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More on KentOnline
Concerns over cross-border coronavirus transmissions between a Kent and London borough have been raised, prompting at least two emergency meetings.
Health chiefs at Kent County Council (KCC) and Bexley council sat down last week as they seek to manage the "flow" of people moving between Dartford and the south east London area.
This comes as Dartford and Bexley have seen similar "steep" rises in cases, even though London was placed into a higher tier of restrictions than Kent last month, meaning households were banned from mixing indoors.
Bexley council leader Cllr Teresa O’Neill (Con) said: "There is anecdotal evidence that some residents travelled into Kent to socialise when they could not meet up in Bexley, just before the second lockdown on November 5.
“This may have contributed to the recent steep increase in cases in both areas.
"KCC and Bexley have been exploring whether this could be avoided if we were covered by the same restrictions after December 2."
The latest data shows that Dartford recorded 314 weekly cases per 100,000 people between November 10 and November 16 while its London neighbour had around 282, according to Public Health England.
It has emerged that some patients living in Bexley remain reliant on key health services at Darent Valley Hospital while residents from both boroughs have been visiting Bluewater shopping centre in Greenhithe, near the border.
The issues were raised to a panel of councillors during KCC's public health meeting on Friday.
Andrew Scott-Clark, who is the director for public health at KCC, said: "Most of our borders with other local authorities are fairly rural, so we don’t see the big flow of people across them that we see at the Bexley and Dartford one."
He said both councils have discussed "co-ordinated" ideas about enforcement action and improvements to testing, including fresh plans for a coronavirus walk-in test centre in Dartford. No specific locations have been revealed.
Dartford county councillor Ann Allen (Con), who lives half a mile away from Bexley, said she hoped London's Metropolitan Police would be involved in "constructive" talks over the application of Covid-19 rules.
"I am aware that young people are possibly transmitting the virus and may not be aware they have got it.”
At Friday's meeting, Cllr Allen said her "main" concern related to the mixing of school children between the two areas. Dartford Grammar School is one example and is just four miles away from Bexleyheath.
She said: "We are a net importer of young people coming from Bexley and the London boroughs because of schools.
"I am aware that young people are possibly transmitting the virus and may not be aware they have got it.”
In response, Mr Scott-Clark indicated that the spread of the virus amongst younger people was a contributing factor. He said: "The epidemiology in Dartford shows we have much higher rates in the 16 to 29-year-old cohort."
Further private talks are due to take place between the neighbouring public health authorities this week.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson is expected to outline the details of which tier each region of England will be put into this Thursday.
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