Coronavirus restrictions
A collection of briefings on national and local coronavirus restrictions and regulations.
Explore the latest coronavirus research
Find quick-read articles and longer briefings on the Government’s response to the coronavirus and its impact on key sectors such as housing, employment, welfare, police powers, the economy and more.
For the latest information on how UK Parliament is reacting to the spread of the coronavirus visit the Parliament website.
Research series
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Covid-19 vaccination
Research from the Commons Library and POST on Covid-19 vaccines and the UK vaccination programme.
Employment rights and the workplace
Research covering employment rights and the workplace during the coronavirus pandemic
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FAQs: Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme
This Commons Library briefing paper provides answers to frequently asked questions on the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme. It covers the rules that apply from 1 November 2020. It also contains a discussion of excluded workers and furlough fraud.
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Coronavirus: Returning to work
This paper provides an overview of the rules surrounding COVID-19 and returning to work. It discusses the lockdown legislation, employer's health and safety obligations and when workers can refuse to go to work.
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Coronavirus: Impact on the labour market
This paper tracks the evolving impact of the coronavirus outbreak on the labour market.
Health and social care
Research and analysis about health and social care during the coronavirus outbreak
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Coronavirus: Testing for Covid-19
This Commons Library briefing paper provides an overview of testing for Covid-19 in England. It covers the different types of test that are in use and in development, as well as testing capacity, the criteria for being tested, and the presentation of testing data.
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Coronavirus: health and social care key issues and sources
This Commons Library briefing paper provides an overview of key issues facing the NHS and social care services during the coronavirus (Covid-19) outbreak, and links to official UK and international guidance and data. It also lists other reliable sources of information in the health and social care sector, including comment from organisations representing patients, staff and service providers. This briefing paper was last updated on 13 July 2020.
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Coronavirus: Ventilator availability in the UK
This briefing paper provides an account of ventilator availability and procurement in the UK, a summary of government action, and a discussion of other issues associated with ventilator use.
Welfare and support schemes
Research exploring the measures introduced to support households and individuals throughout the pandemic
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Coronavirus: Withdrawing crisis social security measures
This Commons Library Briefing Paper outlines the social security changes made by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), and other Government departments, in response to the coronavirus crisis, as well as expectations for their withdrawal and plans for the economic recovery.
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Coronavirus: Self-Employment Income Support Scheme
To support the self-employed through the coronavirus outbreak the Government has introduced the Self-Employment Income Support Scheme (SEISS).
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Coronavirus: Support for landlords and tenants
This briefing paper explains measures taken by the Government during the coronavirus outbreak to assist households in the rented sector to retain their homes. The paper covers the introduction of extended notice periods and restrictions on the enforcement of court orders. The ban on enforcing eviction orders in England is due to expire on 31 May 2021. There are widespread calls for more assistance for landlords and tenants in response to the economic pressures they face due to the pandemic.
Economy and business
Economic updates and research around schemes to support businesses during the coronavirus pandemic
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Coronavirus business support schemes: Statistics
This paper collates data on the number of applications and total support provided under the UK Government coronavirus business support schemes. The attached excel spreadsheet allows users to view data by Parliamentary constituency and local authority.
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Coronavirus: Business interruption insurance
An overview of how business interruption insurance policies have been interpreted in the context of the coronavirus pandemic.
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Coronavirus: New business grant schemes explained
This Insight sets out the guidance for four new grant schemes for businesses in England announced by the UK Government.
Home affairs
Analysis and research on how emergency powers may affect areas such as policing, prisons, funerals and access to domestic abuse services during the coronavirus pandemic
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Coronavirus: the lockdown laws
This Library briefing paper explains the types of coronavirus restrictions and requirements imposed by the UK's lockdown laws.
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Coronavirus: Prisons (England and Wales)
On 27 April 2020 the Justice Secretary said that the numbers of coronavirus cases and deaths in prisons were lower than had been originally predicted and that prisons were coping and dealing well with the threat of covid-19.
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Coronavirus: Domestic abuse
In an address to the nation on 23 March 2020 the Prime Minister gave the British people what he described as “a very simple instruction”: to stay at home. This instruction has now been backed up by legal regulations. But what if home is not a safe place? This Insight looks at what the new regulations say about staying at home, and how they, alongside coronavirus more generally, could
Education, childcare and families
Research exploring the impact on childcare and education as a result of the coronavirus outbreak
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Coronavirus and schools: FAQs
This briefing paper looks at the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on schools and pupils. It largely focuses on England, and has been updated following the Prime Minister's February 2021 announcement of the wider reopening of schools in England from 8 March 2021.
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Coronavirus: Easing lockdown restrictions in FE and HE in England
This House of Commons briefing paper discusses the impact of easing lockdown restriction on the FE and HE sectors in England. The paper outlines issues such as: re-opening campuses, prospective students numbers in 2020/21, temporary students numbers controls, delivery of courses in 2020/21 and the Higher Education Restructuring Regime. It also highlights issues such as the impact on graduate employability and catch up funding for FE colleges.
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Coronavirus: Separated Families and Contact with Children in Care FAQs (UK)
This paper provides brief information in response to some key questions regarding the impact of the Coronavirus outbreak on separated families, maintenance arrangements and access to children.
Parliament, government and elections
Research and analysis explaining parliamentary consent, the Coronavirus Bill, and how the pandemic may impact elections
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Renewing parts of the Coronavirus Act, new public health regulations and parliamentary proceedings
There will be a debate in the Commons Chamber on 25 March on four motions on coronavirus legislation and parliamentary proceedings during the pandemic.
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The coronavirus timeline: Measures taken by the House of Commons
The coronavirus timeline sets out the Commons’ response to the pandemic, including key ‘lock down’ dates and changes to the way parliamentarians worked. It includes links to the relevant debates in Hansard, Speaker’s Statements, Procedure Committee reports, the ‘Members’ Guide to hybrid proceedings’ and correspondence on proceedings during the pandemic.
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Coronavirus: Parliamentary consent for the lockdown in England
This insight explains why MPs are now considering a motion to approve the legislation that underpins the current lockdown in England.
Around the world
Analysis on the response to the coronavirus from across the world
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Coronavirus: Mounting debt crisis for the world’s poorest countries
The economic consequences of the coronavirus pandemic are already severe. This Insight looks at the mounting debt crisis being experienced by the world’s poorest countries.
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Coronavirus in developing countries: Mapping national policy responses
This Insight maps the main trends in coronavirus policy to date among developing countries.
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Coronavirus: Access to vaccines in developing countries
The challenge to secure enough vaccines for the world’s poorest and most vulnerable people.
Coronavirus research from the Parliamentary Office of Science and Technology (POST)
Find the latest reporting on the Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (SAGE) papers and Covid-19 vaccines
Coronavirus research from the Lords Library
Find briefings and blogs produced to support the work of the House of Lords in scrutinising and debating the Government’s response to coronavirus.
