A 5-step plan for imposing local lockdowns in the case of coronavirus case spikes has been announced. After the approach to tackle the current pandemic shifts from a national to a local focus, Boris Johnson said the new 5-step plan will include; monitoring, engagement, testing, targeted restrictions and as a last resort local lockdown.
The government recently published new rules for Leicestershire which was the first UK city to be put under local lockdown, including fines for people who do not follow the rules and all non-essential businesses and shops closing.
The government’s approach for controlling future local outbreaks has five principal components described below:
- Monitoring:Public Health England, working with the Joint Biosecurity Centre, will examine carefully data on the spread of the disease and people’s behaviour across the country.
- Engagement:If monitoring identifies local problems, NHS Test and Trace and PHE will work with the relevant local authority to develop a deeper understanding of the problem and identify solutions.
- Testing:Scaled-up testing at a local level, combined with contract tracing through NHS Test and Trace, can control the virus and thus avoid more stringent measures.
- Targeted restrictions:If the virus continues to spread, we will restrict access to places which become hotspots for the virus, while testing people who have spent time in those places, and tracing the contacts of anyone who tests positive.
- Lockdown:If the previous measures have not proven to be enough, we will introduce local lockdowns extending across whole communities. Local lockdowns will be carefully calibrated depending on the scientific and specific circumstances of each outbreak and we are continually exploring smarter means of containing the virus.
Full details of the speech can be found here.
Commenting on the government’s five-step plan for imposing local lockdowns in the case of coronavirus spikes, BCC Co-Executive Director Hannah Essex said:
“Businesses will welcome the announcement of a considered approach to local lockdowns, which could pose further challenges for operational and consumer confidence in the weeks and months ahead.
“Where local lockdowns unfortunately do become necessary, firms will need greater clarity and support to help them survive further disruption.
“Transparent statistical triggers, timing and a clear exit strategy developed with input from local experts including Chambers of Commerce will help businesses plan ahead. Targeted government support should be offered to the hardest hit firms forced to close through no fault of their own.”
For further support and guidance please visit our Coronavirus Business Support Hub.