Norfolk to pilot local Test and Trace service to curb spread of coronavirus

  • Anglia

Norfolk has been named as one of 11 areas across the country leading the way with the government's new Test and Trace service.

Local authorities across England are getting a share of £300 million to come up with a plan for how to contain local outbreaks - particularly in workplaces, care homes and schools.

Norfolk County Council says it hopes the scheme will be key to getting the area out of lockdown.

The government says local Authorities will be central to supporting the new Test and Trace Service across England and they will be supported with a new £300 million funding package of £300.

Each local council will be given funding to develop tailored outbreak control plans, working with local NHS and other stakeholders.

The Mid Bedfordshire MP and Health Minister, Nadine Dorries said: "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.”

The government is testing a smart phone app to help track and trace people with coronavirus. Credit: Steve Parsons/PA Wire/PA Images

The 11 Local Authorities that will initially share best practice with others are:

  • Norfolk - with Norwich and districts Breckland, Broadland, Great Yarmouth King's Lynn and West Norfolk, North Norfolk and South Norfolk

  • Tameside

  • Warwickshire

  • Leeds

  • London - Camden lead in collaboration with Hackney, Barnet and Newham

  • Devon

  • Newcastle

  • Middlesbrough

  • Surrey

  • Leicestershire - with Rutland

  • Cheshire West and Chester

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