143-906: In response to the COVID-19 pandemic in the United Kingdom , the UK Government introduced various public health and economic measures to mitigate its impact. Devolution meant that the four nations' administrative responses to the pandemic differed; the Scottish Government , the Welsh Government , and the Northern Ireland Executive produced different policies to those that apply in England. Numerous laws were enacted or introduced throughout
286-517: A new variant that originated in the UK becoming dominant, began in the autumn and peaked in mid-January 2021, and was deadlier than the first. The UK started a COVID-19 vaccination programme in early December 2020. Generalised restrictions were gradually lifted and were mostly ended by August 2021. A third wave, fuelled by the new Delta variant , began in July 2021, but the rate of deaths and hospitalisations
429-593: A novel coronavirus was the cause of a respiratory illness in a cluster of people in Wuhan City, Hubei , China, which was reported to the WHO on 31 December 2019. The case fatality ratio for COVID-19 has been much lower than SARS of 2003 , but the transmission has been significantly greater, with a significant total death toll. Scientists used statistical analysis of data from genetic sequencing, combined with epidemiological and estimated travel data, to estimate
572-533: A Liverpool match of the UEFA Champions League knockout phase are particularly thought to have increased the virus' spread. As many event organisers themselves began cancelling events, reports emerged on 13 March that the government would introduce a ban on large gatherings the following week. On 16 March, the British government started holding daily press briefings. The briefings were to be held by
715-400: A day earlier that it could become compulsory to wear them in shops. In August, Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon advocated for the rest of the UK to adopt the zero-COVID approach that Scotland and Northern Ireland were both pursuing. On 9 September 2020, the British government announced the banning of social gatherings of more than six people, described as the "rule of six", which
858-606: A five-stage plan for exiting lockdown on 12 May, but unlike the plans announced in England the plans did not include any dates of when steps may be taken. An announcement was made on 14 May that garden centres and recycling centres would reopen on Monday in the first steps taken to end the lockdown in Northern Ireland. On 15 May, Mark Drakeford announced a traffic light plan to remove the lockdown restrictions in Wales, which would start no earlier than 29 May. On 20 June 2020,
1001-672: A further increase in cases that surpassed previous records, although the true number of infections was thought to be higher. It became mandatory for people to show proof of full vaccination or proof that they are not infected to enter certain indoor hospitality and entertainment venues. On 9 January 2022, the UK became the seventh country worldwide to pass 150,000 reported COVID-19 deaths. All remaining legally enforced COVID-19 related restrictions concluded in Northern Ireland and England during February 2022, with that step being taken in Scotland (partially extended into April) and Wales by
1144-519: A group of cross-party MPs wrote a letter to the government, urging them to consider a four-day working week for the UK after the pandemic. While nationwide lockdown measures were gradually relaxed throughout the summer, including a shift towards regional measures such as those instituted in Northern England in July, lockdown easing plans were delayed at the end of July due to rises in case numbers, and measures were increased once more following
1287-506: A hospital appointment, and 37% of older people felt less confident going to a GP surgery. Research by The Sunday Times reported that in 2021, the proportion of private school pupils receiving A*, a mark for exceptional achievement, was 39.5 per cent, rising from 16.1 per cent in 2019. The highest record in terms of increase came from the North London Collegiate School , where senior fees could surpass £21,000
1430-714: A lack of resources, with Sally Davies , the Chief Medical Officer at the time, stating that a lack of medical ventilators and the logistics of disposal of dead bodies were serious issues. The full results of the exercise remained classified up till 23 October 2020 following public inquiry and pressure. In November 2020, the United Kingdom government stated that all identified lessons have been discussed accordingly and appropriately taken into account for its pandemic preparedness plans. The Daily Telegraph reported in March 2020 one government source as saying that
1573-484: A lack of ventilators being previously identified in Exercise Cygnus, there was a shortage of them during COVID-19 with the government stockpiles proving to be insufficient. In March 2020, six weeks following the first case of coronavirus in the United Kingdom, Matt Hancock , acting Health Secretary of the United Kingdom, turned to a range of corporations such as JCB and Rolls-Royce , stating, "If you produce
SECTION 10
#17327906104481716-451: A large pandemic. Investigation also showed that the reverse triage strategy proposed by the NHS , whereby patients are moved from hospitals to social care, may not be well supported by the current social care system. This requires a high level of teamwork across several corporations, which was detailed through a provided framework but may not be viable under the pressure and widespread impact of
1859-434: A local level, implicating the revision of the "Pandemic Concept of Operations". Little tactical coordination was observed when the need for services outweighed the capacity of local responders, particularly in communities with excess death, social care facilities and amongst National Health Service staff. The need for more precise protocols was identified to guide health care providers at an operational level should there be
2002-746: A member of the UK government's Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (SAGE), was still advocating a "herd immunity" strategy. There was a letter published in The Lancet on 17 March calling on the government to openly share its data and models as a matter of urgency. Public Health England has also been involved with efforts to support the British Overseas Territories against the outbreak. Large sporting and cultural events took place into mid-March, with Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden and Jonathan Van-Tam dismissing calls to ban them in early that month. Cheltenham Festival and
2145-466: A national, coordinated response remains" and added, "this is being met by the government's COVID-19 response". This meant cases of COVID-19 are no longer managed by HCID treatment centres only. An editorial in The BMJ questioned this decision, suggesting this was to permit healthcare staff to use "a lower level" of personal protective equipment for treating patients. The slogan "Stay Home, Protect
2288-434: A need to drastically step up local response. A suggestion was to implement planning at a regional level as opposed to through local resilience forums for crucial aspects of pandemic influenza response (e.g., excess death). This improves coordination across multiple agencies locally. Logistically, more health workers and resources such as ventilators, personal protective equipment (PPE) and hospital beds are required to face
2431-479: A pandemic will further aid the trajectory of emergency strategies and how they can be communicated. In 2019, the Moral and Ethical Advisory Group (MEAG) was established to give unbiased guidance to government regarding controversial health issues. A lack of resources and limited ability to increase supply in face of demand was identified in health disciplines. This affects how emergency plans can be operationalised at
2574-449: A pandemic. Local resilience forums have announced that they depend on subject matter experts for more complicated aspects of pandemic response to implement responses. These professionals do not belong to LRF but give detailed technical support to enable colleagues to comprehend different elements of the response. The Strategic Coordinating Group (SRG) structure is used by experts for holistic contribution. Doubts were raised if this method
