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Given the importance of refining interventions to mitigate both impacts on public health and economic...

Recommendation
Given the importance of refining interventions to mitigate both impacts on public health and economic recovery, a review of social distancing measures came quite late. While the scientific approach quite rightly waits for the evidence before making a definitive recommendation, this often necessitates delay and may not produce conclusive results. The pandemic has demanded that policy be made and adapted on a faster timescale and in this instance the Government was too slow to respond. The UK response to covid-19: use of scientific advice 81 The Government should employ a more adaptive approach to non–pharmaceutical interventions such as social distancing rules and commit to a review of the approach employed in the UK as compared with countries that dealt with the SARS and MERS outbreaks (such as the Republic of Korea), setting out the reasoning for differences in policy decisions. The outcome of this review should be published by the end of 2021.
Paragraph Reference
150
Government Response
Not Addressed
HM Government Not Addressed
The Government keeps all non–pharmaceutical interventions and social distancing rules under constant review to ensure the measures remain necessary and proportionate. For example, the Government is legally required to review the Steps regulations at least every 35 days. As set out in the Roadmap, we are also conducting a review of social distancing and other measures to determine when and under what circumstances social distancing guidance can be lifted or amended, and the implications for other measures, including face coverings and working from home guidance. These reviews examine the latest epidemiological data available at the time. The Government always takes any decision in collaboration with medical and scientific advisers. Throughout the pandemic, the Government has listened carefully to the views of the scientific community, the information from SAGE and its sub-groups when taking decisions on the best way to tackle the pandemic. There is ongoing, regular, dialogue with other countries and with the Devolved Administrations to discuss different approaches. For example, when considering the use of face coverings, the Government noted approaches taken in Europe and Asia, with some European countries having mandated the use of face coverings in indoor settings such as shops and supermarkets. Building upon advice from the WHO on 5 June 2020 that fabric face coverings should be used in public where social distancing is not possible, measures were brought into force to require mandatory use of face coverings in indoor public settings and transport settings. It is worth noting though that in many cases, responses by international partners to the pandemic varied and may not always have ben applicable to the situation in the UK at the time. Going forward, in taking decisions during reviews on restrictions and policies applying in England, consideration will continue to be given to approaches taken in other countries and the rest of the UK where appropriate.
Addressee Bodies
Department for Science, Innovation and Technology
Timeline
Recommendation age 5.4 yrs
Report published 08 Jan 2021