Is it time for a more regional approach to tackling coronavirus?

A more nuanced approach could bring a number of benefits, particularly with the infection rate varying so much across England, writes Janet Street-Porter

London now has a lower coronavirus infection rate than much of the rest of the country (AFP/Getty)

When the first ministers in Scotland and Wales decided to assert their right to continue a stricter lockdown than the rest of the “United” Kingdom, did it advance the argument for a more regional approach to relaxing current guidelines?

Should the government be adopting a more nuanced strategy, when the latest rates of infection vary so widely?

According to a new study from Public Health England and Cambridge University, the R (rate of infection) figure remains highest – at 14 per cent – in the northeast of England and Yorkshire, whereas in London, the R-rate has dropped to 0.4 (every ten who test positive only infect four others). On the day fewer than two dozen Londoners caught the virus, more than 4,300 succumbed in the northeast.

In spite of images of crowded trains and buses and of parks packed with people and busy pavements, London seems to be eliminating the virus. As the city drives the nation’s economy, should there be a relaxation of lockdown in order to fast-track business?

The Cambridge study estimates that one in 20 people in London have been infected by coronavirus, although that does not mean they have been ill, or had serious symptoms requiring treatment in hospital. Once infected, they would appear unlikely to get a second dose of the virus, and would remain immune.

With these huge regional variations, why does the government persist with a single strategy for both rural and highly populated areas? If the rate of infection continues to decline at the current rate (halving every 3.5 days) in London, then the disease will have have almost been eradicated by the end of the month.

If Londoners are sensible and take precautions, then surely they should be treated differently to the populations of Barrow-in-Furness or Sunderland? After all, any relaxation of the rules can be reversed should the rate of infection rise again.