2717-555: A pandemic. NHS England recognises that a variety of sectors are implicated, hence a central administration and unified protocol to oversee the whole strategy is required for organisations to work synonymously. Devolved administrations have separate contingency plans which were not investigated during Exercise Cygnus. In this segment, Wales was also excluded as it had previously investigated its response through "Exercise Cygnet" conducted in 2015. The proposition to roll back on legislation and regulatory restrictions, particularly within
2860-626: A plan for dealing with the pandemic's effects on the economy. The government published the Health Protection (Coronavirus) Regulations 2020 on 10 February 2020, a statutory instrument covering the legal framework behind the government's initial containment and isolation strategies and its organisation of the national reaction to the virus for England. Other published regulations include changes to Statutory sick pay (into force on 13 March), and changes to Employment and Support Allowance and Universal Credit (also 13 March). On 19 March,
3003-563: A significant impact on people's mental health—with particular damage to the mental health of foreign-born men whose work hours have been reduced/eliminated. The pandemic has had far-reaching consequences in the country that go beyond the spread of the disease itself and efforts to quarantine it, including political, cultural, and social implications. Sophie Grégoire Trudeau , the wife of Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau , tested positive for COVID-19 upon her return from WE Day events in
SECTION 20
#17327906104483146-469: A similar measure in terms on exercise as Wales, to go live on the same day. The Scottish government generally pursued a slower lifting of lockdown measures than the rest of the UK over the following months. Johnson made a second televised address on 10 May, changing the slogan from "Stay at Home" to "Stay Alert". "Stay Home" was reported as being at the core of the government's communications until being phased out around this time. The full "Stay Alert, Control
3289-465: A small screen in the press conference room. The British government briefing did not have an interpreter in the room or on a screen leading to a Twitter campaign about the issue. The government reached an agreement to have the press conferences signed on the BBC News Channel and on iPlayer in response to the campaign. In response to this a petition was created by Sylvia Simmonds that required
3432-472: A strategy which depends upon four tactical aims: the first one is to contain; the second of these is to delay; the third of these is to do the science and the research; and the fourth is to mitigate so we can brace the NHS". These aims equate to four phases; specific actions involved in each of these phases are: The four CMOs of the home nations raised the UK's risk level from low to moderate on 30 January 2020, upon
3575-707: A surge in COVID-19 cases and the Alpha variant . A COVID-19 vaccination programme began in December 2020. In mid-2021, the government lifted most restrictions during the third wave driven by the Delta variant , until the "winter plan" reintroduced some rules in response to the Omicron variant in December that year. Remaining restrictions were lifted in England from 24 February 2022 under a " living with COVID " plan announced by
3718-546: A system, it has never actually been implemented. Backer Toby Harris said the government had not yet agreed upon who would fund and govern such a system. The Daily Telegraph reported that ministers had discussed but been divided on banning international arrivals from countries most affected by COVID-19 (particularly Iran , the United States ) altogether in March 2020. In early 2021, Home Secretary Priti Patel said that she had advocated for UK borders to be closed at
3861-718: A ventilator, we will buy it. No number [you produce] is too high". Results of Exercise Cygnus were leaked to The Guardian newspaper in May 2020. A complete version was later released in October 2020 by the Department of Health and Social Care . Four main areas of improvement as well as 22 other weaknesses were identified. During Exercise Cygnus, the strategy used was a combination of Department of Health and Social Care 's UK Influenza Pandemic Preparedness Strategy 2011, as well as eight or more other scientific documents gleaned from
4004-570: A year and the proportion of A* grades rose from 33.8 per cent in 2019 to 90.2 per cent in the summer of 2021. At 25 schools, the number of A* grades trebled or even quadrupled. These and other findings led MPs to call for an inquiry into the "manipulation" of the exam system during the COVID-19 crisis. The pandemic was widely disruptive to the economy of the United Kingdom, with most sectors and workforces adversely affected. Some temporary shutdowns became permanent; some people who were furloughed were later made redundant. The economic disruption has had
4147-622: A yellow background, with a red and yellow tape border. The government commissioned and broadcast millions of radio, television, newspaper and social media adverts. These were often accompanied by photographs of healthcare workers wearing personal protective equipment , including face masks. On 23 March, a 20,000-strong military task force, named the COVID Support Force , was launched to provide support to public services and civilian authorities. Two military operations — Operation Rescript and Operation Broadshare — commenced to address
4290-482: Is associated with 232,112 deaths. The virus began circulating in the country in early 2020, arriving primarily from travel elsewhere in Europe. Various sectors responded , with more widespread public health measures incrementally introduced from March 2020. The first wave was at the time one of the world's largest outbreaks. By mid-April the peak had been passed and restrictions were gradually eased. A second wave, with
4433-669: Is based on scientific advice. In April, the Scottish government published plans to pursue a zero-COVID "elimination" strategy, in contrast with the rest of the UK, and expanded a "test, trace, isolate support" system. In early May, research was published which concluded that if the most vulnerable (the elderly and those with certain underlying illnesses) were completely shielded , the lockdown could mostly be lifted, avoiding "a huge economic, social and health cost", without significantly increasing severe infections and deaths. It also recommended regular testing and contact tracing . On 8 May
British government response to the COVID-19 pandemic - Misplaced Pages Continue
4576-410: Is determined by pandemic influenza planning assumptions. Previous findings from Department of Health and Social Care provide direction as to what type of corrections are appropriate for health legislation in the midst of a pandemic. Devolved administrations were advised to adopt similar measures in fields of devolved competence. The need for future work to expand on the types of restrictions affected
4719-483: Is medically rational to the point of doing real and unnecessary economic damage". On 11 February, a "senior member of the government" told the ITV journalist Robert Peston that "If there is a pandemic, the peak will be March, April, May" and, further, that "the risk is 60% of the population getting it. With a mortality rate of perhaps just over 1%, we are looking at not far off 500,000 deaths". On 8 March, Peston reported that
4862-492: Is really clear. If you don't want us to have to take the step to ban exercise of all forms outside of your own home then you've got to follow the rules and the vast majority of people are following the rules." In mid-April, a member of the Cabinet told The Telegraph that there was no exit plan yet. Several members of the British government stated that it was not possible to draw up a definitive plan on how to exit lockdown as it
5005-501: Is that we prepare against a possible very significant expansion of coronavirus in the UK population". This came after the 39th case in the UK was confirmed and over a month after the first confirmed case in the UK. The same day, a BBC One programme Coronavirus: Everything You Need to Know addressed questions from the public on the outbreak. The following day, the Coronavirus Action Plan was unveiled. The next day, as
