Public Health (Control of Disease) Act 1984

Public Health (Control of Disease) Act 1984
Act of Parliament
	Parliament of the United Kingdom
Long title	An Act to consolidate certain enactments relating to the control of disease and to the establishment and functions of port health authorities, including enactments relating to burial and cremation and to the regulation of common lodging–houses and canal boats, with amendments to give effect to recommendations of the Law Commission.
Citation	1984 c. 22
Territorial extent	England and Wales
Dates
Royal assent	26 June 1984
Commencement	26 September 1984
Status: Amended
Text of statute as originally enacted
Revised text of statute as amended

The Public Health (Control of Disease) Act 1984 (c. 22) is a piece of legislation for England and Wales which requires physicians to notify the 'proper officer' of the local authority of any person deemed to be suffering from a notifiable disease.^[1]^[2] It also provides powers to isolate infected individuals to prevent the spread of such a disease. The act forms the basis of various legislation connected to the COVID-19 pandemic in the United Kingdom.^[3]

History

The Act, originally enacted to address public health concerns, has been a critical tool in managing infectious diseases such as tuberculosis in the UK. Over the years, it has undergone several amendments to adapt to evolving public health needs and legal standards. One of the key provisions of the Act allows for the detention of individuals with tuberculosis to prevent the spread of the disease, a measure that has sparked significant debate. Critics argue that this provision may infringe on individual rights, particularly in light of the European Convention on Human Rights, which the UK joined in 2000. Despite these concerns, the Act has played a vital role in controlling outbreaks and protecting public health, though it continues to be scrutinized and discussed in legal and public health circles.^[4]^[5]^[6]^[7]

COVID-19 pandemic

This Act was used as the legal basis for the regulations that put into force the stay at home order announced by Boris Johnson on 23 March 2020 in response to the COVID-19 pandemic,^[8] the Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) (England) Regulations 2020.^[9] The Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) (England) Regulations 2020 Statutory Instrument 350/2020 later gave legal force to some of the 'lockdown' rules that had been announced.^[9]

Misinformation about the Act circulated online during the COVID-19 pandemic.^[10] This included claims that it had been amended to mandate COVID-19 vaccination; according to Full Fact, the Act does not provide any power to mandate any treatment or vaccination.^[11]