Responding to the Prime Minister’s announcement today of a new
Contain Framework for councils’ local lockdown powers, Cllr James
Jamieson, Chairman of the Local Government Association, said:
“Locally-led responses have proven to be the best way to tackle
significant outbreaks, which this framework rightly emphasises.
Councils know their local communities best and know how to
address each unique outbreak. It is good that this framework also
acknowledges the tireless efforts of councils already to try and
contain and prevent local outbreaks.
“Greater powers for councils to take swift and effective action
to address local outbreaks will hopefully help avoid the need for
more stringent measures to be imposed locally.
“Managing local COVID-19 outbreaks will always need to build on
the consent of local communities and an effective system of
tracing and testing. The use of enforcement powers should be an
option of last resort where individuals or organisations are
unable, unwilling or opposed to taking actions that reduce the
spread of this virus.
“Data flow to councils has improved, including the introduction
of daily updates. Further improvements to this, including
granular-level data, to councils are still needed so they are
better able to act in real time to increases in infection rates
and help prevent the spread of further infection. This would help
councils be even more prepared ahead of any possible deadly
second wave of COVID-19.”