Coronavirus Act 2020
The Coronavirus Act 2020 (c. 7) is an act of the Parliament of the United Kingdom that grants the government emergency powers to handle the COVID-19 pandemic. The act allows the government the discretionary power to limit or suspend public gatherings, to detain individuals suspected to be infected by COVID-19, and to intervene or relax regulations in a range of sectors to limit transmission of the disease, ease the burden on public health services, and assist healthcare workers and the economically affected. Areas covered by the act include the National Health Service, social care, schools, police, Border Force, local councils, funerals and courts. The act was introduced to Parliament on 19 March 2020, and passed the House of Commons without a vote on 23 March, and the House of Lords on 25 March. The act subsequently received royal assent on 25 March 2020.

Politicians from parties including the Conservatives, Labour, the Liberal Democrats, and the Greens demanded closer parliamentary scrutiny of the legislation while it was debated in Parliament. Advocacy groups such as Liberty and Disability Rights UK have likewise called for closer examination of the act and raised concerns over its effects on human rights during and after the pandemic.
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act
TIME
Q11010
Parliament of the United Kingdom
Concept
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emergency powers
Concept
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COVID-19 pandemic
Concept
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COVID-19
Concept
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National Health Service
ORG
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Border Force
MEDIA
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House of Commons
Concept
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House of Lords
Concept
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royal assent
MEDIA
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Conservatives
Concept
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Labour
Concept
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Liberal Democrats
ORG
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Greens
ORG
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Liberty
ORG
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Disability Rights UK
UNK
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Coronavirus Act 2020
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2020
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19 March 2020
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25 March 2020
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