5148-471: Is the best way to compare outcomes between countries. The study found that, compared to other countries, the UK tended to attribute more deaths to COVID-19. A Cambridge University epidemiologist, Raghib Ali, said that the study would correct "widespread misconceptions" about the way the UK had handled the pandemic, and that there was "no clear relationship between levels of excess mortality and different levels of restrictions... across western Europe or indeed
5291-522: Is to "build up some kind of herd immunity so more people are immune to this disease and we reduce the transmission". This involves enough people getting infected, upon which they develop immunity to the disease. Vallance said 60% of the UK's population will need to become infected for herd immunity to be achieved. Another member of the UK government's Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (SAGE), Graham Medley , told BBC's Newsnight that: "We're going to have to generate what we call herd immunity ... and
5434-419: The COVID-19 pandemic , despite it being previously identified as a weakness through Exercise Cygnus. An explanation given was that Exercise Cygnus was based on a curable influenza, whereas treatment for COVID-19 is still unavailable. In November 2020, the Department of Health and Social Care website stated that findings from Exercise Cygnus, coupled with suggestions from scientific experts, have incorporated in
5577-647: The H1N1 pandemic in 2009. However, the exercise revealed that there was no overview or central management to coordinate all participants. As of October 2016, feedback showed that organisations varied in preparedness, with some relying on corporate memory of the 2009 H1N1 response, and others depending on individual pandemic protocols which may be outdated, missing or incomplete. There was also demonstration of silo planning between and within some corporations, however organisations had different levels of detail and structure that could not correspond well when used simultaneously. It
5720-490: The Health Protection (Coronavirus, Wearing of Face Coverings on Public Transport) (England) Regulations 2020 required travellers on public transport to wear a face covering. On 25 June 2020, the Corporate Insolvency and Governance Act 2020 was enacted to provide additional protections to companies in financial difficulty as a result of the impacts of the pandemic. The first published government statement on
5863-740: The WHO 's announcement of the disease as a Public Health Emergency of International Concern . As soon as cases appeared in the UK on 31 January 2020, a public health information campaign, similar to the previous " Catch it, Bin it, Kill it " campaign, was launched in the UK, to advise people how to lessen the risk of spreading the virus. Travellers from Hubei province in China, including the capital Wuhan, were advised to self-isolate, "stay at home, not go to work, school or public places, not use public transport or taxis; ask friends, family members or delivery services to do errands", and call NHS 111 if they had arrived in
British government response to the COVID-19 pandemic - Misplaced Pages Continue
6006-465: The population of the United Kingdom, about 16.8 million people, were subject to local lockdown measures with some 23% of people in England , 76% of people in Wales and 32% of people in Scotland being in local lockdown. On 12 October, Johnson unveiled a three-tier approach for England, in which local authorities were divided into different levels of restrictions. An article in The Lancet suggested
6149-586: The severe economic impact . It also forwent the procurement process in contracts in response to shortages of PPE and medical equipment , major issues in the early months of the outbreak, and for developing a contact tracing app . There has been some disparity between the outbreak's severity in England , Scotland , Wales and Northern Ireland – health-care in the UK is devolved , each constituent country having its own publicly-funded healthcare system run by devolved governments. The COVID-19 pandemic led to
6292-415: The 20th-highest death rate worldwide. Since early 2021 the UK has had one of the world's highest testing rates. In March 2022, The Lancet published a study showing that, compared to other western European countries, with 127 per 100,000 population, the UK had a lower excess deaths rate during the pandemic than the average, and lower than Italy (227), Portugal (202), Spain (187), Belgium (147), and
6435-746: The British CMOs advised all travellers (unwell or not) who had returned to the UK from Hubei province in the previous 14 days, Iran, specific areas designated by the Italian government as quarantine areas in northern Italy, and special care zones in South Korea since 19 February, to self-isolate and call NHS 111. This advice was also advocated for any person with flu-like symptoms and a history of travelling from Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar and areas in Italy north of Pisa, Florence and Rimini, returning to
6578-490: The COVID-19 situation in Wuhan was released on 22 January 2020 by the Department of Health and Social Care and Public Health England . Guidance has progressed in line with the number of cases detected and changes in where affected people have contracted the virus, as well as with what has been happening in other countries. In February, Chief Medical Officer (CMO) to the British government, Chris Whitty said "we basically have
6721-557: The Department of Health's confirmation that it held no further reports evidencing the findings of Exercise Cygnus, Dr Qureshi withdrew his legal action for Judicial Review. However, questions were later raised about whether the Government had disclosed all relevant material, and Dr Qureshi argued that the Department of Health continued to withhold a plan for surge capacity and "refusing NHS care to large numbers of sick patients" in
6864-604: The Deputy Chief Medical Officer for England Jenny Harries said that the government was "following the science" by not banning mass gatherings. She also said, on face masks, "If a healthcare professional hasn't advised you to wear a face mask... it's really not a good idea and doesn't help". She added that masks could "actually trap the virus in the mask and start breathing it in". On 13 March, British government Chief Scientific Adviser Patrick Vallance told BBC Radio 4 one of "the key things we need to do"
7007-537: The Exchequer Rishi Sunak . A public inquiry into the response was established in June 2022. The UK Influenza Pandemic Preparedness Strategy was published in 2011 and updated in 2014, alongside a review of the available medical and social countermeasures. Pandemic flu guidance was published in 2013 and updated in 2017, covering guidance for local planners, business sectors, and an ethical framework for
7150-478: The NHS, Save Lives" was first suggested internally in a government conference call on 19 March, days before they imposed a full national lockdown. The slogan was introduced concurrently with the national lockdown imposed on 23 March, ordering the public against undergoing non-essential travel and ordering many public amenities to close. Essential travel included food shopping, exercise, medical attention, and travelling for necessary work, which included those working in
7293-562: The Netherlands (140), that the difference between the UK, France (124), and Germany (121) was not statistically significant, and that Ireland (13) and the Scandinavian countries had a lower rate. The UK rate is marginally more than the world average of 120. The study was of excess mortality in 191 countries over the years 2020 and 2021 during the pandemic, the method that the chief medical officer of England , Chris Whitty , said
SECTION 50
#17327906104487436-600: The Omicron wave continued. Economic support was given to struggling businesses, including a furlough scheme for employees. As well as the major strain on the UK's healthcare service , the pandemic has had a severe impact on the UK's economy , caused major disruptions to education and had far-reaching impacts on society and politics . On 12 January 2020, the World Health Organization (WHO) confirmed that
