Commission publishes briefing on Coronavirus Act 2020

Commission publishes briefing on Coronavirus Act 2020

Read the Commission’s briefing on the Coronavirus Act 2020.

Recent updates to the briefing are available here.

The UK and Northern Ireland governments have taken emergency powers, which restrict the freedoms normally taken for granted. The Coronavirus Act 2020 introduces new emergency powers to help contain and cope with COVID-19. These powers have a time limit of two years and can only be used where necessary to deal with the
COVID-19 public health crisis.

Human rights recognises that public health and other emergencies can arise, and has set out principles and legal mechanisms for responding to such contingencies. The Commission’s briefing sets out the powers taken and the safeguards that apply, and highlights the sections of the Act relevant to Northern Ireland, including the Health Protection (Coronavirus Restrictions) Regulations 2020 and the Temporary Modification of Education Duties (No 2) Notice (Northern Ireland) 2020.

Get in touch with us

We welcome feedback on your experience of the powers in practice in Northern Ireland.

The Commission can be contacted by email at info@nihrc.org or by telephone at 028 90243987 (press 1 for reception).