Agenda item

COVID-19 UPDATE

Oral update on the latest position.

Minutes:

The Board received an oral update from Officers relating to issues and matters concerning the Covid-19 pandemic.

 

Members were informed they had entered a new period of increased community transmission for Covid. Since the last Board, cases had increased to 119 in the City and the R-value for London was estimated as 1-1.2. The majority of cases in the City were people under the age of 40 years so were at less risk.

 

Officers confirmed that the Guildhall Testing Centre was now open and was classified as one of the top 10 testing centres in London with good capacity and access. With regards to performance on contact tracing, it was noted that the national system was achieving nearly 100% (well above the 80% target) in contacting cases in the City.

 

The City of London Police (COLP) confirmed that since Covid, the command structure (Gold, Silver, Bronze) were operating daily, weekly and operational role meetings in line with the four E’s approach: Engage, Explain, Encourage, Enforce. The COLP have issued 8 FNP tickets in the current lockdown and 39 desist and go home approach. It was noted that community engagement had been largely good with only one £10k fine issued to a premises in the City. The Director of Markets & Consumer Protection confirmed that Environmental Health and Licensing were assisting with enforcement of Covid-19 measures at licensed premises and that compliance had been high to date.

 

In response to a question regarding the position of the new lockdown on 2 December 2020, Officers noted the Government’s position to review the impact on the NHS and services and awaited discussions next week. The options were to remain under the current lockdown guidelines or move back to a regionally determined Tier system. In terms of London specifically, Boroughs were moving in different directions and discussions were happening through the London SCG and Public Health England to keep the region together as one tier.

 

A Member noted that the existing statutory instruments for the three tiers ended on 2 December 2020 meaning the Government had options to bring in a completely new system. Officers confirmed new legislation would need to follow following Government approval.

 

The Chairman thanked all Officers for their continued hard work.