7579-639: The Prime Minister or government ministers and advisers. The government had been accused of a lack of transparency over their plans to tackle the virus. Daily briefings were also held by the devolved administrations of Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales. The speakers at the daily press briefings were accompanied by sign language interpreters. British sign language is a recognised language in Scotland and Wales, with interpreters standing 2 metres behind Ministers. Northern Ireland's briefings had both British and Irish Sign Language interpreters who were shown on
7722-431: The UK after Johnson's address did not state which measures only applied to England. On 17 May, Labour leader Keir Starmer called for a 'four-nation' unified approach. Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham said that there was a risk of national unity in ignoring the different demands of regions in England. Boris Johnson acknowledged the frustrations in some of the rules and said that "complicated messages were needed during
7865-584: The UK and were given special permission to visit a dying parent. The women had entered the country on 7 June, after first flying into Doha and Brisbane . A 2021 study suggested that the SARS-CoV-2 Alpha variant , which was first detected in Kent , spread internationally via flights originating in London in late 2020. This article presents official statistics gathered during the COVID-19 pandemic in
8008-475: The UK in the previous 14 days, regardless of whether they were unwell or not. Further cases in early February prompted the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care , Matt Hancock , to announce the Health Protection (Coronavirus) Regulations 2020 . Daily updates have been published by the Department of Health and Social Care . NHS Digital in the meanwhile, have been collecting data. On 25 February 2020,
8151-500: The UK introduced advice for travellers coming from affected countries in late January and February 2020, and began contact tracing , although this was later abandoned. The government incrementally introduced further societal restrictions on the public as the virus spread across the country in the following weeks, initially resisting more stringent measures introduced elsewhere in Europe and Asia . Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced
8294-417: The UK since 19 February. Later, self-isolation was recommended for anyone returning from any part of Italy from 9 March. Initially, Prime Minister Boris Johnson largely kept Britain open, resisting the kind of lockdowns seen elsewhere in Europe. In a speech on 3 February, Johnson's main concern was that the "coronavirus will trigger a panic and a desire for market segregation that go beyond what
8437-437: The UK went into a third lockdown . The second wave peaked in mid-January with over 1,000 daily deaths, before declining into the summer. The first COVID-19 vaccine was approved and began being deployed across the UK in early December, with a staggered rollout prioritising the most vulnerable and then moving to progressively younger age groups. The UK was the first country to do so, and in early 2021 its vaccination program
8580-832: The UK; on 12 March 2020 the Trudeau family entered two weeks of self-isolation. The first patient in Mauritius was a 59-year-old man who returned from the United Kingdom on 7 March 2020. When he arrived in Mauritius, the Mauritian had no symptoms. Other cases of the novel coronavirus resulting from travel to the UK were subsequently reported in India and Nigeria. On 16 June 2020, it was widely reported in British media that New Zealand's first COVID-19 cases in 24 days were diagnosed in two British women, both of whom had travelled from
8723-676: The United Kingdom government, authorities and NHS without their influence. In Exercise Cygnus, the Emergency Response Department was specifically employed within PHE. Its specialists assisted the health community by providing training and expert advice with regards to emergencies. It collaborated with several organisations such as the European Commission , European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control and World Health Organization . Dame Sally Davies
SECTION 60
#17327906104488866-633: The United Kingdom health system and emergency response chain by putting it under significant strain, providing insight on the country's resilience and any future ameliorations required. It was conducted by Public Health England representing the Department of Health and Social Care , as part of a project led by the "Emergency Preparedness, Resilience and Response Partnership Group". Twelve government departments across Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, as well as local resilience forums (LRFs) participated. More than 950 workers from those organisations, prisons and local or central government were involved during
9009-530: The United Kingdom response to COVID-19. In July 2020, a request under the Freedom of Information Act was filed by an anonymous citizen nicknamed "P Newton" to seek further transparency of Exercise Cygnus. His Freedom of Information request to Department of Health and Social Care was unanswered twice. It was subsequently rejected by the UK government under Section 35(1)(a) of the Freedom of Information Act on
9152-546: The United Kingdom. Reports from the Medical Research Council's Centre for Global Infectious Disease Analysis at Imperial College , London have been providing mathematically calculated estimates of cases and case fatality rates. In February 2020, the team at Imperial College, led by epidemiologist Neil Ferguson , estimated about two-thirds of cases in travellers from China were not detected and that some of these may have begun "chains of transmission within
9295-485: The Virus, Save Lives" would later be followed by "Hands, Face, Space". Johnson also outlined on 10 May address how restrictions might end and introduced a COVID-19 warning system. Additionally measures were announced stating that the public could exercise more than once a day in outdoor spaces such as parks, could interact with others whilst maintaining social distance and drive to other destinations from 13 May in England. This
9438-461: The Welsh government relaxed restrictions on exercise and allowed some garden centres and recycling facilities would reopen. Nicola Sturgeon stated that she wanted all nations to make changes together as it would give the public a clear and consistent message. Boris Johnson acknowledged different areas move at slightly different speeds with actions based on the science for each area. Scotland announced
9581-418: The aim is to reduce the health impact of the epidemic but not to stop transmission completely; and suppression, where the aim is to reduce transmission rates to a point where case numbers fall. Until this point, government actions had been based on a strategy of mitigation, but the modelling predicted that while this would reduce deaths by approximately 2/3, it would still lead to approximately 250,000 deaths from
9724-456: The approach in an open letter. Subsequently, Health Secretary Matt Hancock said that herd immunity was not a plan for the UK, and the Department of Health and Social Care said that "herd immunity is a natural by-product of an epidemic". On 26 March, Deputy Chief Medical Officer Jenny Harries said that testing and contact tracing was no longer "an appropriate mechanism as we go forward". On 4 April, The Times reported that Graham Medley ,
9867-697: The basis that full disclosure of results would affect the ongoing progress of policy making by ministers. In August 2020, Public Health England was placed under a new organisation, the National Institute for Health Protection . Following Exercise Cygnus and COVID-19, several health professionals working on epidemics and primary care have provided suggestions to help the UK manage pandemics more effectively. Areas of improvement identified include bridging disease communication by focussing on specific vulnerable demographic groups and relaying layman instructions to control transmission. Exercise Cygnus led to
10010-477: The budget for equipment. In 2016, she raised the need to adapt to an increasingly ageing population which will be more susceptible to disease and vulnerable to pandemics, and "welcomes" a larger budget on "public health and prevention fields". However, she understands "times of austerity" and the difficulties faced by the central government. Matt Hancock was the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care of United Kingdom (2018–2021). On 28 April 2020, Hancock
