[3] The Act, originally enacted to address public health concerns, has been a critical tool in managing infectious diseases such as tuberculosis in the UK.

Over the years, it has undergone several amendments to adapt to evolving public health needs and legal standards.

One of the key provisions of the Act allows for the detention of individuals with tuberculosis to prevent the spread of the disease, a measure that has sparked significant debate.

[4][5][6][7] This Act was used as the legal basis for the regulations that put into force the stay at home order announced by Boris Johnson on 23 March 2020 in response to the COVID-19 pandemic,[8] the Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) (England) Regulations 2020.

[9] The Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) (England) Regulations 2020 Statutory Instrument 350/2020 later gave legal force to some of the 'lockdown' rules that had been announced.