Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) (No. 2) (England) (Amendment) (No. 3) Regulations 2020 — Opening of Casinos, Skating Rinks, Bowling Alleys and Conferences — 23 Sep 2020 at 20:40

The majority of MPs voted to permit, in England, the opening of casinos, indoor skating rinks, indoor play areas and bowling alleys as well as to permit public events at conference centres and exhibition halls.

The motion supported by the majority of MPs in this vote was:

• That the Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) (No. 2) (England) (Amendment) (No. 3) Regulations 2020 (S.I., 2020, No. 863), dated 14 August 2020, a copy of which was laid before this House on 14 August, be approved.

MPs voted on the 23rd of September 2020 on these regulations which came into force on the 15th of August 2020.

As provided for by Section 45R of the Public Health (Control of Disease) Act 1984 the regulations would have ceased to have effect at the end of the period of 28 parliamentary sitting days beginning with the day on which the instrument was made unless, during that period, the instrument was approved by a resolution of each House of Parliament.

The regulations supported in this vote amended the Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) (No. 2) (England) Regulations 2020 in two ways:

1. In regulation 4(2), omit sub-paragraph (b).

This removed an exemption allowing the following to remain open

• facilities for training by elite sportspersons, including indoor fitness studios, gyms, sports courts, indoor or outdoor swimming pools and other indoor leisure centres;

This provision was apparently no-longer required as general ban on access to such facilities had been repealed by The Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) (No. 2) (England) (Amendment) (No. 3) Regulations 2020 which also came into force on 15th August 2020.

2. (3) In Schedule 2, omit paragraphs 4, 11, 13, 16 and 17.

These paragraphs listed the following businesses which were subject to closure prior to the regulations which were the subject of this vote coming into force: casinos, indoor skating rinks, indoor play areas, including soft play areas, Bowling alleys and "Conference centres and exhibition halls, so far as they are used to host conferences, exhibitions or trade shows other than conferences or events which are attended only by employees of the person who owns or is responsible for running the conference centre or exhibition hall. "

• [1] Explanatory memorandum to the Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) (No. 2) (England) (Amendment) (No. 3) Regulations 2020, legislation.gov.uk

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