Legalize / United Kingdom / Public General Act

Public Health (Control of Disease) Act 1984

Type Public General Act

Publication 2024-11-07

State In force

Department Statute Law Database

Source legislation.gov.uk

articles Not indexed

Reform history JSON API

(4) The order may impose on or in relation to P a requirement that P provide information or answer questions about P's health or other circumstances (including, in particular, information or questions about the identity of a related party).

(5) “ Related party ” means—

(a) a person who has or may have infected or contaminated P, or

(b) a person whom P has or may have infected or contaminated.

(6) An order under this section may also order a person with parental responsibility (within the meaning of the Children Act 1989) for P to secure that P submits to or complies with the restrictions or requirements imposed by the order.

(7) The appropriate Minister must by regulations make provision about the evidence that must be available to a justice of the peace before the justice can be satisfied as mentioned in subsection (1) or (3).

(8) Any reference in this section to a person who is infected or contaminated includes a reference to a person who carries the source of an infection or contamination, and any reference to infecting or contaminating others includes a reference to passing that source to others.

45H

(1) A justice of the peace may make an order under subsection (2) in relation to a thing if the justice is satisfied that—

(a) the thing is or may be infected or contaminated,

(b) the infection or contamination is one which presents or could present significant harm to human health,

(d) it is necessary to make the order in order to remove or reduce that risk.

(2) The order may impose in relation to the thing one or more of the following restrictions or requirements—

(a) that the thing be seized or retained;

(b) that the thing be kept in isolation or quarantine;

(d) in the case of a dead body, that the body be buried or cremated;

(e) in any other case, that the thing be destroyed or disposed of.

(3) A justice of the peace may make an order under subsection (4) in relation to a thing if the justice is satisfied that—

(a) the thing is or may be infected or contaminated,

(b) the infection or contamination is one which presents or could present significant harm to human health,

(d) it is necessary to make the order in order to remove or reduce that risk.

(4) The order may require—

(a) the owner of the thing, or

(b) any person who has or has had custody or control of the thing,

to provide information or answer questions about the thing (including, in particular, information or questions about where the thing has been or about the identity of any related person or the whereabouts of any related thing).

(5) “ Related person ” means—

(a) a person who has or may have infected or contaminated the thing mentioned in subsection (3)(a), or

(b) a person whom the thing has or may have infected or contaminated.

(6) “ Related thing ” means—

(a) a thing which has or may have infected or contaminated the thing mentioned in subsection (3)(a), or

(b) a thing which the thing mentioned in subsection (3)(a) has or may have infected or contaminated.

(7) The appropriate Minister may by regulations make provision about the evidence that must be available to a justice of the peace before the justice can be satisfied as mentioned in subsection (1) or (3).

(8) In this section—

(a) any reference to being infected or contaminated includes a reference to carrying the source of an infection or contamination, and

(b) any reference to infecting or contaminating humans, or a person or thing, includes a reference to passing the source of an infection or contamination to humans, or to the person or thing.

45I

(1) A justice of the peace may make an order under subsection (2) in relation to premises if the justice is satisfied that—

(a) the premises are or may be infected or contaminated,

(b) the infection or contamination is one which presents or could present significant harm to human health,

(d) it is necessary to make the order in order to remove or reduce that risk.

(2) The order may impose in relation to the premises one or more of the following restrictions or requirements—

(a) that the premises be closed;

(b) that, in the case of a conveyance or movable structure, the conveyance or structure be detained;

(d) that, in the case of a building, conveyance or structure, the premises be destroyed.

(3) A justice of the peace may make an order under subsection (4) in relation to premises if the justice is satisfied that—

(a) the premises are or may be infected or contaminated or are or may be a place where infection or contamination was spread between persons or things,

(b) the infection or contamination is one which presents or could present significant harm to human health,

(d) it is necessary to make the order in order to remove or reduce that risk.

(4) The order may require the owner or any occupier of the premises to provide information or answer questions about the premises (including, in particular, information about the identity of any related person or the whereabouts of any related thing).

(5) “ Related person ” means—

(a) a person who has or may have infected or contaminated the premises,

(b) a person who has or may have infected or contaminated a person who or thing which is or has been on the premises,

(d) a person who has or may have been infected or contaminated by a person who or thing which is or has been on the premises.

