The College of Policing and National Police Chiefs' Council produced a document to provide additional guidance on police enforcement of the Coronavirus Act 2020 after it was reported a woman was wrongly charged under the new law.  

The guidance clarifies that police powers 'to direct or remove a person to a place suitable for screening and assessment' under the Coronavirus Act are 'exceptional powers for exceptional circumstances only'. It affirms that these powers exist to assist public health officials and can only be enforced against 'potentially infectious' individuals. The College of Policing advice sets out that a police officer must obtain the opinion of a public health official before making a judgement as to whether an individual should be considered 'potentially infectious'. 

We publish information as it is reported to us. If you would like to make us aware of an inaccuracy or send us more information please email us at [email protected]