Coronavirus: National restrictions on movement, gatherings and businesses (No.4 Regs)
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 It may omit detail or fall out of date.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 Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) (England) (No.4) Regulations 2020, effective from November 5, 2020. It details restrictions on movement, gatherings, and specific business operations in England to mitigate the spread of COVID-19. Prosecutors are advised to reference the legislation and be aware of the exceptions and enforcement measures outlined in the guidance.
Key points
- Regulations come into force on November 5, 2020.
- Prosecutors should refer to the legislation for detailed provisions.
- Various exceptions to restrictions are specified.
- Relevant persons have powers to enforce compliance.
- Offences include contravening restrictions and non-compliance with directions.
- Fixed penalty notices can be issued for breaches.
Public-interest factors
- Public health considerations due to COVID-19 spread.
- Severity of breaches considering potential illness or death.
- Prosecutions likely required in most cases for deterrence.
- Impact of breaches on community health and safety.
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.