10153-559: The conclusions reached by Exercise Cygnus. There was criticism that no follow-up document was written detailing how to deal with an influenza pandemic after December 2016. In March 2020, the three government documents available for response to COVID-19 were those published in 2011 ("Influenza Pandemic Preparedness Strategy"), 2012 ("Health and Social Care Influenza Pandemic Preparedness and Response") and 2014 ("Pandemic Influenza Response Plan") respectively, with no revised report following Exercise Cygnus and no mention of ventilators. Despite
10296-522: The countries they entered". They forecast that the new type of coronavirus could infect up to 60% of the UK's population, in the worst-case scenario. In a paper on 16 March 2020, the Imperial College team provided detailed forecasts of the potential impacts of the epidemic in the UK and US. It detailed the potential outcomes of an array of 'non-pharmaceutical interventions'. Two potential overall strategies outlined were: mitigation, in which
10439-460: The country's healthcare system , leading to long waiting lists for medical procedures and ambulances, also led to an indirect increase in deaths from other conditions. It also had a major mental health impact . In August 2021, a report from Age UK found that 27% of people over 60 could not walk as far and 25% were living in more physical pain earlier this year compared to the start of the pandemic. 54% of older people felt less confident attending
10582-474: The country, localised lockdowns, social distancing measures , self-isolation laws for those exposed to the virus and rules on face masks were introduced (though certain exemptions were permitted), as well as efforts to expand COVID-19 testing and tracing. In autumn and winter 2020, further nationwide lockdowns were introduced in response to a surge in COVID-19 cases and the Alpha variant . A COVID-19 vaccination programme began in December 2020. In mid-2021,
10725-476: The crisis, when there is the greatest demand for healthcare. At this stage, an estimated 50% of the population had been infected, with close to 400,000 deaths. The hypothetical situation was that the vaccine had been made and purchased but not yet delivered to the United Kingdom. Hospital and social care officials were to come up with emergency plans managing resource strain, while government officials were exposed to situations requiring quick decision-making. To make
10868-456: The crisis. The UK government had developed a pandemic response plan in previous years. In response to the first confirmed COVID-19 cases in January 2020, the UK introduced advice for travellers coming from affected countries in late January and February 2020, and began contact tracing , although this was later abandoned. The government incrementally introduced further societal restrictions on
11011-473: The delay in the reporting of deaths from the virus meant there was a risk of underestimating the steepness of the rising epidemic trend. In December 2021 scientists from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine predicted that Omicron could cause from 25,000 to 75,000 deaths in England over the five months to April 2022 unless there were more stringent restrictions, and would probably become
11154-602: The development of a pandemic influenza draft legislation "Pandemic Influenza Draft Bill", a collaboration by Civil Contingencies Secretariat (CCS), Department of Health and Social Care and Devolved Administrations . This later formed the basis for further developed into the Coronavirus Act 2020 . Legislation easements drawn from Exercise Cygnus include emergency recruitment and registration of retired healthcare professionals and protection against clinical negligence action for health workers. The complete 57-page report
11297-417: The disease and the health systems becoming overwhelmed. On 16 March, the Prime Minister announced changes to government advice, extending self-isolation to whole households, advising social distancing particularly for vulnerable groups, and indicating that further measures were likely to be required in the future. A paper on 30 March 2020 by the Imperial College group estimated that the lockdown would reduce
11440-410: The dominant variant by the end of 2021. As of 20 December 2021, there had been 11.4 million confirmed cases – the most in Europe and fourth-highest worldwide. By that date there had been 232,112 deaths among people who had recently tested positive – the world's seventh-highest death toll and 28th-highest death rate by population . This is Europe's second-highest death toll after Russia , and
11583-686: The early weeks of the pandemic, case numbers were underestimated, obscuring the extent of the outbreak. A legally-enforced Stay at Home Order, or lockdown , was introduced on 23 March, banning all non-essential travel and contact with other people, and shut schools, businesses, venues and gathering places. People were told to keep apart in public. Those with symptoms, and their households, were told to self-isolate , while those considered at highest risk were told to shield . The health services worked to raise hospital capacity and established temporary critical care hospitals , but initially faced some shortages of personal protective equipment . By mid-April it
11726-519: The end of March. Cases rose following the relaxation of restrictions but began, along with hospitalisations and deaths, to fall shortly after. The UK Health Security Agency publishes a weekly "national influenza and coronavirus (COVID-19) report", which summarises COVID-19 levels and other seasonal respiratory illnesses. In response to the COVID-19 pandemic in the United Kingdom, the UK Government introduced various public health and economic measures to mitigate its impact. Devolution meant that
11869-476: The event of an overwhelming pandemic. Following the UK's response to COVID-19 in 2020, criticism arose questioning whether the findings of Exercise Cygnus have been implemented. In June 2020, an enquiry by the House of Lords was conducted to investigate if follow-up actions had been executed as suggested. Baron Bethell raised several concerns including persistent lack of medical equipment in United Kingdom during
12012-423: The first national lockdown on 23 March 2020 and Parliament introduced the Coronavirus Act 2020 , which granted the devolved governments emergency powers and empowered the police to enforce public health measures. As the governments began lifting the nationwide stay-at-home order, policies and approaches diverged between the four nations. The Scottish government uniquely pursued an elimination strategy . Across
12155-727: The following year by Public Health England (but not made public) found deficiencies in emergency plans, lack of central oversight and difficulty managing capacity in care homes. In June 2020, the Permanent Secretary at the Treasury Tom Scholar and the Cabinet Office Permanent Secretary Alex Chisholm told the Public Accounts Committee that the civil service did not subsequently create
12298-429: The four nations' administrative responses to the pandemic differed; the Scottish Government , the Welsh Government , and the Northern Ireland Executive produced different policies to those that apply in England. Numerous laws were enacted or introduced throughout the crisis. The UK government had developed a pandemic response plan in previous years. In response to the first confirmed COVID-19 cases in January 2020,
12441-465: The full report and other supporting documentation related to Exercise Cygnus. In November 2020, Liberal Democrat MP Tim Farron submitted a written question to the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care asking whether the full findings of Exercise Cygnus will be published; no immediate answer was forthcoming. Moosa Qureshi is a National Health Service doctor campaigning for disclosure of
12584-484: The government "must act like any wartime government and do whatever it takes to support our economy". On 12 March, the government announced it was moving out of the contain phase and into the delay phase of the response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The announcement said that in the following weeks, the government would introduce further social distancing measures for older and vulnerable people, and asking them to self-isolate regardless of symptoms. Its announcement said that if
