COVID-19 risk governance: lessons learnt from the UK, based on a systematic literature review

Covid-19 has changed the global operations in the 21st century. The first two cases were identified on 31st January 2020 in the UK. Since then, the country was opened until the national wide lockdown declared on 23rd March 2020. Coronavirus has made a substantial negative impact on the economy and the lives of its residents. Having access to free health care facilities to its residents, the country is suffering from an unprecedented level of deaths and morbidities caused by the novel disease. Most of the countries have focused on response masseurs by overlooking preparedness measures. Therefore, this study was conducted as a preliminary study of a project aimed at integrating epidemic and pandemic preparedness into disaster risk reduction. This piece of work is aiming at identifying the key stakeholders engaged in epidemic and pandemic preparedness strategy in the UK. Furthermore, the study explores early warning communication system during the outbreak in the UK. A systematic literature review was conducted using three databases, Science Direct, Emerald and Google Scholar, and with a literature review protocol explaining the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Accordingly, 51 research papers were used in conducting the literature survey. The study identified the Central government, Local Authorities, National Health Service, Public Health England, Clinical Commission Group, Civil Contingencies Secretariat, Chief Medical Officers, Cabinet Office Briefing Room, Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies and National Security Council as the key stakeholders involved in pandemic preparedness strategy in the UK. The UK’s early warning communication was based on a traffic light system with a 5-tiered colour code. In addition, information sharing and risk assessments have been identified within the legislative system. However, the study highlighted several challenges and lessons within the epidemic and pandemic preparedness system and early warning communication system in the UK.