Fiction: Cinemas, theatres, concert halls and bingo halls are not yet allowed to reopen. Law: The government has been sure not to tell anyone, but when quietly at 00:01am on 4th July the government revoked the lockdown restrictions in almost their entirety and replaced them with a “No. 2” set by the same title, it …
Cinemas, theatres, concert and bingo halls CAN ALL OPEN Read More »
Fiction: Brass bands, orchestras and every other large group of 30 or more people are still unable to get together to rehearse. Law: Brass bands and orchestras can now rehearse in England. Gatherings of up to 30 people, including musicians, are allowed anywhere in England unless there is a specific prohibition. Under the new law …
Fiction: The lockdown is still on and guidelines must be followed Law: Unreported by the media, quietly at 00:01am on 4th July the government revoked the lockdown restrictions in almost entirety and replaced with a “No. 2” set by the same title but far reduced. Since 4th July, a list of businesses required to close …
Fiction: Guidance on social distancing and other restrictions must be applied equally to everyone. Law: Applying restrictions and rules equally to everyone – enforced queuing, closing toilet facilities, restricting use of lifts, insistence on wearing masks etc – will result in unlawful discrimination, most obviously against citizens with disabilities. Discrimination laws under the Equality Act …
Disability discrimination – some common decency, please. Read More »
Fiction: The government lawyers who draft our laws don’t have a sense of humour. Law: There may evidence to the contrary. From 1 July the furlough scheme is known as the Flexible Furlough Scheme (FFS). When calculating furlough payments, you’ll need to consider the period being claimed for or the amount of salary, and in …
FFS and FU… do govt lawyers have a sense of humour? Read More »
Fiction: There is something unlawful about thousands of people going to the same beach. Law: There is no law preventing anyone going to the beach and no law requiring social distancing when you get there. To deal with simple point first and answering the cry “what about social distancing?”, this is guidance only, not law. …
Fiction: Masks have to be worn in public and controllers of premises can insist they are worn by anyone who enters. Law: In England, the wearing of masks or ‘face coverings’ on public transport (including trains, buses and trams) is mandatory and enforceable by fine. School transport, taxis and private hire, and cruise ships are …
Fiction: The government has closed the schools. Law: It may be a while before we know what the law is here. In response to businessman Simon Dolan’s judicial review application which, bizarrely, may not be heard for a few months yet, the government has confirmed it did not direct closure of the schools. It says …
If the government didn’t direct schools to close, who did? Read More »
Fiction: You can’t stand within 2 metres (from 4th July 1 meter) of anyone except those in your own household. You have to keep that separation queuing outside a shop. You can’t hug your grandparents. Law: In England, this distancing rule has remained guidance only. Consenting citizens can hug each other if they wish. Always …
social distancing – still just a polite request …. Read More »
Below is a link to updated SAGE minutes as published up to 07 Feb 2021. These may be illuminating. Search for your favourite phrase (e.g. “actuarial”, “Cummings”, “let’s hide”) and find everywhere it is repeated. We have put together as a single document the complete SAGE Minutes as published by the government. It is bookmarked …
SAGE minutes all in one document, searchable and indexed Read More »
