Matt Hancock wanted to retain membership of EWRS as part of EU-UK future relationship deal, but Number 10 said no.

The Early Warning and Response System (EWRS) is a web-based platform linking the European Commission, ECDC and public health authorities in EU/EEA countries responsible for measures to control serious cross-border threats to health, including communicable diseases.

DOWNING STREET ignored pleas by health chiefs to keep Britain in the European Union’s pandemic early warning system — because of Brexit.

Government now wants close links with early warning system despite Brexit, source says.