[D66] UK to introduce emergency laws to curb coronavirus outbreak

[Antid Oto]

Emergency legislation becomes law, giving ministers unprecedented powers 
to tackle coronavirus outbreak
By
Ashley Cowburn
independent.co.uk
2 min
View Original

Draconian emergency powers to help ministers deal with the covid-19 
pandemic have become law, as the Queen granted the legislation royal assent.

It comes after both the Lords and the Commons passed the unprecedented 
329-page bill in just three days, bringing into force the Coronavirus 
Act 2020.

It will see the powers of ministers, councils, police, health 
professionals and coroners temporarily strengthened during the UK's 
current lockdown, which is designed to stall the spread of the 
potentially deadly illness.

Ministers, for example, will now have the ability to restrict or 
prohibit events and gatherings during the outbreak of the virus, “in any 
place, vehicle, train, vessel or aircraft, any moveable structure and 
any offshore installations and where necessary, to close premises”.

The new laws will also allow for the greater use of video hearings in 
court cases, and introduce changes so that thousands of recently retired 
NHS staff will be able to return to work, without any loss of pensions 
rights.

Other changes include reducing the number of doctors required to sign 
off on sectioning those with mental health issues from two to one, while 
police would be given authority to force those infected with covid-19 to 
self-isolate

The legislation, which will be in force for a two-year period, will be 
reviewed by MPs every six months, after No 10 relented to pressure 
earlier this week.

Cross-party MPs raised concerns that the draconian legislation had 
severe implications for human rights and civil liberties, while the 
former cabinet minister David Davis also said there will inevitably be 
mistakes in the legislation due to it being fast-tracked through both 
the Commons and Lords.

"The bill is guaranteed to have flaws, even with the best draughtsman in 
the world,” the former Brexit secretary said.

To alleviate their concerns, Downing Street submitted its own amendment 
to the bill, giving MPs the powers to review certain key powers 
contained in the bill on a twice-yearly basis.

Health Minister Lord Bethell expressed his "profound thanks" to those 
involved with the bill and ensuring its swift passage through 
parliament, including other political parties, who he said had "worked 
in a collaborative and supportive way during this whole process".

He added: "I would like to thank those who work in parliament and House 
of Lords who are here today at considerable risk to themselves and have 
displayed amazing commitment to this remarkable organisation."

Opposition frontbencher Baroness Thornton said it had been a "perfect 
exercise in consultation and work across the House".

On 05-04-2020 11:30, Antid Oto wrote:
> (Scumbag politics...)
> 
> UK to introduce emergency laws to curb coronavirus outbreak
> By
> aljazeera.com
> 2 min
> View Original
> 
> 
> The United Kingdom will soon introduce emergency laws to curb the 
> coronavirus outbreak, including banning public gatherings and giving 
> police the power to detain infected people, according to reports.
> 
> The move would be an escalation of the UK's crisis plan which critics 
> had said was too relaxed after Prime Minister Boris Johnson resisted 
> pressure to take some of the stringent measures adopted by other 
> European countries to slow the spread of the virus.
> More:
> 
> But on Friday, England's football Premier League suspended all matches 
> until April 4 and other events such as the London Marathon were 
> postponed by their organisers.
> 
> "We have drafted emergency legislation to give the government the powers 
> it needs to deal with coronavirus, including powers to stop mass 
> gatherings and compensate organisations," a government source told 
> Reuters news agency.
> 
> "We will publish this legislation next week."
> 
> British media said the ban on mass gatherings could come into force from 
> next weekend and could affect events such as the Glastonbury music 
> festival, the Wimbledon tennis championship and the Grand National horse 
> race.
> 
> The legislation which is expected to become law by the end of the month 
> comes after it was reported on Friday that the number of coronavirus 
> cases in the UK rose in a day by 200 to 798 cases.
> 
> Ministers believe the virus will eventually infect the majority of the 
> population and the law is intended to stay in place for two years to 
> alleviate pressure on health services, according to The Times.
> 
> The emergency measures include allowing authorities to detain people 
> "for a limited period" if they are suspected to be infected with the 
> coronavirus, the newspaper said.
> 
> Authorities will also be able to close ports if there is not enough 
> staff to control border security.
> 
> The government will be able to order schools to stay open if they are 
> deemed to be unnecessarily closed and to close them during pandemic 
> peaks, The Times reported.
> 
> According to the newspaper, seniors in care homes could receive less 
> care and support due to staff shortages.
> 
> Local authorities will be able to offer reduced levels of care to people 
> in their homes or in care homes as long as it does not cause "serious 
> neglect or harm".
> 
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