Five things you really ought to know about the Coronavirus Bill

The government's emergency legislation makes it easier for ministers to close the borders, and gives police officers the power to force people to take tests.

By George Grylls

LONDON, ENGLAND - MARCH 16: Prime Minister Boris Johnson gives a press conference on the ongoing situation with the coronavirus pandemic with chief medical officer Chris Whitty and Chief scientific officer Sir Patrick Vallance in Downing Street after he had taken part in the government's COBRA meeting on March 16, 2020 in London England. (Photo by Richard Pohle - WPA Pool/Getty Images)

The government is rushing through a wide-ranging bill that gives it enhanced powers to battle the coronavirus outbreak. This has grave implications for democratic accountability, and some are now arguing for the formation of a government of national unity.

Besides the measures that make it easier for doctors to register deaths and to allow the government to force retailers to share data on food supply, here are five details from the bill that you really ought to know about: