Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if his Department will exempt the practice of peaceful protest from covid-19 lockdown restrictions.

The Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) (England) (No. 4) Regulations 2020 place necessary and proportionate restrictions on movement, gatherings and businesses. They do not restrict anyone’s right to hold or express their views, or to do so in a way that could be construed as a protest, provided these Regulations are adhered to. Similarly, picketing is permitted, provided the statutory restrictions and code of practice on picketing are followed, as well as the Coronavirus Regulations.