‘Battle plan’ focuses on hygiene, working from home and employing ex-health staff

AN emergency battle plan reacting to any further spread of coronavirus has been drawn up by the Government.

Every department will have a ministerial lead to oversee the response to Covid-19 while an enhanced public information campaign is due to be rolled out in the coming week.

Health Secretary Matt Hancock (right) said the UK is currently in the “containment” phase of the outbreak.

The Department of Health and Social Care said a “war room” will be established in the Cabinet Office, featuring a cross-Whitehall team of communications experts.

A new campaign will be unveiled featuring posters and social media adverts to reinforce the importance of hand-washing for 20 seconds or more with water and soap in order to prevent the spread of the virus.

It comes as the Prime Minister prepares to chair the Government’s Cobra contingencies committee on the coronavirus outbreak today.

Boris Johnson said that the virus “may very well be a challenge” in the coming weeks, adding: “But I have no doubt that with the help of the NHS and its incomparable staff this country will get through it — and beat it.”

Should the spread of coronavirus escalate into a pandemic, “broader measures” will be considered to keep the public safe and ensure the NHS can handle the added strain.

Plans include emergency registration of health professionals who have retired, as well as relaxing rules around school class sizes in case teachers are off ill or forced to self-isolate.

Ministers are also considering whether to recommend more employees work from home and discourage “unnecessary travel”.

The so-called “social distancing” approach is part of a strategy designed to delay the peak of the outbreak until later in the year.

This would potentially help to combat the virus, as it will spread less easily in warmer conditions.

The plan, due to be issued across all four nations of the UK, is based on the Government’s existing contingency plans for responding to a pandemic flu outbreak, but adapted for Covid-19.