DO THE RIGHT PING
Boris Johnson under pressure to end pingdemic after humiliating isolation U-turn
BORIS Johnson is today under mounting pressure to do the right thing and tackle the pingdemic.
The PM, isolating on Freedom Day, tried to use VIP testing to dodge ten days at home after contact with Covid-hit Health Secretary Sajid Javid.
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But Boris stuck to the rules after an outcry. MPs want Test and Trace isolations to be axed as staff shortages cripple thousands of businesses.
They warn any delay will worsen the UK-wide staffing crisis caused by the pinging of close contacts of those with Covid.
Yesterday the PM was forced into a humiliating U-turn over his contact with virus-hit Health Secretary Sajid Javid.
Mr Javid announced his positive test on Twitter on Saturday lunchtime, above.
By the rules that means a ten-day isolation for close contacts.
At 8am yesterday No10 said the PM and Chancellor Rishi Sunak — who also met Mr Javid on Friday — could swerve isolation by taking part in a pilot scheme of daily testing.
But at 10.37am Downing Street climbed down following a furious national response.
A snap poll for Savanta found 67 per cent thought Boris dodging isolation would have been “unfair”, and 75 per cent thought it showed there was “one rule for politicians”.
Labour boss Sir Keir Starmer compared the Tory top two to “failed bank robbers who only offered to give the money back because they’ve been caught.”
The PM must self-isolate or he risks destroying Test and Trace
Ed Davey
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Lib Dem Ed Davey, in a nod to aide Dominic Cummings’ lockdown- defying trip to Durham, described Boris’s actions as “Barnard Castle on steroids”. He added: “The PM must self-isolate or he risks destroying Test and Trace.”
Labour’s Jonathan Ashworth said it was unfair politicians appeared to have access to “VIP testing”.
The PM now will stay at his country retreat Chequers.
He said he “briefly” looked at the pilot scheme idea, and acknowledged frustration at isolating during the current heatwave.
But he admitted: “It’s far more important that everybody sticks to the same rules. That’s why I’m going to be self-isolating until Monday July 26.”
A further 48,161 Covid cases and 25 deaths were recorded yesterday.
They came amid reports that tens of thousands are deleting the controversial NHS app that pings close contacts of any positive case.
Hair salons, nurseries, sports facilities and cafes have been left short-staffed. Marks & Spencer said it could be forced to reduce its hours.
Royal Mail sorting offices have also been hit while garden waste collections in some areas have been suspended to allow absent council staff to focus on bins.
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And there were warnings of an MoT backlog after garages had to cancel huge numbers of bookings.
Think-tank the Adam Smith Institute said nearly 1.7million could now be isolating. Former PM Tony Blair warned it could soar to ten million by the peak of the third wave, thought to hit in early September.
MP Damian Green called for August 16 to be advanced.
He added: “I’d be very keen if we could move to a system where if you have been in contact with someone but you are showing no symptoms and, if as far as you know you haven’t got it, then regular testing should replace isolation.
“That would be a significant unlocking step and very welcome.”
The CBI’s Lord Karan Bilimoria said: “We urgently need a surefooted approach from government, creating confidence to secure the recovery.
This starts by ending the ten-day period for the double-jabbed and providing a route out of isolation for those not yet fully vaccinated through daily lateral flow tests. Against the backdrop of crippling staff shortages, speed is of the essence.”
Mike Cherry, of the Federation of Small Businesses, called on Boris to expand the pilot testing scheme to all workers.
Helen Dickenson, of the British Retail Consortium, warned small shops face closing altogether due to the Pingdemic.
'THE GOVERNMENT NEEDS TO THINK CAREFULLY'
She told Times Radio: “We don’t want to wait for it to get critical to act. The Government needs to think carefully. Is there another way to do this?”
The National Association of Head Teachers said parents were pulling kids out of school early to avoid isolations and having to cancel holidays. But Government sources insisted that “isolation remains the most important tool we have as we open up more”.
From today frontline NHS workers who have been double-jabbed won’t need to isolate if they are a contact of someone who tests positive.
Doctors, nurses and other critical staff will have to get a PCR test followed by daily lateral flows in order to continue going to work - and they won’t be allowed to socialise outside their homes.
Local NHS chiefs will make the call on a case-by-case basis depending on how badly their area is hit by staff absences.
Despite spiralling Covid cases, Mr Johnson defended his decision to relax nearly all the rules but advised: “Please, please be cautious. He added: “We have got to remember that this virus is sadly still out there.
“Go into the next step with all the right prudence and respect for other people and the risks that the disease continues to present.”
Housing Minister Robert Jenrick said experts had looked at delaying Freedom Day for a second time but the evidence “wasn’t compelling to do so”.
YouGov research has found two in three Brits feel uncomfortable about the restrictions lifting. Seven in ten wouldn’t feel comfortable in a club — and many are worried about returning to large indoor events, busy pubs and public transport.
Scheme for VIPs 'a joke'
Furious Brits have accused Boris Johnson and Rishi Sunak of double standards over their isolation stunt.
CCTV engineer Adam Smith, 36, from Kent, said: “I am livid. I’m self isolating but almost called all my customers to let them know I’d be coming into work next week.
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“My wife and I are fine but as we got randomly pinged by the app we’re having to stay at home — not earning.”
Sammi Bocutt, 30, from Brighton, said: “It’s the latest in a long list of examples where normal people obey one set of rules and politicians another.
“It’s setting double standards.”
John Wilkinson, 38, from Durham, blasted: “I’ve deleted the app. I’ve isolated twice, worn masks and worked from home but what they tried doing is the final straw.”
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Rhian Wade, 27, from Littlehampton, West Sussex, said: “Boris telling us of an unknown pilot scheme to excuse himself was a joke.”
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Sue Messy tweeted: “They’ve sent out the message you don’t have to bother isolating.”
And Tracey Chaplin said: “What a disgrace. I’m not picking and choosing what I do — I’m following the safe rules.”
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