(6) “ Related thing ” means—

(a) a thing which has or may have infected or contaminated the premises,

(b) a thing which has or may have infected or contaminated a person who or thing which is or has been on the premises,

(d) a thing which has or may have been infected or contaminated by a person who or thing which is or has been on the premises.

(7) The appropriate Minister may by regulations make provision about the evidence that must be available to a justice of the peace before the justice can be satisfied as mentioned in subsection (1) or (3).

(8) In this section—

(a) any reference to being infected or contaminated includes a reference to carrying the source of an infection or contamination, and

(b) any reference to infecting or contaminating humans, or a person, thing or premises, includes a reference to passing the source of an infection or contamination to humans, or to the person, thing or premises.

45J

(1) The powers in sections 45G, 45H and 45I include power to make an order in relation to a group of persons, things or premises.

(2) For those purposes, the sections have effect as follows.

(3) In section 45G—

(a) in subsections (1)(a) and (c) and (3)(a), the reference to P is a reference to each person in the group, and

(b) in subsections (2) and (4), any reference to P is a reference to any one or more of the persons in the group.

(4) In section 45H—

(a) in subsections (1)(a) and (c) and (3)(a), the reference to the thing is a reference to each thing in the group, and

(b) in subsections (2) and (4) any reference to the thing is a reference to any one or more of the things in the group.

(5) In section 45I—

(a) in subsections (1)(a) and (c) and (3)(a), the reference to the premises is a reference to each set of premises in the group, and

(b) in subsections (2) and (4), any reference to the premises is a reference to any one or more of the sets of premises in the group.

45K

(1) This section makes further provision about orders under sections 45G, 45H and 45I (referred to in this Part as “ Part 2A orders ”).

(2) A Part 2A order may include, in addition to the restrictions or requirements mentioned in the provision under which it is made, such other restrictions or requirements as the justice considers necessary for the purpose of reducing or removing the risk in question.

(3) A restriction or requirement contained in a Part 2A order may be expressed to take effect subject to conditions specified in the order.

(4) Two or more Part 2A orders may be combined in a single order.

(5) A Part 2A order may contain such directions as the justice considers appropriate to give effect to it.

(6) Without prejudice to subsection (5)—

(a) a Part 2A order may, if the justice is satisfied as mentioned in subsection (4) of section 61, authorise anything which may be authorised by warrant under subsection (3) of that section, and

(b) if the order does so, section 62(1) and (1A) have effect as if—

(i) the order were a warrant issued under section 61, and

(ii) the person so authorised were a proper officer.

(7) A Part 2A order may order the payment of compensation or expenses in connection with the taking of measures pursuant to the order.

(8) A Part 2A order is authority for those persons to whom it is addressed to do such things as may be necessary to give effect to it.

45L

(1) A Part 2A order must specify the period for which any restriction or requirement imposed by or under the order is to remain in force.

(2) That period may be extended by further order of a justice of the peace.

(3) In relation to restrictions or requirements mentioned in section 45G(2)(c) or (d), neither the period specified under subsection (1) nor the period of any extension under subsection (2) may exceed 28 days or such shorter period as the appropriate Minister may by regulations prescribe.

(4) The appropriate Minister may by regulations prescribe, in relation to any other restrictions or requirements, the maximum period which may be specified under subsection (1) and the maximum period of any extension under subsection (2).

45M

(1) The power of a justice of the peace to make a Part 2A order is exercisable on the application of a local authority.

(2) Local authorities must co-operate with each other in deciding which of them should apply for a Part 2A order in any particular case.

(3) The appropriate Minister must by regulations require a local authority to give notice to such persons as may be prescribed by the regulations of the making of an application for a Part 2A order, but this is subject to subsection (4).

(4) If a justice of the peace considers it necessary to do so, the justice may make a Part 2A order without a person having been given such notice as is otherwise required to be given to that person under rules of court or regulations under subsection (3).