12727-475: The government believed the Italian government's approach to lockdown to be based on "several of the populist – non-science based – measures that aren't any use. They're who not to follow". Later the Times revealed that, in early March, the government did not even ask its scientists to model whether a lockdown might be a solution. On 2 March, Johnson said in an interview with BBC News : "The most important thing now
12870-484: The government had been threatened with legal action over demands to publish the results of the study. A version of the report, classified as "Official – Sensitive", was leaked and published (with redaction of some contact details) in The Observer ' s sister paper The Guardian on 7 May 2020. As of October 2020 , legal action is in progress to force the Department of Health and Social Care to publish
13013-618: The government introduced the Coronavirus Act 2020 , which grants the government discretionary emergency powers in the areas of the NHS, social care, schools, police, the Border Force, local councils, funerals and courts. The act received royal assent on 25 March 2020. Closures to pubs, restaurants and indoor sports and leisure facilities were imposed in England via the Health Protection (Coronavirus, Business Closure) (England) Regulations 2020 . The restrictions on movements, except for allowed purposes, were: In England from 15 June 2020,
13156-440: The government lifted most restrictions during the third wave driven by the Delta variant , until the "winter plan" reintroduced some rules in response to the Omicron variant in December that year. Remaining restrictions were lifted in England from 24 February 2022 under a " living with COVID " plan announced by the government on that date. Economic support was provided to struggling businesses and to furlough employees to mitigate
13299-421: The government on that date. Economic support was provided to struggling businesses and to furlough employees to mitigate the severe economic impact . It also forwent the procurement process in contracts in response to shortages of PPE and medical equipment , major issues in the early months of the outbreak, and for developing a contact tracing app . The UK government's response to the pandemic, in particular
13442-424: The government response. The guidance stated: There are important differences between 'ordinary' seasonal flu and pandemic flu. These differences explain why we regard pandemic flu as such a serious threat. Pandemic influenza is one of the most severe natural challenges likely to affect the UK. In 2016, the government carried out Exercise Cygnus , a three-day simulation of a widespread flu outbreak. A report compiled
13585-464: The government to use sign language interpreters for emergency announcements. Legal firm Fry Law looked to commence court proceedings as they said the government had broken the Equality Act 2010 , but also said that the government was doing the bare minimum and were crowdfunding to cover the government's legal costs if they lost. On 17 March 2020, Johnson announced in a daily news conference that
13728-551: The governments began lifting the nationwide stay-at-home order, policies and approaches diverged between the four nations. The Scottish government uniquely pursued an elimination strategy . Across the country, localised lockdowns, social distancing measures , self-isolation laws for those exposed to the virus and rules on face masks were introduced (though certain exemptions were permitted), as well as efforts to expand COVID-19 testing and tracing. In autumn and winter 2020, further nationwide lockdowns were introduced in response to
13871-447: The health sector, is considered. This would aid in managing essential services and operationalising increased health care demands with fewer obstacles. Greater flexibility is recommended especially in a pandemic when situations evolve quickly and decisions need to be made as soon as possible. Key suggestions were for rules to be more malleable and easily adapted to the circumstance at hand. The choices as to which legislation will be amended
14014-417: The healthcare, journalism, policing, and food distribution industries. To ensure that the lockdown was obeyed, all shops selling "non-essential goods", as well as playgrounds, libraries, and places of worship, were to be closed. Gatherings of more than two people in public were also banned, including social events, such as weddings, baptisms and other ceremonies, but excluding funerals. The stay-at-home order
14157-535: The highly transmissible SARS-CoV-2 Delta variant . However, mass vaccination continued to keep deaths and hospitalisations at much lower levels than in previous waves. Infection rates remained high and hospitalisations and deaths rose into the autumn. In December, the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant was confirmed to have arrived and begun spreading widely in the community, particularly in London , driving
14300-409: The largest fall in life expectancy in England since records began in 1981. On average, British COVID-19 victims lost around a decade of life; the last time deaths rose so sharply in the UK was during World War II . In 2020, the disease was the leading cause of death among men, and second leading cause among women. Research in 2021 suggests over 1 million people in the UK have had Long COVID , with
14443-558: The localised restrictions were ineffective at reducing the spread of the disease. COVID-19 pandemic in the United Kingdom The COVID-19 pandemic in the United Kingdom is a part of the worldwide pandemic of coronavirus disease 2019 ( COVID-19 ) caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 ( SARS-CoV-2 ). In the United Kingdom , it has resulted in 25,012,428 confirmed cases, and
14586-426: The majority reporting substantial impacts on day-to-day life. Professor Danny Altmann of Imperial College London said in March 2022, "It's kind of an anathema to me that we've kind of thrown in the towel on control of Omicron wave infections and have said 'it's endemic, and we don't care any more, because it's very benign'," he said. "It just isn't. And there are new people joining the long Covid support groups all
14729-455: The new message "lacked clarity". The Guardian were told that neither Chris Whitty, the chief medical officer for England, nor Sir Patrick Vallance, government's chief scientific adviser, had given the go-ahead for the new slogan. Witty later said at a Downing Street press conference that "Neither Sir Patrick nor I consider ourselves to be comms experts, so we're not going to get involved in actual details of comms strategies, but we are involved in
14872-403: The next phase of the response and as restrictions changed". Contact tracing was resumed at different points in each of the four nations. Pilot tracing began on 27 April in Northern Ireland, 28 May in Scotland and England, and 1 June in Wales. By 18 June 92% of all positive cases and their contacts were being traced within 24 hours in Northern Ireland. The Northern Ireland Executive published
15015-429: The next stage were introduced too early, the measures would not protect at the time of greatest risk but they could have a huge social impact. The government said that its decisions were based on careful modelling and that government measures would only be introduced that were supported by clinical and scientific evidence. The UK abandoned contact tracing on 12 March. From 19 March, Public Health England, consistent with
15158-467: The number of dead from 510,000 to less than 20,000. This paper and others relied on data from European countries including the UK to estimate that the combined non-pharmaceutical interventions reduced the reproduction number of the virus by 67–87%, enough to stop infections from growing. However, followup work concluded that the effectiveness of interventions was lower in later waves of infections. In April 2020, biostatistician Professor Sheila Bird said
15301-418: The only way of developing that, in the absence of a vaccine, is for the majority of the population to become infected." A Downing Street source later revealed that the "mantra" in government at this time was that "we've all got to get it." This stance was criticised by experts who said it would lead to hundreds of thousands of deaths and overwhelm the NHS. More than 200 scientists urged the government to rethink
