Inquiry Reveals UK's Lack of Preparedness for COVID-19

A public inquiry examining Britain's response to the COVID-19 outbreak is set to issue its first report on Thursday, focusing on the nation's preparedness for handling such a pandemic. By December 2023, Britain had recorded one of the world's highest COVID-19 fatality rates, with over 230,000 deaths.

Former Prime Minister Boris Johnson ordered the inquiry in May 2021, and it was formally launched the following year with former judge Heather Hallett as its chair. Initial evidence presented to the inquiry revealed that the government was under-prepared and failed to implement measures to protect vulnerable populations.

This finding echoed the 2021 report from the government's spending watchdog, which concluded that the government was ill-prepared for the crisis, had ignored lessons from simulation exercises, and was preoccupied with Brexit. Brenda Doherty from COVID-19 Bereaved Families for Justice UK emphasized the need to learn from past mistakes to save future lives. However, the true cost of governmental failures is keenly felt by affected families.

The inquiry's first phase has focused solely on Britain's preparedness. Future reports will delve into the politically sensitive issues of governance and decision-making during the pandemic. Boris Johnson was eventually ousted in July 2022 amid multiple scandals, including misleading lawmakers about parties held during lockdowns. His successor, former finance minister Rishi Sunak, also faced fines for breaking lockdown rules.

(With inputs from agencies.)