CPS Prosecution Guidance on Coronavirus Health Protection Regulations
Plain-English digest of CPS prosecution guidance.
AI-generated summary — not verbatim. This is a plain-English digest, not the official CPS text. It may omit detail or fall out of date. Do not rely on it for a charging decision — read the full guidance on cps.gov.uk and check the current legislation.
This guidance outlines the legal framework and prosecution approach concerning the Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) (All Tiers) (England) Regulations 2020. It assists prosecutors with interpreting regulations, understanding tier restrictions, and applying the legal provisions relevant to alleged breaches. The document emphasizes the importance of using the correct version of the regulations in force at the time of any alleged offence.
Key points
- Prosecutors must refer to the relevant version of regulations active at the time of the breach.
- Offences related to breach of COVID regulations are generally summary only.
- Fixed penalty notices can be issued for certain breaches with varying amounts based on previous offences.
- The guidance clarifies permissible exceptions to gathering restrictions and tier compliance rules.
- Different tiers carry different restrictions, requiring careful navigation of the regulations.
- Public interest factors must be considered when deciding on prosecutions.
Public-interest factors
- Serious public health implications due to COVID-19.
- High incidence of illness and death linked to breaches.
- Compliance supports community health and safety.
- Prosecutions reflect community expectations regarding health measures.
This is a factual digest of guidance published by the Crown Prosecution Service. Digested 2026-07-15. BlueLineHub is independent and not affiliated with the CPS.