UK’s coronavirus lockdown should not be lifted further until contact-tracing system proven to be ‘effective’, says WHO

THE UK should not lift its coronavirus lockdown measures further until its contact-tracing system was “effective,” a senior WHO official has claimed. The World Health Organisation’s director for Europe Dr Hans Kluge said the UK remained in a “very active phase of the pandemic” and warned against easing its coronavirus restrictions further. His remarks come […]

THE UK should not lift its coronavirus lockdown measures further until its contact-tracing system was “effective,” a senior WHO official has claimed.

The World Health Organisation’s director for Europe Dr Hans Kluge said the UK remained in a “very active phase of the pandemic” and warned against easing its coronavirus restrictions further.

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Current rules say people should remain two metres away from people not from their home or social bubble[/caption]

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Dr Hans Kluge has warned against the UK lifting its coronavirus restrictions too soon[/caption]

His remarks come as most shops and retailers across England are preparing to reopen on Monday and people have been encouraged to spend money in them to help the economy by the Prime Minister Boris Johnson.

Ministers have also confirmed a review of the two-metre distancing rule will be carried out.

Government figures are keen to give a boost to the UK economy after figures revealed GDP had fallen by 20 per cent in April.

Mr Johnson said yesterday the falling numbers of coronavirus cases gave the government “more margin for manoeuvre” in easing the restrictions.

Dr Kluge, in an interview with The Guardian, warned against rushing into trying to reopen the economy.

While he gave some praise for the tracking of around 31,000 contacts of 8,000 infected people Dr Kluge said Number 10 needed to be sure it could “aggressively” track infections.

“We know that early lockdowns saved lives and bought some time for the health system to be ready,” Kluge said when asked about the British government’s record.

“But I would rather than instead of looking to the past, jump to the future and say that the question of lifting the lockdown is as important as going to the lockdown.

“The key words here are to do it gradually. Do it carefully.

“Contact tracing is key especially as the UK starts to relax the social and physical distancing measures.

“There has to be a robust track-and-trace system in place of operation.

Dr Kluge added that governments who had locked down early in the pandemic, despite public criticism, had recorded fewer deaths during the outbreak.

But over the question should the UK reduce its two-metre distancing rule, he said: “Whether it’s one or two metre is less important than the fact that people will adhere to the measures, to the physical distancing, to the handwashing, to the respiratory hygiene, and that they understand that it’s not over. This is the key issue.”

He also added that European leaders would now be judged on their management strategy as they began to lift restrictions.

Dido Harding, the head of the NHS test and trace service, previously admitted the UK’s scheme would need to improve.

The latest coronavirus figures show there have been 41,662 deaths in the UK – a daily increase of 1,425 confirmed cases and 181 deaths.

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The government wants to be able to allow shops and businesses to reopen to help kick start the economy[/caption]

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Prime Minister Boris Johnson has said the Government will review the two-metre rule[/caption]