JOIN THE DEBATE ON THE ISSUES OF THE DAY WITH LETTERS

WATCHING the news regarding Covid spikes around the country, with potentially a second wave likely, local lockdowns are hardly surprising.

The inadequate provision of Covid tests and what appears to be inadequate systems is obviously making the situation critical and very worrying to us all.

We all know the Government locked down too late and came out of lockdown too early, basically to kickstart the economy.

A more staged easing of lockdown did not happen especially during the heatwave, with thousands of people travelling to beaches around the country and overseas holidays.

In my opinion what has gone wrong is that local authorities who have considerable knowledge of their areas were not given total control. Everything has been centralised from Westminster. Local authorities should and still can set up working groups including representatives from the NHS, the police, private care sector, universities and colleges. Other feeder groups would be community groups and the voluntary sector to provide information and give advice to the leading group.

The role of this group would be in the key area in providing tests at specified centres including GP surgeries, the use of mobile units and the General Air Ambulance Service (not funded by the government) to deliver emergency supplies of tests where needed.

Other key areas for this group would be ensuring enforcement of rules for the public after these have been clearly and widely advertised, supporting the most vulnerable in our society including child care to enable parents to go to work, providing and sharing information to and with central government agencies and other local authorities.

Support between neighbouring authorities could include testing, and sharing of information and outcomes.

An overall local Covid plan would be shared with the whole community, implemented, monitored and amended accordingly to situations prevailing. Due diligence would be essential throughout the processes to meet the desired outcome of containing Covid and helping to eliminate this and ensuring no spikes.

Any such structure would be in place and improved for any future pandemics, and audited and scrutinised to meet the health and safety of everyone and support the economy.

David Bonomi Bristol