Coronavirus Act 2020 (Chapter 7).

This Act introduces various rules and measures to enable the UK governments to respond to an emergency situation and manage the effects of a Covid-19 pandemic. It contains temporary measures designed to either amend existing legislative provisions or introduce new rules designed to mitigate the impact of the disease on society. The purpose of the Act is to enable the right people from public bodies across the UK to take appropriate actions at the right times to manage the effects of the outbreak.
The Act, among other things, under Artt. 25 to 29 and Schedule 15, makes provision with respect to food supply. The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) holds UK Government Departmental responsibility for food as a Critical National Infrastructure sector jointly with the Food Standards Agency (FSA), with Defra being responsible for supply and the FSA responsible for safety. This includes planning for and responding to disruptions to food and drink supply chains, working closely with the food industry. The term ‘closely connected’ with a food supply chain is intended to capture suppliers who provide critical dependencies (or inputs) into the food supply chain (i.e. not directly supplying food). This may include those who supply seeds, fertiliser, chemicals, stock, equipment or similar items for use in agriculture, fishing or aquaculture; and those who provide goods or services either to producers or further up the supply chain which relate to the safety or quality of food or drink or the welfare of animals. The Government response to food supply disruption relies on information being provided to Defra and the Devolved Administrations by industry on a voluntary basis during the disruption. As part of our response to the Covid-19 scenario, the Government has agreed a Data Sharing Protocol with food retailers to regularly gather information on a voluntary basis. The Food Chain Emergency Liaison Group (FCELG) will also be convened on a more regular basis as a response to Covid-19. The Act provides the (defined) appropriate authority in England and Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland with the power to require information from persons within, or closely connected to, a food supply chain in certain specified circumstances. The required information must relate to that person’s activities within that food supply chain. Information is required in order to ensure Government has the necessary information to build a clear understanding of the situation, make informed judgements and respond effectively. There are penalties for failing to comply with a requirement to provide information or for providing information which is false or misleading. 'Food chain' is defined as 'as supplying individuals with food or drink for personal consumption which have been produced to any extent through agriculture, fishing or aquaculture'.
Art 50 and Schedule 20 confer powers to the Secretary of State to require the operator of a port to suspend port operations when the (a) there is a real and significant risk that, as a direct or indirect result of the incidence or transmission of coronavirus, there are or will be insufficient border force officers to maintain adequate border security, and (b) the Secretary of State has taken such other measures as are reasonably practicable to mitigate that risk. Moreover, the Secretary of the State has power to give consequential direction outlining arrangements, or steps to be taken after suspension of operations. Schedule 20 continues establishing the duration of the suspension, notice requirements and provides definitions on vessels and operations.
Art. 81 and Schedule 29 make provisions about notice periods in relation to possession proceedings in respect of certain residential tenancies etc. In particular, Schedule 29 makes temporary amendments to the Rent Act 1977 to what concern Section 3 (validity of notice to quit for protected tenancies) and Section 5 (terms and conditions of statutory tenancies); to the Housing Act 1985 Section 83 and 83 ZA (proceedings for possession etc. of a dwelling-house let under a secure tenancy: general notice requirements, and notice requirements in relation to proceedings for possession on absolute ground for anti-social behaviour), Section 107D (recovery of possession on expiry of flexible tenancy); to the Housing Act 1988, Section 8 (notice of proceedings for possession: assured tenancies) and Section 21 (recovery of possession on expiry or termination of assured shorthold tenancy); to the Housing Act 1996, Section 128 (notice of proceedings for possession of a dwelling-house let under an introductory tenancy) and Section 143E (notice of proceedings for possession of a dwelling-house let under a demoted tenancy). Further to this, Schedule 29 identifies consequential modifications to the implementing Regulations (Secure Tenancies (Notices) Regulations 1987 (S.I. 1987/755), Assured Tenancies and Agricultural Occupancies (Forms) Regulations 1997 (S.I. 1997/194), Assured Tenancies and Agricultural Occupancies (Forms) (England) Regulations 2015 (S.I. 2015/620).
Art. 82 (England and Wales) and 83 (North Ireland) establish that the right of re-entry or forfeiture, under a relevant business tenancy, for non-payment of rent may not be enforced, by action or otherwise, during the relevant period and also further provisions that ensure protection from forfeiture of business tenancies.