(5) A Part 2A order may be varied or revoked by a justice of the peace on the application of—

(a) an affected person,

(b) a local authority, or

(6) In the case of an order under section 45G, the following persons are affected persons—

(a) P,

(b) a person with parental responsibility (within the meaning of the Children Act 1989) for P,

(d) a person living with P as P's husband, wife or civil partner, and

(e) such other persons as may be prescribed by regulations.

(7) In the case of an order under section 45H(2), the following persons are affected persons—

(a) the owner of the thing,

(b) any person with custody or control of the thing, and

(8) In the case of an order under section 45I(2), the following persons are affected persons—

(a) the owner of the premises,

(b) any occupier of the premises, and

(9) In the case of an order under section 45H(4) or 45I(4), the person required to provide information or answer questions and such other persons as may be prescribed by regulations are affected persons.

(10) Variation or revocation of a Part 2A order does not invalidate anything done under the order prior to the variation or revocation.

(11) In this section “ regulations ” means regulations made by the appropriate Minister.

45N

(1) The appropriate Minister may by regulations make provision about the taking of measures pursuant to Part 2A orders.

(2) The regulations may in particular make provision about—

(a) the type of investigation which may be carried out as part of a medical examination;

(b) the manner in which measures are to be taken;

(d) who is to be liable for the costs of measures;

(e) the payment of compensation or expenses in connection with the taking of measures.

(3) But the regulations may not confer functions on officers of Revenue and Customs to execute or enforce Part 2A orders unless the regulations are made with the consent of the Commissioners for Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs.

45O

(1) A person commits an offence if the person—

(a) fails without reasonable excuse to comply with a restriction or requirement imposed by or under a Part 2A order, or

(b) wilfully obstructs anyone acting in the execution of a Part 2A order.

(2) A person guilty of an offence under subsection (1) is liable on summary conviction to a fine.

(3) If—

(a) a person is convicted of an offence under subsection (1), and

(b) the court by which the person is convicted is satisfied that the failure or wilful obstruction constituting the offence has caused premises or things to become infected or contaminated or otherwise damaged them in a material way,

the court may, if it considers it appropriate to do so, order the person to take or pay for such remedial action as may be specified in the order.

(4) Subsection (5) applies if—

(a) a Part 2A order imposes a requirement that a person be detained or kept in isolation or quarantine in a place, and

(b) the person leaves that place contrary to the requirement.

(5) A constable may take the person into custody and return the person to that place.

(6) But a person may not be taken into custody under subsection (5) after expiry of the period for which the requirement is in force.

Regulations under Part 2A: general

45P

(1) A power to make regulations under this Part is exercisable by statutory instrument.

(2) A power to make regulations under this Part includes power to make different provision for different cases or different areas.

45Q

(1) An instrument containing regulations under this Part, except one to which subsection (4) applies, is subject to annulment—

(a) in the case of English regulations, in pursuance of a resolution of either House of Parliament;

(b) in the case of Welsh regulations, in pursuance of a resolution of the National Assembly for Wales.

(2) Subject to subsection (3), subsection (4) applies to an instrument containing (whether alone or with other provisions)—

(a) regulations under section 45C,

(b) regulations which amend an enactment pursuant to section 45F(3),

(d) the first regulations to be made under section 45L(4), or

(e) the first regulations to be made under section 45N.

(3) Subsection (4) does not apply by virtue of subsection (2)(a) if the instrument contains a declaration that the person making it is of the opinion that the instrument does not contain any provision made by virtue of section 45C(3)(c) which imposes or enables the imposition of—

(a) a special restriction or requirement, or

(b) any other restriction or requirement which has or would have a significant effect on a person's rights.

(4) Subject to section 45R, an instrument to which this subsection applies may not be made unless—

(a) in the case of English regulations, a draft of the instrument has been laid before, and approved by a resolution of, each House of Parliament;

(b) in the case of Welsh regulations, a draft of the instrument has been laid before, and approved by a resolution of, the National Assembly for Wales.

(5) If an instrument, or a draft of an instrument, containing regulations under section 45B or 45C would, apart from this subsection, be treated for the purposes of the Standing Orders of either House of Parliament as a hybrid instrument, it is to proceed in that House as if it were not such an instrument.

(6) In this section—

“ English regulations ” means regulations made by the Secretary of State;

“ Welsh regulations ” means regulations made by the Welsh Ministers.

