Boris Johnson urged to adopt ‘zero-Covid’ strategy to provide 'clarity and reassurance'

Boris Johnson has been urged to commit to a "zero-Covid" approach across England by a group of MPs and peers.

In a letter to the Prime Minister, the All-Party Parliamentary Group on coronavirus called on the Government to maintain compulsory social distancing measures across the country until zero-Covid is achieved.

The MPs said working from home should be actively encouraged and Covid-19 screening should be introduced at transport hubs, shopping centres and supermarkets, in order to meet the goal.

The zero-Covid measure would “provide clarity and reassurance” to the public, said the group of politicians.

It follows an inquiry into the Government’s response to the pandemic by the group, who have warned of the risk of a second wave of the virus in winter.

As well as calling for a “zero-Covid” approach, the group recommends that ministers set a target to reduce the number of new cases seen in England over a seven day rolling average to no more than one new case per million population per day.

Measures proposed to help meet the target include accelerating the development of a “locally lead and locally coordinated, but nationally supported” Find, Test, Trace, Isolate and Support (FTTIS) programme in England.

The group also suggests devolving public health outbreak control efforts in responding to local flair-ups, as well as reinstating daily coronavirus briefings – which were ended in June.

Introducing enforceable post-travel requirements such as a negative Covid-19 test within 72 hours of arrival and screening on all UK entry points combined with quarantine at a regulated locations, has also been suggested by the group.

Group chairwoman, Liberal Democrat MP Layla Moran, said that the Prime Minister must now “get a grip”.

She said: “The Government has failed abysmally to put a clear strategy in place to eliminate coronavirus from the UK.

“This lack of clarity has left the public confused and our NHS and care staff flying blind. The Prime Minister must get a grip and introduce a comprehensive plan to control this deadly pandemic before this winter.

“We urgently need an effective communications strategy with clear messaging to the public, including by immediately reinstating daily press conferences.

“This must be accompanied by a fully functioning Find, Test, Trace, Isolate and Support (FTTIS) system and ensuring local authorities have the power and resources to contain local outbreaks.”

It comes after a further 1,182 new coronavirus cases were confirmed on Thursday, the second highest number of Covid-19 infections in the UK for two months.

Daily Government coronavirus data reveals that the new infections reported on Thursday were only topped by figures on August 14 - when 1,441 people were infected - over a period stretching back to June 21, when 1,221 cases were reported.

Additional reporting by PA Media.

Read more

Croatia 'to go on quarantine list' amid UK herd immunity claims- LIVE

Rapid home testing Covid kits could be available in weeks

Local contact tracers reach nearly 98% of people with coronavirus

33-year-old with no underlying conditions among new Covid-19 deaths