Source · Select Committees · Justice Committee
Recommendation 19
19
A key lesson from the covid-19 pandemic is the importance of public communication of any...
Recommendation
A key lesson from the covid-19 pandemic is the importance of public communication of any new restrictions and criminal offences to delivering compliance and protecting public health. The Government should review how public health guidance and public Covid-19 and the criminal law 35 health regulations are communicated to the public in future pandemics, including via public announcements and gov.uk, to ensure that it is clear to the public what constitutes advice and what is legally required of them. This could be done as part of the study which we recommend the UKHSA undertakes. (Paragraph 46) The enforcement of covid-19 offences
Government Response
Not Addressed
HM Government
Not Addressed
We agree that good communication is essential to delivering compliance and protecting public health. Throughout the pandemic the Government has communicated what everyone should do to minimise the risk to themselves, their loved ones and the population as a whole. This has been underpinned by regulations that outline what individuals can and cannot do. The Government has sought to learn lessons on its communications approach. For example, we have had a continued dialogue with the National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC), engagement with local authorities, and scientific input to inform which measures are needed. We have also responded to feedback from the general public, businesses and Parliament where we were told at the beginning of the pandemic that greater clarity was needed on what people should and should not do. As part of this process, we reviewed guidance and Government communications and acted to both simplify it and make it more accessible. We have continued to develop this and have included clearer explanations of why people needed to follow the rules, to support individuals in making an informed decision to comply. As with other parts of the response to the pandemic, we will look to learn lessons on how we have communicated guidance and public health Regulations, in particular through the public inquiry into COVID-19, and will take this forward for planning for future pandemics.