15444-516: The opinion of the Advisory Committee on Dangerous Pathogens , no longer classified COVID-19 as a "High consequence infectious disease" (HCID). This reversed an interim recommendation made in January 2020, due to more information about the disease confirming low overall mortality rates, greater clinical awareness, and a specific and sensitive laboratory test, the availability of which continues to increase. The statement said "the need to have
15587-436: The outbreak within the United Kingdom and its overseas territories. On 24 March, all major mobile telephony providers, acting upon a government request, sent out an SMS message to each of their customers, with advice on staying isolated. This was the first ever use of the facility. Although the government in 2013 endorsed the use of Cell Broadcast to send official emergency messages to all mobile phones, and has tested such
15730-494: The overall strategic things and we have been at every stage." The slogan was criticised by members of SAGE. Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said: "We mustn't squander progress by easing up too soon or sending mixed messages. People will die unnecessarily." The next day the government published a 60-page roadmap of what exiting lockdown could look like. A document was additionally published outlining nine points which applied to England, with an update of measures from 13 May. As
15873-425: The public as the virus spread across the country in the following weeks, initially resisting more stringent measures introduced elsewhere in Europe and Asia . Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced the first national lockdown on 23 March 2020 and Parliament introduced the Coronavirus Act 2020 , which granted the devolved governments emergency powers and empowered the police to enforce public health measures. As
16016-620: The reports following Exercise Cygnus. In response to the UK government's refusal on the grounds of inciting public fear, Dr Qureshi pursued legal action under both the Freedom of Information Act and an application for Judicial Review. On 28 September 2020, the Information Commissioner's Office ordered the Department of Health and Social Care to respond to Dr Qureshi's Freedom of Information request, and Matt Hancock announced publication of "the report into Exercise Cygnus" on 20 October 2020. Following publication, and following
16159-434: The results of Exercise Cygnus following the 2020 COVID-19 outbreak. According to Dr Qureshi, who has experience treating leukemia patients severely impacted by COVID-19, healthcare should be built on transparency and collaborative peer review. In April 2020, he raised more than £46,000 through crowdjustice.com for this cause. Dr Qureshi, represented by UK solicitor Leigh Day , filed action against Matt Hancock for withholding
16302-439: The results of the simulation were "too terrifying" to be revealed. According to The Telegraph , the exercise led to assumptions that a " herd immunity " approach would be the best response to a similar epidemic. The New Statesman had been first to report on the results of Cygnus two weeks earlier. A partial report of findings was later released by British newspaper The Guardian , leading to public dissatisfaction on how it
16445-533: The resurgence of the virus nationwide starting in early September. On 14 August the Chancellor of the Exchequer Rishi Sunak urged people to return to offices, cafés and restaurants. On 27 August Boris Johnson launched a campaign emphasising the benefits to the public of returning to the office instead of working from home. On 11 July 2020, the MPs urged the Prime Minister to clarify on wearing masks, after he hinted
16588-454: The rules between England and Wales were different in terms of exercise, many officials warned against the public driving to destinations in Wales for exercise. The Counsel General for Wales , Jeremy Miles , said visitors could be fined if they drove into Wales for leisure. Sturgeon gave a similar warning about driving into Scotland. She additionally said that politicians and the media must be clear about what they are saying for different parts of
16731-502: The situation more realistic, COBRA meetings were held between ministers and officials. Simulated news outlets and social media such as "WNN" and "Twister" were also employed to give fictitious updates. A government disclaimer on the UK pandemic preparedness website stated that Exercise Cygnus was not intended to manage future pandemics of different nature, or to pinpoint what measures to adopt to avoid widespread transmission. Jeremy Hunt , Secretary of State for Health and Social Care at
16874-458: The source locations of the virus in the UK up to the beginning of March 2020, and following the initial importations which were likely from China or elsewhere in Asia. From this analysis they estimated that about 33% were from Spain, 29% from France, 12% from Italy and 26% from elsewhere. Notes: Though later reporting indicated that there may have been some cases dating from late 2019, COVID-19
17017-455: The three-day simulation, and their ability to cope under situations of high medical stress was tested. The exercise was named "Cygnus" as the theoretical H2N2 virus was nicknamed "swan 'flu" and said to originate from swans , the Latin name for which is Cygnus. In the scenario, the 950 participants from central and local government were placed in the seventh week of the pandemic – the peak of
17160-467: The time with their disabilities. It's really not OK, and it's heartbreaking." The Office for National Statistics estimated that the number of people in the UK with continuing COVID symptoms like fatigue, muscle pain and breathing problems had doubled in a year from one million in May 2021 to two million in May 2022. The Guardian reported in June 2022 that treatment facilities for patients with long COVID were inadequate. The pandemic's major impact on
17303-435: The time, recounts how he was confronted with a decision to close all the intensive care units and switch off the ventilators because redeploying the staff would save more lives - not a decision he felt a minister should be asked to make. Results from the exercise identified four main learning points and 22 further recommendations. In general, it showed that the pandemic would cause the country's health system to collapse from
17446-613: The time. On 27 March, Johnson said he had contracted coronavirus and was self-isolating, and that he would continue to lead the government's response to coronavirus through video conference . On the evening of 5 April the Prime Minister was admitted to hospital for tests. The next day he was moved to the intensive care unit at St Thomas' Hospital , and First Secretary of State Dominic Raab deputised for him. On 5 April 2020, Hancock warned that all outdoor exercise in England could be banned in response to COVID-19 if people did not follow social distancing rules, saying: "So my message
17589-471: The timeliness of public health measures being introduced and lifted, has faced criticism from academic medical sources, media outlets, relatives of COVID-19 patients and various political figures. This criticism continued amid the Partygate scandal, as multiple government officials were revealed to have breached COVID-19 social distancing restrictions during lockdowns, including Johnson and the Chancellor of
17732-508: The total number of cases in the UK stood at 51, the government declared the COVID-19 pandemic as a "level 4 incident", permitting NHS England to take command of all NHS resources. Planning has been made for behaviour changing publicity including good hygiene and respiratory hygiene ("catch it, bin it, kill it"), a measure designed to delay the peak of the infection and allow time for the testing of drugs and initial development of vaccines. Primary care has been issued guidance. On 11 March,
17875-412: The virus is thought to have originated in Kent around September 2020. Once restrictions were lifted, the novel variant rapidly spread across the UK. Its increased transmissibility contributed to a continued increase in daily infections that surpassed previous records. The healthcare system had come under severe strain by late December. Following a partial easing of restrictions for Christmas, all of
