The leader of Cornwall Council has said the Government has left it “in the dark” about how it will enforce local lockdowns which might be needed to prevent the spread of coronavirus.

Julian German said that while the Government has said councils will have to co-ordinate any response to spikes in the community they have not been given any guidance or extra powers to enforce any local lockdown which might be required.

The test and trace system went live last week with anyone who tests positive for Covid-19 having to provide details of others they have come into contact with so they can self-isolate and stop the spread of the virus.

Eventually the scheme will be used to identify local hotspots and outbreaks which may require localised lockdown to prevent spread.

Cllr German said: “Cornwall Council is ready to play its part in making the scheme a success, but I remain deeply concerned about the lack of guidance of how the scheme will work in real terms.”

The independent councillor said councils had not be consulted about the scheme or the role they will have to play.

He said councils had been asked to draw up “local lockdown plans” which would detail their response to any outbreak and how it will co-ordinate that response with other agencies.

Cllr German said: “We can’t co-ordinate these activities if we are left in the dark.”

He said local lockdown could involve the closure of schools and businesses and no information had been provided about what powers the council or other partners might have to be able to do that.

Cllr German said: “How do we safely and effectively isolate a community? How will that work in practice and how can we enforce lockdown without the powers to do so?”

He said there had also been no information provided as to how a decision would be made about whether local lockdown should happen or where that decision would be made.

Cllr German said there was no information about what a local lockdown area would be asking whether it was a “village, a hospital or Cornwall?”.

He added: “Whatever the local area is, how do we curb their freedoms – whether that is us or the police.”

The council leader said it was a “matter of urgency” that the Government address the issues and provide the guidance which is needed.