Chat about Novel Coronavirus - 2019-nCoV - COVID-19

I.E can they actually do anything unless a state of emergency is declared, or until this corona virus bill is passed into law

Almost everywhere in Europe has declared a state of emergency. I would assume the UK is days behind (like the school closures for example).

Surely they will just change the law if needed.

I think relatively sweeping new powers have been granted temporarily this week. The Emergency Coronavirus Bill.

Don't worry, they got this...
https://twitter.com/Peston/status/1240042142678089730

Any legal bods know what the actual laws are regarding this

Section 45C of the Public Health (Control of Disease) Act 1984, which allows ministers to make regulations 'imposing or enabling the imposition of restrictions or requirements on or in relation to persons, things or premises in the event of, or in response to, a threat to public health.' No need for a new Act, no need for the declaration of a state of emergency. They can just do it.

Given all the laws like that, all the Henry VIII clauses and laws like the Regulatory Reform Act 2001, not to mention the very concept of parliamentary sovereignty, the only reasons this country isn't a dictatorship are good manners and tradition.

PS and edit: What @Thrustvector said without the biting social commentary.

Lots of rumours circulating about a London 'lockdown' this weekend

Yeah, hearing something about a possible Friday London lockdown. Very much a rumour though, even though coming from people in government in this case.

To be honest, it doesn't really make a big difference, all I can do is wait for it to happen or not. If I can't go out for a run at least though my general mental health will decline rather rapidly.