Section 48 and Schedule 18: Powers to act for the protection of public health: Northern Ireland Section 52 and Schedule 22: Powers to issue directions relating to events, gatherings and premises
The section and Schedule enable the Secretary of State, the Scottish Ministers, the Welsh Ministers and Executive Office in Northern Ireland to restrict or prohibit gatherings or events and to close and restrict access to premises during a public health response period (which is determined by Ministers based on criteria defined in the Schedule).
	The Secretary of State, the Scottish Ministers, the Welsh Ministers and the Executive Office in Northern Ireland should respectively consult: the Chief Medical Officer or a Deputy Chief Medical Officer; the Chief Medical Officer of the Scottish Administration; the Chief Medical Officer or one of the Deputy Chief Medical Officers for Wales; and the Chief Medical Officer or any of the Deputy Chief Medical Officers of the Department of Health in Northern Ireland before making a declaration that starts a public health response period (or revoking any such declaration).
	Part 2 of the Schedule makes provision for England. The rest of the Schedule makes similar provisions for Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
	The power to restrict or prohibit gatherings or events may be directed towards the owner or occupier of the premises or anyone involved in holding such an event or gathering. The power to close or restrict access to premises may be directed towards the owner or occupier of the premises, or anyone involved in managing access to and within the premises.
	The Schedule provides that the Secretary of State, the Scottish Ministers, the Welsh Ministers and the Executive Office in Northern Ireland should respectively have regard to: the advice of the Chief Medical Officer or one of the Deputy Chief Medical Officers; the Chief Medical Officer of the Scottish Administration; the Chief Medical Officer or one of the Deputy Chief Medical Officers for Wales; and the Chief Medical Officer or any of the Deputy Chief Medical Officers of the Department of Health in Northern Ireland, before issuing a direction under this power. The Executive Office in Northern Ireland is also required to consult with one of the specified persons before issuing a direction.
	The territorial extent and application of the section and the Schedule is England and Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. Part 2 of the Schedule applies in England only, Part 3 of the Schedule applies in Scotland only, Part 4 of the Schedule applies in Wales only, and Part 5 of the Schedule applies in Northern Ireland only.