Leeds Council made 'test and trace' leader for government in coronavirus battle

Some £300m will be given to local authorities by Government to come up with the plans, which will focus on identifying and containing any outbreaks.

As part of the arrangement the councils will be expected to ensure testing reaches high-risk places, and local authority leaders and directors of public health will be in charge of the planning.

But two of the city’s MPs warned that the ultimate responsibility for tackling the crisis and rolling out the test and trace system remained with central Government

Leeds North East’s Fabian Hamilton said: “While this funding is welcome, the Government mustn’t be allowed to shirk its responsibility on testing.

“Leeds City Council has done an outstanding job, with the limited resources it has, to keep our city safe throughout this crisis.

Labour’s Mr Hamilton added: “But, before any restrictions can be lifted, we need to see a track, trace and isolate system that works. A proper testing strategy is absolutely vital to any way out of this crisis, and the government needs to step up to lead the way on this.”

While Alex Sobel, Labour MP for Leeds North West, added: “I broadly welcome this step. It is what local authorities including Leeds have been asking for as local authorities have the required expertise through public and environmental health.

“The Government must ensure proper data sharing with councils and powers to intervene if spikes occur.

“It is also important to stress that the responsibility for the success of track and trace lies with the Government. Localising the roll out cannot mean devolving responsibility.

“It is one week until schools are being asked to return. Time is running out.”

Local authorities will be able to access data on the virus’ spread through the Joint Biosecurity Centre to inform local outbreak planning, and the work will support the national roll out of the Government’s test and trace programme.

Leeds City Council leader and national test and trace advisor Tom Riordan said: “It is essential that communities and local authorities are at the heart of our plans to roll out test and trace. Their work to respond to the virus has been exemplary, demonstrating how people across the country have come together to respond to the virus.

“As we move forward with our plans to trace every case of the virus, and contact those at risk, we will need to continue to work together and tailor support at a local level.

“This joint endeavour between local government, the NHS and local partners will help those in self-isolation, and reduce the risk of widespread outbreaks in our schools, businesses, hospitals and communities”.

Minister for Patient Safety, Suicide Prevention and Mental Health Nadine Dorries said: “Local authorities will be vital in the effort to contain Covid-19 at a community level.

“The pandemic requires a national effort but that will only be effective as a result of local authorities, working hand in hand with Public Health England and contact tracers to focus on the containment of local outbreaks, in order to control the transmission and the spread of the virus.

“For contact tracing to be effective when it is rolled out, we will need people to continue to follow guidelines and stay at home if they have symptoms.”