This is encouraging news and will give hope to business that a sustainable route out of lockdown is emerging. https://twitter.com/smyth_chris/status/1253220430749597696

No one can reasonably expect governments to have a crystal ball with a brand new virus, so full credit to the government for being willing to learn from international best practice, first on ramping up testing and now on mass contact tracing.

But we need to see more detail: will it be centrally co-ordinated by PHE or led locally by councils? Will we have a senior leader to manage the programme given PHE and DH leadership are already working round the clock? What will the balance be between tech & traditional methods?

The logistical challenge shouldn’t be underestimated; this is bigger than building the Nightingales or PPE distribution. But the definition of success is simple: can anyone with symptoms get a test in 24 hours? And can we trace 80-90% of their contacts in the following 24 hours?

In Germany they’re recruiting 5 contact tracers for every 20,000 people. In Singapore they deploy the army. In Korea they involve every part of national and local government. All use hybrid combinations of feet on the street, phoning and tech to stop the virus in its tracks.