18018-509: The whole of Europe". Ali also said "all the commentary to date as to how and why the UK, or Sweden, has done worse than its neighbours is clearly no longer valid". Exercise Cygnus Exercise Cygnus was a three-day simulation exercise carried out by the UK Government in October 2016 to estimate the impact of a hypothetical H2N2 influenza pandemic on the United Kingdom. It aimed to identify strengths and weaknesses within
18161-460: Was Chief Medical Officer (United Kingdom) and Chief Medical Advisor to the United Kingdom government (March 2011 – September 2019) at the time of the exercise. Additionally, she was on the World Health Organization executive board then (2014 - 2016). She previously raised concerns for the lack of medical resources, specifically ventilators and hospital beds. The Health Secretary, Jeremy Hunt , and NHS chief executive Simon Stevens , had reduced
18304-542: Was leaked to the press and criticised by leaders and ministers of the four nations, who said it would cause confusion. The leaders of Scotland, Northern Ireland, and Wales said they would not adopt the new slogan. Welsh Health Minister Vaughan Gething said that the four nations had not agreed to it, and the Scottish Health Secretary Jeane Freeman said that they were not consulted on the change. Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer said that
18447-414: Was announced by the Prime Minister, Boris Johnson , in a television broadcast . It was initially expected to last at least three weeks, superseding the government's guidance for the public to go about their normal lives while remembering to wash their hands thoroughly. The "Stay Home" slogan appeared on the lecterns that speakers stood behind at the press conferences. It was often seen in capital letters, on
18590-596: Was at the time one of the largest worldwide. By the autumn, COVID-19 cases were again rising. This led to the introduction of social distancing measures and some localised restrictions. Larger lockdowns took place in all of Wales, England and Northern Ireland later that season. In both England and Scotland, tiered restrictions were introduced in October, and England went into a month-long lockdown during November followed by new tiered restrictions in December. Multi-week 'circuit-breaker' lockdowns were imposed in Wales and Northern Ireland . A new variant of
18733-420: Was confirmed to be present in the UK by the end of January 2020 with the first confirmed deaths in March. Subsequent epidemiological analysis showed that over 1000 lineages of SARS-CoV-2 entered the UK in early 2020 from international travellers, mostly from outbreaks elsewhere in Europe , leading to numerous clusters that overwhelmed contact tracing efforts. Limited testing and surveillance meant during
18876-551: Was identified and understood as a possible limitation to Exercise Cygnus, and the role of public opinion on pandemic response still requires further investigation. It was stated that in reality, moral decisions, such as those involving mass burials or population triage, may differ in face of public reaction. Further work is required to understand public reaction, so that it can be factored into significant decisions and communication strategies, particularly for ethically charged scenarios. Research into how public perception and response to
19019-563: Was introduced on 23 March 2020 and lifted in May, replaced with specific regional restrictions. Further nationwide restrictions were introduced later in 2020 in response to a surge in cases. Most restrictions were lifted during the Delta-variant-driven third wave in mid-2021. The "winter plan" reintroduced some rules in response to the Omicron variant in December 2021, and all restrictions were lifted in February and March 2022 as
19162-415: Was lower than with the first two waves – this being attributed to the mass vaccination programme. By early December 2021, the Omicron variant had arrived, and caused record infection levels. The UK government and each of the three devolved governments (in Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales) introduced public health and economic measures , including new laws , to mitigate its impact. A national lockdown
19305-456: Was managed. In May 2020, when interviewed by The Guardian , Martin Green, chief executive of Care England, one of the United Kingdom's biggest private care home companies, said that the government did not previously alert private health sectors to the lack of capacity should a pandemic arise. A number of news reports criticised the government's handling of the COVID-19 pandemic in the light of
19448-504: Was noted. Exercise Cygnus was centred around assumptions of public responses that have yet to be validated. Expectations of how the public will react was postulated based on the magnitude of "swan flu". This may not have been entirely representative of what would have happened in real life. For example, Exercise Cygnus did not involve live broadcasting or widespread coverage which typically characterises an actual pandemic. Hence, its reactions are based around theoretical public reaction. This
19591-493: Was one of the fastest in the world. By August 2021, more than 75% of adults in the UK were fully vaccinated against COVID-19. Quarantine rules for all incoming travellers were introduced for the first time in late January. Restrictions began to ease from late February onwards and almost all had ended in Great Britain by August. A third wave of daily infections began in July 2021 due to the arrival and rapid spread of
19734-474: Was questioned by British radio host Nick Ferrari regarding findings of Exercise Cygnus leaked to The Guardian . Responding, Hancock said officials informed him that "everything that was recommended has been done". In March 2020, according to The Sunday Times , Downing Street officials found follow-up planning from Exercise Cygnus lacking, with one stating that it "never went into the operational detail". In late April 2020, The Observer reported that
19877-580: Was released by the Department of Health and Social Care on 23 October 2020. The Telegraph raised doubts as to whether full implementation of improvements were conducted before COVID-19, as previously reassured. Six possible areas of contention were identified. Key complaints include: improper management of surge capacity, incomplete "silo planning between and within organisations", disorganised school closures, consistent lack of funding for care homes, inefficient public communication and lack of social distancing which were still unresolved during COVID-19. In
20020-405: Was reported that restrictions had " flattened the curve " of the epidemic and the UK had passed its peak after 26,000 deaths. The UK's overall death toll and by population surpassed that of Italy on 3 May, making the UK the worst affected country in Europe at the time. Restrictions were steadily eased across the UK in late spring and early summer that year. The UK's epidemic in early 2020
20163-426: Was sustainable in the case of a fast-moving pandemic, since experts would have to aid more than one SRG. The 22 further recommendations, listed per the report, include: Public Health England (PHE) was an executive agency within the Department of Health and Social Care whose goal was to "protect and improve the nation’s health and well-being, and reduce health inequalities". It had the autonomy to guide and help
20306-406: Was to be implemented from 14 September, amidst rising cases of coronavirus. A £100 fine was initiated to be imposed on the people who fail to comply, doubling on each offence up to a maximum of £3,200. Boris Johnson chose not to follow his scientific advisers' advice on 21 September when he did not introduce a short "circuit-breaker" lockdown as advised by SAGE. By 1 October 2020, around a quarter of
20449-433: Was understood that up to half the population will be implicated should there be insufficient understanding of the severity of a pandemic during the response. Exercise Cygnus revealed the need to develop a "Pandemic Concept of Operations" to bridge communication between organisations. This aims to manage collective response strategically by delegating specific roles to each organisation and directing their interactions during
#447552