Boris Johnson is set to ask MPs to hand his government emergency powers to stop the spread of coronavirus.
The prime minister will seek to pass emergency legislation by the end of the month which will give ministers “all the necessary powers to prepare for and tackle” the virus.
The announcement comes after Mr Johnson chaired a Cobra meeting in Downing Street with ministers, leaders of the devolved administrations and health experts earlier today.
At the meeting a joint action plan was finalised to tackle the spread of the illness, measures agreed included:
- Every government department having a designated ministerial virus lead to oversee the response to the global threat of the virus, for instance on schools or businesses.
- A war room set up in the Cabinet Office, bringing together communications experts and scientists from across government and the NHS to roll out the public information campaign.
- Coronavirus being a standing item on the weekly Cabinet agenda, with the PM continuing to oversee the Government approach.
- The option, should the virus spread, to encourage more home working and discourage unnecessary travel as part of a ‘social distancing’ strategy that could delay the peak of the outbreak until later in the year, potentially helping combat the virus in warmer weather conditions.
- Looking at emergency registration of health professionals who have retired, the introduction of emergency indemnity coverage for health care workers to provide care or diagnostic services and relaxation of rules around staff to pupil ratios in education and childcare settings.
Mr Johnson said: “It is highly likely coronavirus will spread more widely in the coming days and weeks, which is why we’re making every possible preparation.
“We have agreed a plan, which I will set out in detail today, so if the virus should spread, we are ready to take necessary steps to contain it and protect the most vulnerable.
“But we can all continue to do our bit to fight this virus – by washing our hands with soap and water for the length of time it takes to sing Happy Birthday twice.”
Later in the week, a major public information campaign will be launched setting out clear steps the public can take to limit the spread of the virus, including washing their hands regularly with soap and water.
