Southend is likely to be forced into local lockdown at some point during the Covid-19 pandemic, a leading councillor has warned.

Martin Terry, councillor responsible for community safety, said it was “probable” a local lockdown would be ordered in the coming months as the attention turns to test and trace to tackle the threat of coronavirus.

In its new infection control plan, the council warns that an outbreak in a number of settings – from special schools to care homes, bedsits and among homeless people – will “undoubtedly happen or recur, possibly frequently”.

As part of measures to halt the spread of the disease, Southend Council, along with all authorities across the country, are being handed the power to spearhead local lockdowns if there is a fresh outbreak of coronavirus.

These local lockdowns could range from closing down a school to closing off entire sections of the town and will be driven by data that comes in through a new contact tracing system that will monitor who has tested positive and how many people they have been in contact with.

Mr Terry, Independent councillor for Thorpe ward, said it was “probable” that at some point a local lockdown will happen.

He added: “I wouldn’t call it inevitable but I would say it is probable.

“We are reliant on human behaviour on this and a local lockdown will at least be far better than the whole area being locked down.

“That is what makes contact tracing a positive thing. Rather than using a sledgehammer to work out where the outbreak is, it allows us to only shut down a school or a care home rather than the whole economy.”

However, Mr Terry said he wanted to avoid any form of lockdown if possible but that will depend on people taking personal responsibility and continuing to follow social distancing guidance.

He continued: “I can’t emphasise enough that people need to take more responsibility for their behaviour. What we have seen in America is large gatherings and street parties and it is exploding out of control there.

“In Southend we have seen people having beach parties or gathering in large groups in parks, which should not be happening because they are putting the whole community at risk, not just in terms of health but also the economy.

“All we have done it control this virus. We haven’t stopped it.

“There is no cure so all we can do if continue to control it, which is the fundamental principle behind contact tracing.”

The council has said an outbreak is most likely to start in a smaller settings such as schools, businesses or care homes. If that happens, the authority will aim to contain this by first setting up a mobile testing unit at the location and then potentially closing down the location of the business or school, with people being told to keep away from that area.

However, if the outbreak spreads then a larger area may need to be locked down.

Leicester became the first city to face a local lockdown after a spike led to all non-essential shops being shut and schools closed to most pupils until at least July 18.

Mr Terry added: “In Leicester they have a severe outbreak with asymptomatic people who have the virus but don’t have it and spreading it.

“That’s where the problem can be and that is where contact tracing is so important to prevent that happening. There will be more hospital admissions and more deaths if we don’t control it.”