Kate, becoming increasingly difficult to know what is law and what is guidance.

I looked on the legislation.gov.uk site and found something about Coronavirus coming into force on 28 September, but not what you refer to (though I did find the web guidance you mentioned!)

If law rather than guidance, I think it will be within the nation specific Regulations, so in England:

The Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) (England) (No X) Regulations 2020 where X is more than 3

OR

The Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) (England) (No Y) (Amendment) (No Z) Regulations 2020

Don't ask me to guess what Y and X might equal!

They are writing Statutory Instruments almost like confetti and it might be that these latest changes announced in Westminster have yet to be published on the legislation website. Possibly due to 40 day period usually given to Parliamentarians to object to secondary legislation, but much of the Covid stuff has been done under emergency powers where the usual 40 days don't apply.

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/working-safely-during-coronavirus-covid-19

In the Civil service we developed a type of telepathy which enabled us to know what politicians where thinking about. The politicians themselves had no idea what they were thinking about; all they did was react to shiny things passing in front of them.  

You mean this bit? 

"In accordance with section 45R of that Act the Secretary of State is of the opinion that, by reason of urgency, it is necessary to make this instrument without a draft having been laid before, and approved by a resolution of, each House of Parliament"

Hardly surprising that some MPs are becoming vocal about being left out of the legislative process.

I understand the need to pass legislation quickly, but in this case the timing is absurd.

Yes Kate, but what that bit actually says is a little deceptive as Statutory Instruments do not usually get "approved by a resolution" by the Houses; more a case of not getting disapproval.

https://www.parliament.uk/site-information/glossary/negative-procedure/

So, usually the SI would be laid before the Houses and if Parliamentarians do not jump up and down, the SI comes into force (at least) 40 days later.

As example CDM 2015:

Right at the front of the Regulations  it says:

"Made 22nd January 2015

Laid before Parliament 29th January 2015

Coming into force 6th April 2015"

Giving each House over 40 days to make a fuss.

...and at the back of CDM before the Schedules it tells you who signed the Regulations:

"Signed by authority of the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions

                                                                                             Freud

                                                                                             Parliamentary Under Secretary of State

                                                                                             Department of Work and Pensions

22nd January 2015"

"2.—(1) This regulation applies where an adult is notified, other than by means of the NHS Covid 19 smartphone app developed and operated by the Secretary of State, by a person specified in paragraph (4) that—"

Are there different rules for self-isolation if you've been notified through the app, rather than any other way?

"(ii)had close contact after 28th September 2020 with someone who has tested positive for coronavirus"

What's people's definition of "close contact"? Less than 2 metres? Same room? Same building?

Disobeying an app notification to self-isolate is not a criminal offence because

(a) they don't want to deter people from using the app 

(b) the personal data and notifications in the app are private so you can't prove someone has received such a notification and hence there is no prospect of enforcing it

Says it all really "..developed and operated by the secretary of state.."

One thing did catch my attention in the Police debate - if their "business" mobile phones should not download the app because they do not have BlueTooth enabled how do they receive hands free calls when driving?

Originally Posted by: Kate

I now have a mental image of the hapless Secretary of State sitting at a computer developing and operating an app.

Thankyou ... I think ...

I can see him agonising over the colour : it must be nice and soothing and pretty…

And was the nice compliant one that Boris and co wanted for the Speakers job!