Local authorities have been given new powers to shut down pubs and restaurants if they’re seen to pose a ‘serious and imminent threat to public health’.
The new Health Protection legislation, which came into force on Saturday (18 July), will give authorities the right to shut down sites, as well as cancel events or restrict the number of people on a premises.
Speaking on Friday (17 July) about the measures, prime minister Boris Johnson said that “ministers will be able to close whole sectors, or types of premises in an area, introduce stay at home orders, prevent people entering or leaving defined areas, reduce the maximum size of gatherings beyond national rules, or restrict transport systems serving local areas.”
Decisions will be reviewed every seven days, meaning some businesses may be able to reopen quickly, but reopening will be dependent upon persuading the local authority that concerns have been addressed.
Precis
LEGISLATION
Local authorities given business closure powers
Local authorities have been given new powers to shut down pubs and restaurants if they’re seen to pose a ‘serious and imminent threat to public health’. The new Health Protection legislation, which came into force on Saturday (18 July), will give authorities the right to shut down sites, as well as cancel events or restrict the number of people on a premises. Decisions will be reviewed every seven days, meaning some businesses may be able to reopen quickly, but reopening will be dependent upon persuading the local authority that concerns have been addressed.
