Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) (England) (No. 4) Regulations 2020 — Nationwide Lockdown for 28 Days — 4 Nov 2020 at 15:50

The majority of MPs voted to forbid anyone from leaving, or being outside of, the place where they are living without reasonable excuse, to close non-essential retail, entertainment and leisure venues and to restrict food and drink businesses to delivery, click and collect, drive through and takeaway.

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

• That the Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) (England) (No. 4) Regulations 2020 (S.I., 2020, No. 1200), dated 3 November 2020, a copy of which was laid before this House on 3 November, be approved.

The permitted reasonable excuses were set out in the regulations, and included, "for necessary purposes":

"

• to obtain or access supplies and/or services from businesses and services that are open for oneself, one’s household, or a vulnerable person;
• to access banking services;
• to take exercise or visit a public open place for the purposes of open air recreation;
• to attend a place of worship;
• to attend an event commemorating Remembrance Sunday or Armistice Day;
• to undertake activities in relation to buying, renting, selling or letting property;
• to visit a member or members of a linked household (known as a ‘bubble’);
• to collect takeaway food or goods that have been ordered for collection;
• to recycle or dispose of waste.
• For work, care and legal purposes;
• For the purposes of education and training;
• For emergency assistance;
• For accessing critical public services and services provided by voluntary or charitable services;
• So that elite athletes can train or compete;
• To attend to personal medical needs, or to visit those giving birth or in hospital or care;
• To give respite or support to other people, or to access it for oneself;
• To visit a relative or friend on their deathbed, including if for their wedding, or to attend their funeral;
• To look after children (for example, to take them to school, or to see their siblings, or to meet a prospective adopter);
• To provide for the welfare of pets;
• To return home, where the person is on holiday immediately before this instrument comes into force;
• To visit a family member or friend in prison.

"

The regulations also contained restrictions on gatherings and arrangements for enforcement including via fixed penalty notices.

The regulation was debated, and voted on, prior to coming into force on 5 November 2020.

The regulations contain a provision which provides they expire 28 days after coming into force.

• [1] Explanatory Memorandum to the Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) (England) (No. 4) Regulations 2020 (S.I., 2020, No. 1200) Legislation.gov.uk

Debate in Parliament |