Coronavirus (Scotland) Act 2020 and the Coronavirus (Scotland) (No.2) Act 2020 - proposed extension: statement of reasons

3. Rights and equality considerations

3.1 The Scottish Government has acknowledged in its two-monthly reporting on the Scottish Acts that some provisions have more significant impacts on rights and equality than others. As part of the assessment of continued necessity of the provisions beyond 31 March 2021, an assessment of the rights and equality impacts of extension has been undertaken.

3.2 Equality Impact Assessments (EQIA) and Child Rights and Wellbeing Impact Assessments (CRWIA) were undertaken for both of the Scottish Acts as part of the development of the Bills which were introduced to Parliament on 31 March and 11 May 2020, respectively. The human rights impacts were summarised in the Policy Memorandums for each of the Acts. For some provisions, there have been no significant changes since this time and no additional rights or equality impacts are expected in the proposed extension of the provisions. Further information has been provided, where relevant and/or helpful, later in this Statement.

3.3 In setting out the proposals for the extension of the provisions under both Scottish Acts which are covered in this Statement, consideration was given to continued compliance with the European Convention on Human Rights ("ECHR") and other relevant rights.