of persons.

(2)

For the purposes of paragraph (1)(b) the emergency registration requirement is met—

(a)

in relation to a person, if the regulator considers that the person is a fit, proper and suitably experienced person to be registered as a social worker with regard to the emergency;

(b)

in relation to a group of persons, if the regulator considers that the group is comprised of persons who are of a type who may reasonably be considered fit, proper and suitably experienced persons to be registered as social workers with regard to the emergency.

(3)

The regulator may register all of the persons comprising a specified group of persons without first identifying each person in the group.

(4)

The registration of a person under this regulation has effect subject to any conditions imposed by the regulator; and the regulator may at any time vary or revoke such a condition or add new conditions.

(5)

Where a person is registered under this regulation as a member of a specified group, the person’s registration may (but need not) be subject to the same conditions as the registration of other members of the group.

(6)

A person’s registration under this regulation ceases to have effect if revoked by the regulator; and the regulator—

(a)

must revoke the registration if the Secretary of State advises the regulator that the circumstances that led the Secretary of State to give the advice referred to in paragraph (1)(a) no longer exist;

(b)

may at any time revoke the registration for any other reason, including where the regulator suspects that the person’s fitness to practise may be impaired.

(7)

A person’s registration as a member of a specified group may be revoked—

(a)

without the registration of the other members of the group being revoked, or

(b)

as a result of a decision to revoke the registration of all the members of the group.

(8)

If a person’s registration under this regulation is revoked under paragraph (6)(a), the registration ceases to have effect at the end of the period of 14 days beginning with the day on which it is revoked.

(9)

If a person’s registration under this section is revoked under paragraph (6)(b), the registration ceases to have effect immediately.

(10)

The following provisions of these regulations do not apply to persons registered under this regulation—

(a)

regulation 9 (content of the register), other than paragraph (1)(a), (b) and (ba) and paragraphs (1A) and (3);

(b)

regulations 10 to 12 and 13 to 15 (other provisions relating to registration);

(c)

regulation 16(4) and (5) (duty to provide information to regulator: sanctions);

(d)

regulation 17 (fees for registration);

(e)

Part 5 (discipline and fitness to practise).

(11)

If a person breaches a condition to which the person’s registration under this regulation is subject, anything done by the person in breach of the condition is to be treated as not done by a registered social worker.

(12)

The regulator may do anything which appears to it to be necessary or expedient for the purpose of, or in connection with, the performance of its functions under this regulation.

(13)

This includes—

(a)

making rules, and

(b)

issuing guidance to persons registered under this regulation or to the public.

(14)

Paragraphs (2) to (5) of regulation 3 do not apply to rules under paragraph (12)(a).

(15)

In this regulation “emergency” means an emergency of the kind described in section 19(1)(a) of the Civil Contingencies Act 2004, read with subsection (2)(a) and (b) of that section.”

(4)

Regulation 19 (registration appeals) has effect as if after paragraph (2) there were inserted—

“(2A)

Paragraph (1) does not apply to—

(a)

a decision by the regulator to refuse to register a person under regulation 12A, or

(b)

a decision by the regulator to revoke a person’s registration under that regulation.”

Regulation and Inspection of Social Care (Wales) Act 2016

2

(1)

The Regulation and Inspection of Social Care (Wales) Act 2016 (anaw 2) has effect as if it were subject to the following modifications.

(2)

The Act has effect as if after section 83 of the English language text there were inserted—

“83ATemporary registration in emergencies involving loss of human life or human illness etc

(1)

The registrar may register a person as a social worker in the social worker part of the register, or the persons comprising a specified group of persons as social workers in that part, if—

(a)

the Welsh Ministers have advised the registrar that an emergency has occurred, is occurring or is about to occur and that the registrar should consider acting under this section, and

(b)

the registrar considers that the emergency registration requirement is met in relation to the person or group of persons.

(2)

For the purposes of subsection (1)(b) the emergency registration requirement is met—

(a)

in relation to a person, if the registrar considers that the person is a fit, proper and suitably experienced person to be registered as a social worker with regard to the emergency;

(b)

in relation to a group of persons, if the registrar considers that the group is comprised of persons who are of a type who may reasonably be considered fit, proper and suitably experienced persons to be registered as social workers with regard to the emergency.

(3)

The registrar may register all of the persons comprising a specified group of persons without first identifying each person in the group.

