Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of bringing forward legislation to give local authorities the power to enforce a minimum of one metre social distancing during the covid-19 outbreak.

We have always said there would be local outbreaks requiring local action. New powers came into force on 18 July, enabling local authorities to manage future outbreaks, which includes the power for local authorities to close individual premises or public outdoor spaces, and place restrictions on events.

These Regulations focus on local authorities’ powers, but the police will have a role to enforce the rules that the local authority puts in place, particularly in regard to closed outdoor public spaces

The Joint Biosecurity Centre will continue to provide local authorities with data on local infection rates and provide an early indication of potential outbreaks. We continue to be led by scientists and data, so remain ready to regulate, where there is clear evidence to do so.