45R

(1) This section applies to an instrument to which subsection (4) of section 45Q applies by virtue of subsection (2)(a) or (b) of that section.

(2) The instrument may be made without a draft having been laid and approved as mentioned in subsection (4) of that section if the instrument contains a declaration that the person making it is of the opinion that, by reason of urgency, it is necessary to make the order without a draft being so laid and approved.

(3) After an instrument is made in accordance with subsection (2), it must be laid—

(a) in the case of English regulations, before each House of Parliament;

(b) in the case of Welsh regulations, before the National Assembly for Wales.

(4) Regulations contained in an instrument made in accordance with subsection (2) cease to have effect at the end of the period of 28 days beginning with the day on which the instrument is made unless, during that period, the instrument is approved—

(a) in the case of English regulations, by a resolution of each House of Parliament;

(b) in the case of Welsh regulations, by a resolution of the National Assembly for Wales.

(5) But if on any day during that period, on proceedings on a motion that (or to the effect that) the instrument be so approved, either House of Parliament or, as the case may be, the National Assembly for Wales comes to a decision rejecting the instrument, the regulations cease to have effect at the end of that day instead.

(6) In reckoning any such period of 28 days, no account is to be taken—

(a) in the case of English regulations, of any time during which Parliament is prorogued or dissolved or during which both Houses are adjourned for more than 4 days;

(b) in the case of Welsh regulations, of any time during which the National Assembly for Wales is dissolved or is in recess for more than 4 days.

(7) Subsections (4) and (5) do not—

(a) affect anything done in reliance on the regulations before they ceased to have effect, or

(b) prevent the making of new regulations.

(8) In this section “ English regulations ” and “ Welsh regulations ” have the same meaning as in section 45Q.

General

45S

The provisions of this Part have effect in relation to the territorial sea adjacent to England or Wales.

45T

(1) This Part is to be read in accordance with this section.

(2) “ Enactment ” means an enactment whenever passed or made, and includes an enactment comprised in subordinate legislation (within the meaning of the Interpretation Act 1978).

(3) “ Medical examination ” includes microbiological, radiological and toxicological tests.

(4) “ Special restriction or requirement ” has the meaning given by section 45C(6).

(5) “ Thing ” includes—

(a) human tissue,

(b) a dead body or human remains,

(d) plant material.

(6) “ The appropriate Minister ” means—

(a) the Secretary of State, as respects England (including the sea adjacent to England out as far as the seaward boundary of the territorial sea);

(b) the Welsh Ministers, as respects Wales (including the sea adjacent to Wales out as far as that boundary).

(7) An order made under section 158(3) of the Government of Wales Act 2006 (orders to determine boundary of the sea adjacent to Wales) applies for the purposes of subsection (6) as it applies for the purposes of that Act.

(8) Any reference to amending an enactment includes a reference to repealing, revoking or modifying the application of an enactment, and “amendment” is to be read accordingly.

(9) Any reference to giving effect to an international agreement or arrangement includes a reference to giving effect to a recommendation issued under such an agreement or arrangement.

60A

(1) The appropriate Minister may by regulations make provision enabling notices, orders and other documents specified in the regulations to be given or served by an electronic communication.

(2) Such provision must however secure that the notices, orders and other documents specified in the regulations may only be so given or served if—

(a) the person to whom they are to be given or on whom they are to be served has consented in writing to the receipt of notices, orders and other documents by an electronic communication, and

(b) the communication is sent to the number or address specified by that person when giving consent.

(3) The power to make regulations under this section is exercisable by statutory instrument.

(4) An instrument containing any such regulations is subject to annulment—

(a) in the case of regulations made by the Secretary of State, in pursuance of a resolution of either House of Parliament;

(b) in the case of regulations made by the Welsh Ministers, in pursuance of a resolution of the National Assembly for Wales.

(5) Sections 58 to 60 are to be read subject to any provision made in regulations under this section.

(6) In this section—

“electronic communication” has the same meaning as in the Electronic Communications Act 2000,

“notices, orders and other documents” means notices, orders and other documents authorised or required by or under this Act to be given or served, and

“the appropriate Minister” means— the Secretary of State, in relation to England;the Welsh Ministers, in relation to Wales.