(4)

The registrar may include an annotation in the social worker part of the register denoting that a person has been registered under this section.

(5)

The registration of a person under this section has effect subject to any conditions imposed by the registrar; and the registrar may at any time vary or revoke such a condition or add new conditions.

(6)

Where a person is registered under this section as a member of a specified group, the person’s registration may (but need not) be subject to the same conditions as the registration of other members of the group.

(7)

A person’s registration under this section ceases to have effect if revoked by the registrar; and the registrar—

(a)

must revoke the registration if the Welsh Ministers advise the registrar that the circumstances that led the Welsh Ministers to give the advice referred to in subsection (1)(a) no longer exist;

(b)

may at any time revoke the registration for any other reason, including where the registrar suspects that the person’s fitness to practise may be impaired.

(8)

A person’s registration as a member of a specified group may be revoked—

(a)

without the registration of the other members of the group being revoked, or

(b)

as a result of a decision to revoke the registration of all the members of the group.

(9)

If a person’s registration under this section is revoked under subsection (7)(a), the registration ceases to have effect at the end of the period of 14 days beginning with the day on which it is revoked.

(10)

If a person’s registration under this section is revoked under subsection (7)(b), the registration ceases to have effect immediately.

(11)

Rules under section 74 may not provide for fees to be charged in respect of a person’s registration under this section.

(12)

The following provisions do not apply to persons registered under this section—

(a)

sections 82, 83, 84, 86, 87, 89, 94 and 95 (provisions relating to registration) of this Act;

(b)

sections 113 to 115 (continuing professional development) of this Act and rules made under any of those sections;

(c)

Part 6 (social care workers: fitness to practise) of this Act, other than section 160(1) and (3) to (5).

(13)

If a person breaches a condition to which the person’s registration under this section is subject, anything done by the person in breach of the condition is to be treated as not done by a person registered in the social worker part of the register.

(14)

In this section “emergency” means an emergency of the kind described in section 19(1)(a) of the Civil Contingencies Act 2004, read with subsection (2)(a) and (b) of that section.”

(3)

The Act has effect as if after section 83 of the Welsh language text there were inserted—

“83ACofrestru dros dro mewn argyfyngau sy’n cynnwys colli bywyd dynol neu salwch dynol etc

(1)

Caiff y cofrestrydd gofrestru person fel gweithiwr cymdeithasol yn rhan gweithwyr cymdeithasol y gofrestr, neu bersonau sy’n ffurfio grŵp penodedig o bersonau fel gweithwyr cymdeithasol yn y rhan honno, —

(a)

os yw Gweinidogion Cymru wedi cynghori’r cofrestrydd bod argyfwng wedi codi, yn codi neu ar fin codi, ac y dylai’r cofrestrydd ystyried gweithredu o dan yr adran hon, a

(b)

os yw’r cofrestrydd yn ystyried bod y gofyniad ar gyfer cofrestru mewn argyfwng wedi ei fodloni mewn perthynas â’r person neu’r grŵp o bersonau.

(2)

At ddibenion is-adran (1)(b) mae’r gofyniad ar gyfer cofrestru mewn argyfwng yn cael ei fodloni—

(a)

mewn perthynas â pherson, os yw’r cofrestrydd yn ystyried bod y person yn berson addas a phriodol sydd â phrofiad cyfaddas i gael ei gofrestru fel gweithiwr cymdeithasol o ran yr argyfwng;

(b)

mewn perthynas â grŵp o bersonau, os yw’r cofrestrydd yn ystyried bod y grŵp yn cael ei ffurfio o bersonau sydd o fath y gellir eu hystyried yn rhesymol yn bersonau addas a phriodol sydd â phrofiad cyfaddas i gael eu cofrestru fel gweithwyr cymdeithasol o ran yr argyfwng.

(3)

Caiff y cofrestrydd gofrestru pob un o’r personau sy’n ffurfio grŵp penodedig o bersonau heb enwi’n gyntaf bob person yn y grŵp.

(4)

Caiff y cofrestrydd gynnwys anodiad yn rhan gweithwyr cymdeithasol y gofrestr sy’n dynodi bod person wedi cael ei gofrestru o dan yr adran hon.

(5)

Mae cofrestriad person o dan yr adran hon yn cael effaith yn ddarostyngedig i unrhyw amodau a osodir gan y cofrestrydd; a chaiff y cofrestrydd amrywio neu ddirymu unrhyw amod o’r fath neu ychwanegu unrhyw amodau newydd ar unrhyw adeg.

