Whole UK towns and cities could be cut off in individual lockdowns if COVID-19 cases surge

DOMINIC RAAB has confirmed that the “variations” in coronavirus infection rate across the country could lead to particular regions or cities being forced into isolated lockdown in order to contain the spread of the virus.

The BBC host posed a scenario to the minister where Greater Manchester had an uptick in the number of confirmed cases.

He asked: “Would you lock down Greater Manchester?”

Mr Raab said: “We will make sure we’ve got the panoply of measures that can be taken in a targeted way.

“I’ve been following that geographic data for weeks now.”

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Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab (Image: BBC)
dominic raab bbc news andrew marr coronavirus

“We will make sure we’ve got the panoply of measures that can be taken in a targeted way.” (Image: BBC)

He added: “There are slight variations, but overall we’ve made good progress across the four nations and across regions.”

Mr Marr asked for specification on whether the Government had the ability to close down a city or a town if there was a rise in infections.

The Foreign Secretary replied: “We’ve definitely got the ability and we will target specific settings or particular regions or geographical areas.

“That gives us the confidence to make surefooted steps forward in the way that we’re doing tomorrow and the way we set out in our road map.”

dominic raab bbc news andrew marr coronavirus

“There are slight variations, but overall we’ve made good progress across the four nations and acros (Image: BBC)
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The BBC host pointed out that the incoming test and trace system was “crucial” to the whole plan.

He asked: “How many people have you traced so far?”

Mr Raab admitted he didn’t have the exact figures as the scheme has only been running since Thursday.