Contravention of regulations under s. 13.

Power of local authority to direct that other diseases notifiable.

Health protection regulations: domestic

Medical treatment

Health protection regulations: supplementary

Power to order health measures in relation to persons

Power to order health measures in relation to premises

Orders in respect of groups

Part 2A orders: supplementary

Power to make further provision by regulations

Emergency procedure

Application to territorial sea

Burial and cremation.

Power to enter premises.

63A

(1) If an offence created by or under this Act is committed by a body corporate and is proved—

(a) to have been committed with the consent or connivance of an officer, or

(b) to be attributable to any neglect on the part of an officer,

the officer (as well as the body corporate) is guilty of the offence and liable to be proceeded against and punished accordingly.

(2) “Officer”, in relation to a body corporate, means a director, manager, secretary or other similar officer of the body, or a person purporting to act in any such capacity.

(3) If the affairs of a body corporate are managed by its members, subsection (1) applies to the acts and defaults of a member in connection with the member's functions of management as if the member were a director of the body corporate.

Unincorporated associations

63B

(1) Proceedings for an offence alleged to have been committed by an unincorporated association are to be brought in the name of the association (and not in that of any of the members).

(2) Rules of court relating to the service of documents have effect as if the unincorporated association were a body corporate.

(3) In proceedings for an offence brought against an unincorporated association, Schedule 3 to the Magistrates' Courts Act 1980 applies as it applies to a body corporate.

(4) A fine imposed on an unincorporated association on its conviction for an offence is to be paid out of the funds of the association.

(5) If an offence committed by an unincorporated association is proved—

(a) to have been committed with the consent or connivance of an officer of the association or a member of its governing body, or

(b) to be attributable to any neglect on the part of such an officer or member,

the officer or member (as well as the association) is guilty of the offence and liable to be proceeded against and punished accordingly.

(6) In this section, “ offence ” means an offence created by or under this Act.

Restriction on right to prosecute.

64A

(1) Notwithstanding anything in section 127(1) of the Magistrates' Courts Act 1980, a magistrates' court may try an information (or written charge) relating to an offence created by or under this Act if the information is laid (or the charge is issued)—

(a) before the end of the period of 3 years beginning with the date of the commission of the offence, and

(b) before the end of the period of 6 months beginning with the date on which evidence which the prosecutor thinks is sufficient to justify the proceedings comes to the prosecutor's knowledge.

(2) For the purposes of subsection (1)(b)—

(a) a certificate signed by or on behalf of the prosecutor and stating the date on which such evidence came to the prosecutor's knowledge is conclusive evidence of that fact, and

(b) a certificate stating that matter and purporting to be so signed is to be treated as so signed unless the contrary is proved.

Time limits for prosecutions

1875 = Public Health Act 1875 (c. 55).

Health protection regulations: international travel etc.

Power to order health measures in relation to things

Power to order health measures in relation to premises

Procedure for making, varying and revoking Part 2A orders

Enforcement of Part 2A orders

Emergency procedure

Enforcement of Part 2A orders

Regulations about dead bodies.

Supplementary provisions as to entry.

Unincorporated associations

Time limits for prosecutions

Isle of Man and Channel Islands.

1936 = Public Health Act 1936 (c. 49).

Power of local authority to direct that other diseases notifiable.

Health protection regulations: international travel etc.

Health protection regulations: domestic

Medical treatment

Health protection regulations: supplementary

Power to order health measures in relation to persons

Power to order health measures in relation to premises

Part 2A orders: supplementary

Emergency procedure

Part 2A: further definitions

Regulations about dead bodies.

Supplementary provisions as to entry.

Unincorporated associations

Time limits for prosecutions

Isle of Man and Channel Islands.

1936 = Public Health Act 1936 (c. 49).

Power to order health measures in relation to things

Power to order health measures in relation to premises

Procedure for making, varying and revoking Part 2A orders

Enforcement of Part 2A orders

Emergency procedure

Part 2A: further definitions

Regulations about dead bodies.

Supplementary provisions as to entry.

Unincorporated associations

Isle of Man and Channel Islands.

1936 = Public Health Act 1936 (c. 49).

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