Councils will be able to impose lightning closures of public buildings, order mass testing, ban public or private events, or shut down whole sectors of the economy. The power over the decision as to what get destroyed is in the hands of Directors of Public Health, chosen by council executives. -GEG

Boris Johnson remains determined to avoid a second nationwide lockdown

Councils able to draw on laws to impose lightning closures of public buildings

As last resort the 1984 Control of Disease Act allows for building demolition

Councils and public health officials have the power to demolish buildings and even homes infected with coronavirus, it has emerged.

As a last resort for preventing the spread of the disease, powers granted to local authorities – with the permission of a magistrate – could see anything from a car to a train destroyed.

The revelation comes as Boris Johnson remains determined to avoid a second nationwide lockdown at all costs, and has chosen to empower councils to properly enforce localised lockdowns.

In the recently published COVID-19 contain framework guide, local decision making related to the disease is placed in the hands of Directors of Public Health, supported by council chief executives.