This post includes a rolling update of new legislation and guidance on coronavirus COVID-19 during October 2021 *.

Legislation

England

• Public Health England (Dissolution) (Consequential Amendments) Regulations 2021, SI 2021/974. As from 1 October 2021, Public Health England was replaced by UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) and the Office for Health Improvement and Disparities.

• The Health Protection (Coronavirus, International Travel and Operator Liability) (England) (Amendment) (No. 13) Regulations 2021, SI 2021/1107. No change to the Red list: still hotel quarantine; “eligible travellers” now need a day 2 test, but no isolation. All non-eligible travellers (unless exempt) now have to self-isolate, even if from a former Green list country; also fully vaccinated people from places not on the approved list.

• The Health Protection (Coronavirus, International Travel and Operator Liability) (England) (Amendment) (No. 14) Regulations 2021, SI 2021/1130. Amendments related to participants at the “Conference of the Parties” (“COP”) relating to climate change and the World Leaders Summit in November 2021 (“WLS”).

Wales

• The Health Protection (Coronavirus, International Travel) (Wales) (Amendment) (No. 11) Regulations 2021, WSI 2021/1126 (W.273).

• The Health Protection (Coronavirus Restrictions) (No. 5) (Wales) (Amendment) (No. 18) Regulations 2021, WSI 2021/1131 (W.274). Self-isolation and contact tracing amendments.

Scotland

• The Health Protection (Coronavirus) (International Travel and Operator Liability) (Scotland) Amendment (No. 4) Regulations 2021, SSI 2021357. Amendments related to participants at the “Conference of the Parties” (“COP”) relating to climate change and the World Leaders Summit in November 2021 (“WLS”).

Northern Ireland

• The Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2021 (Amendment No. 17) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2021, NISR 2021/283. Removal of the limit on the number of people who can attend an indoor gathering at a private dwelling, provided it is not a large house party or rave, remove the maximum number who can stay overnight at tourist accommodation and remove the requirement to be seated at an indoor performance, recording or rehearsal. It also amends the requirements for Visitor and Attendee Information to be recorded.

Guidance

England

• UKHSA publishes new recommendations for COVID-19 infection prevention and control UKHSA has recommended 3 pragmatic changes to the current management of COVID-19 IPC measures, with a focus on elective care. UKHSA, (27 September 2021).
• Travel to England from another country during coronavirus (COVID-19) Check what COVID-19 tests you need to take and the quarantine rules for travel to England. DfT (4 October 2021).
• Coronavirus (COVID-19): guidance for funerals and commemorative events during the coronavirus pandemic, DHSC and UKHSA. Updated in line with changes to regulations when entering England from overseas, and to reflect the end of the shielding programme. (18 October 2021).

Reports and analysis

• House of Commons: Health and Social Care and Science and Technology Committees: Sixth Report of the Health and Social Care Committee and Third Report of the Science and Technology Committee of Session 2021–22: Coronavirus: lessons learned to date report published. HC 92. 
• BBC: Covid: UK start to pandemic worst public health failure ever, MPs say.
• House of Common Library: Renewal of the temporary provisions under the Coronavirus Act 2020. (14 October 2021).

• Written statement to Parliament: Summary of updates to international travel, October 2021. (18 October 2021).

Church of England‡

Updated: Monday 4th October, 13.40 §

New FAQs added:

• Are there specific restrictions for Remembrance Sunday services? No, but please refer to general guidance for worship and liaise with and participating organisations when planning to conduct services in a safe way.
• Will churches use vaccine certification / vaccines passports? The Government’s Winter Plan makes it clear that vaccination certification will not be required for communal worship, wedding ceremonies, funerals and other commemorative events, even in the event of ‘Plan B’ measures coming into effect. While the Church is, in principle, opposed to making use of vaccine certification, it should adopt a flexible approach to their limited wider use with the important caveats that such use ought to be demonstrably beneficial to society as a whole, protective of the vulnerable in particular, non-discriminatory in nature and proportionate in use…for more information please see Submission to the Government’s consultation on vaccine certification.§
• How do I get a flu vaccine? If you’ve had COVID-19, it’s safe to have the flu vaccine. It will still be effective at helping to prevent flu. If you want to know if you qualify for a free flu vaccine and where to get one please see the NHS flu vaccine guidance.§

Law and Religion UK

• Law and religion round-up – 26 September. Vaccine passports: England, and elsewhere.
• Law and religion round-up – 3 October. RIP Public Health England (2013-2021).
• Law and religion round-up – 10th October. No COVID-19 related reports.

Post last updated,  6 December 2021 at 15:10.

* Information on COVID-19 on L&RUK

These updates are now published at the start of each month; they are not reissued, but new items are added as they become available, providing a “rolling update” of the latest developments. They are also added to COVID-19 Coronavirus: legislation and guidance which is  the main source of  information, and listed with the newest items last (unlike the CofE documents, infra); items in the monthly updates yet to be added are marked “§“.  The updates for the earlier updates are here.

‡ Church of England documents

Church of England documents are listed under their full title and issue number, in the same order as they appear on the Church’s web site.

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