(6)

Pan fo person wedi ei gofrestru o dan yr adran hon fel aelod o grŵp penodedig, caniateir i gofrestriad y person fod (ond nid oes rhaid iddo fod) yn ddarostyngedig i’r un amodau â chofrestriad aelodau eraill o’r grŵp.

(7)

Mae cofrestriad person o dan yr adran hon yn peidio â chael effaith os caiff ei ddirymu gan y cofrestrydd; a—

(a)

rhaid i’r cofrestrydd ddirymu’r cofrestriad os yw Gweinidogion Cymru yn cynghori’r cofrestrydd nad yw’r amgylchiadau a arweiniodd Gweinidogion Cymru at roi’r cyngor y cyfeirir ato yn is-adran (1)(a) bellach yn bodoli;

(b)

caiff y cofrestrydd, ar unrhyw adeg, ddirymu’r cofrestriad am unrhyw reswm arall, gan gynnwys pan fo’r cofrestrydd yn amau y gall addasrwydd y person i ymarfer fod wedi ei amharu.

(8)

Caniateir i gofrestriad person fel aelod o grŵp penodedig gael ei ddirymu—

(a)

heb ddirymu cofrestriad aelodau eraill o’r grŵp, neu

(b)

o ganlyniad i benderfyniad i ddirymu cofrestriad pob aelod o’r grŵp.

(9)

Os yw cofrestriad unrhyw berson yn cael ei ddirymu o dan is-adran (7)(a), mae’r cofrestriad yn peidio â chael effaith ar ddiwedd cyfnod o 14 diwrnod sy’n dechrau â’r diwrnod y caiff ei ddirymu.

(10)

Os yw cofrestriad unrhyw berson yn cael ei ddirymu o dan is-adran (7)(b), mae’r cofrestriad yn peidio â chael effaith ar unwaith.

(11)

Ni chaiff rheolau o dan adran 74 ddarparu ar gyfer codi ffioedd o ran cofrestriad person o dan yr adran hon.

(12)

Nid yw darpariaethau canlynol y Ddeddf yn gymwys i bersonau a gofrestrir o dan yr adran hon—

(a)

adrannau 82, 83, 84, 86, 87, 89, 94 a 95 (darpariaethau sy’n ymwneud â chofrestru) o’r Ddeddf hon;

(b)

adrannau 113 i 115 (datblygiad proffesiynol parhaus) o’r Ddeddf hon a rheolau a wneir o dan unrhyw un o’r adrannau hynny;

(c)

Rhan 6 (gweithwyr gofal cymdeithasol: addasrwydd i ymarfer) o’r Ddeddf hon ac eithrio adran 160(1) a (3) i (5).

(13)

Os yw person yn torri amod y mae cofrestriad y person o dan yr adran hon yn ddarostyngedig iddo, mae unrhyw beth a wneir gan y person yn groes i’r amod i’w drin fel peth nad yw wedi ei wneud gan berson a gofrestrwyd yn rhan gweithwyr cymdeithasol y gofrestr.

(14)

Yn yr adran hon mae i “argyfwng” yr ystyr a roddir i’r math o “emergency” a ddisgrifir yn adran 19(1)(a) o Ddeddf Argyfyngau Sifil Posibl 2004, wedi ei darllen ynghyd ag is-adran (2)(a) a (b) o’r adran honno.”

(4)

Section 101 (appeals against decisions of the registrar) has effect as if—

(a)

after subsection (2) of the English language text there were inserted—

“(3)

Subsection (1) does not apply to—

(a)

a decision by the registrar to refuse to register a person under section 83A, or

(b)

a decision by the registrar to revoke a person’s registration under that section.”;

(b)

after subsection (2) of the Welsh language text there were inserted—

“(3)

Nid yw is-adran (1) yn gymwys i—

(a)

penderfyniad gan y cofrestrydd i wrthod cofrestru person o dan adran 83A, neu

(b)

penderfyniad gan y cofrestrydd i ddirymu cofrestriad person o dan yr adran honno.”

(5)

Section 160(1) (power of Social Care Wales to require disclosure of information) has effect as if it enabled requirements to be imposed for the purpose of assisting the registrar in carrying out functions under section 83A.