The coronavirus pandemic has reached a second wave, as infection rates continue to ramp up all over Europe.
In England, Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham is one of the leading figures to criticise the Government’s approach to local lockdowns informed by its “traffic light system” – placing the majority of the north and midlands under a raft of fresh lockdown restrictions.
While the system has been met with contempt by some local leaders, it is not just the UK who have employed a traffic light-style guide to provide the public with clear messaging on the social distancing measures in place in different areas. Similar systems have been employed in France, the Canadian province of Quebec, New Zealand and Spain to name a few countries, although with varied effect.
New Zealand
New Zealand has received praise for its efficient handling of the coronavirus outbreak.
It was the first state to employ a traffic light system in late March. The current four-stage alert system in place in the country was based on existing wildfire alerts, and clearly indicates the current risk and the necessary social distancing measures in different areas.
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said she “made no apologies” for introducing the strictest lockdown measures in the world, with the four-tier alert system exemplifying this approach.
The lowest tier of the restrictions, Level 1, invoked border entry measures to minimise the risk of importing Covid-19 into the country. Ministers also mandated intensive testing for Covid-19 and a tight contact tracing system.
On 8 June, New Zealand declared itself Covid-free. However it broke its coronavirus-free run on 24 June, reporting one case. As of Friday, there are two reported cases in the country.
France
While New Zealand used a number-coded system, France communicated the level of risk in different areas by using a colour-code. Since September, the country has employed a traffic light system. Areas identified as a red zone, or one of “active circulation”, are defined as having an infection rate of more than 50 positive cases per 100,000 inhabitants over the past seven days. If an area is coloured red, the health ministry have the power to take extra measures to halt the spread, such as closing down bars and restricting travel.
Now, France has outgrown the three-tier system, with more than half the regions in the country classified as red zones. In response, the Government has now introduced stricter measures for red zones, meaning bars and restaurants have to shut completely.
Despite tightening restrictions, France is still more loosely controlled than New Zealand and the UK. Even in Paris, a worsening red zone, people are allowed attend gatherings of 1000, reduced from 5000 at the end of September.
The colour-coded system has also been criticised for judging the amount of cases per capita, not by total number, skewing the results in favour of areas with smaller populations.
Quebec province, Canada
Quebec unveiled its regional alert system on 8 September. The four-tier system, beginning at green, followed by yellow, orange and red, imposes increasingly tighter restrictions.
As of Monday, several areas of the province, including its largest city, Montreal, and the provincial capital, Quebec City, have been moved into the so-called red alert zone. This means residents can only leave the house to go to school or go to work. Citizens cannot visit each other unless they are providing essential care, and libraries, museums, cinemas and theatres are also closed. Restaurants may only open to provide take-aways and congregations for worship or for funerals are limited to a maximum of 25 people.
While many shops, businesses and restaurants will be affected by the impositions, Quebec Premier François Legault has only been able to offer assurances that the Government are working on packages to support struggling businesses.
Spain
Conflict has broken out in Spain over the tiered system, adding another layer of tension to historical disputes. The Catalonian authorities were the first to impose a local lockdown in Segrià county in Catalonia on 4 July. As cases soared in the city of Lleida and surrounding areas, Quim Torra, the President of Catalan, fought for continued restrictions. However, a week later, a national judge overturned the order.
Galicia was the next area to face a local lockdown. On 5 July, 258 cases of Covid-19 were recorded in the city, and by 10 July, the figure had risen to 852. By 19 July – accounting for a two-week incubation period for anyone infected on the day of the lockdown – cases in the area rose to 1358, a five-fold surge.
Almost five million people have been affected by a lockdown in the capital of Madrid which was imposed on Friday. Restrictions were also placed on nine surrounding towns. Spain’s central Government declared a state of emergency in the capital after a top regional court threw out the restrictions rebuked by local authorities.
The employment of these tiered systems may be commonplace, but several variables will mitigate how effective they are. Fears of economic collapse, political spats and public favour leave the nascent systems of control hanging in the balance.
