The law of lockdown 3.0 (from January 6th)

Fiction: Guidance is law. The Police and public understand both. Law: The government guidance on lockdown 3.0 opens with apparently deliberate ambiguity: “You should follow this guidance immediately. This is the law.” The juxtaposition of those sentences, even with the link included, appears intended to suggest the law requires you to follow the guidance. Such […]

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The law of Lockdown 2.0 (from Nov 5th)

Fiction: Lockdown is good for the nation’s health and follows an impact assessment. Law: From 5th November 2020 England dispenses with tiers and moves on with The Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) (England) (No. 4) Regulations 2020. The regulations as made will cease to have effect after 28 days. By this stage, the various regulations settled

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Self-isolation regulations (and ‘close contact’)

Fiction: Groups of students and sections of the population can be detained for 14 days as a group in their halls or residence or apartment blocks under the new self-isolation regulations. Law: The ‘self-isolation’ restrictions came into force from 28 September 2020, although they relate only to tests conducted after that date, for 12 months. 

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Low mood – a reasonable excuse to ignore coronavirus restrictions

Fiction: Feeling sad and low is reasonably to be expected of us all. Piers Morgan is right that we just have to put up with it. Law: “To avoid injury or illness or to escape a risk of harm” is a ‘reasonable excuse’ exemption within most of the coronavirus restrictions. Government suggested lanyards and badges

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International travel ‘quarantine’ restrictions

Fiction: On return to the UK from named countries from time to time, everyone must stay at home and quarantine for 14 days. Law: The restrictions on arriving from abroad in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland are constantly changing, most notably in terms of their lists of affected countries from where people are arriving.

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Restrictions on Holding of Gatherings – from 28 August 2020 £10,000 fines

Fiction: Only rave organisers can be fined £10,000 for holding a rave. Law: Catching up with announcements of ‘fines from tomorrow’ made nearly 2 weeks ago, regulations have been published providing a fine of £10,000 for anyone ‘holding’ or ‘involved in holding ‘ an indoor rave. These apply from 28 August 2020.  Going much further,

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