Lessons will be learned before next pandemic, Covid inquiry hears

The chair of the Inquiry into the handling of Covid-19 in the UK has used her opening statement to emphasise that, if necessary, it has the power to compel witnesses to appear or documents to be handed over.

Baroness Hallett said that she intended the inquiry to be thorough, rigorous and fair, warning that it would take time.

But she also said she wanted to be able to learn lessons before any other pandemic hit the UK.