header-logo header-logo

Home Login E-newsletter About us
25 June 2020 / Peter Thompson KC
Issue: 7892 / Categories: Opinion , Covid-19 , Human rights
printer mail-detail

COVID-19: Lockdown lovers

© Copyright LexisNexis 2026. All Rights Reserved.
23164
Lockdown laws from a loving perspective, by Peter Thompson QC

COVID-19 has brought death and despair. We cannot see an end but we have been offered hope in the form of restrictions on our activities which ought, if the scientists are right, to improve our chances of survival. Yes, but what are the restrictions and what do they mean for you and me?

Lockdown law

First, the black letter law. Although the Secretary of State has been empowered by the Coronavirus Act 2020 to issue directions relating to events, gatherings and premises (s 52 and Sch 22), the main restrictions on our activities have been imposed, as of 26 March 2020, by regulations made under the Public Health (Control of Disease) Act 1984. The controlling instrument for England is the Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) (England) Regulations 2020, (SI 2020/350) and a similar instrument regulates activities in Wales. Both have been amended several times and for England the most significant amendments are in the Amendment No 3 regulations (SI 2020/558), which came into force on 1 June.

Dramatic restrictions have included

If you are not a subscriber, subscribe now to read this content
If you are already a subscriber sign in
...or Register for two weeks' free access to subscriber content

MOVERS & SHAKERS

Read All
Jurit LLP—Caroline Williams

Jurit LLP—Caroline Williams

Private wealth and tax team welcomes cross-border specialist as consultant

Freeths—Michelle Kirkland Elias

Freeths—Michelle Kirkland Elias

International hospitality and leisure specialist joins corporate team as partner

Flint Bishop—Deborah Niven

Flint Bishop—Deborah Niven

Firm appoints head of intellectual property to drive northern growth

NEWS
Read All
NLJ this week: No such thing as a ‘Welsh seat’
Talk of a reserved ‘Welsh seat’ on the Supreme Court is misplaced. In NLJ this week, Professor Graham Zellick KC explains that the Constitutional Reform Act treats ‘England and Wales’ as one jurisdiction, with no statutory Welsh slot
NLJ this week: Jury reform risks justice for efficiency’s sake
The government’s plan to curb jury trials has sparked ‘jury furore’. Writing in NLJ this week, David Locke, partner at Hill Dickinson, says the rationale is ‘grossly inadequate’
NLJ this week: Crypto fightback offers ‘new frontier for law’
A year after the $1.5bn Bybit heist, crypto fraud is booming—but so is recovery. Writing in NLJ this week, Neil Holloway, founder and CEO of M2 Recovery, warns that scams hit at least $14bn in 2025, fuelled by ‘pig butchering’ cons and AI deepfakes
NLJ this week: Time to revive the duty to report crime?
After Woodcock confirmed no general duty to warn, debate turns to the criminal law. Writing in NLJ this week, Charles Davey of The Barrister Group urges revival of misprision or a modern equivalent
NLJ this week: When are experts truly ‘necessary’?
Family courts are tightening control of expert evidence. Writing in NLJ this week, Dr Chris Pamplin says there is ‘no automatic right’ to call experts; attendance must be ‘necessary in the interests of justice’ under FPR Pt 25
Copyright © 2026 LexisNexis
back-to-top-scroll