Khan: ‘Pingdemic’ places business recovery ‘in jeopardy’
Sadiq Khan has today written to Boris Johnson to urge him allow fully vaccinated people to return to work immediately after a negative Covid-19 test if they are ‘pinged’ by the NHS’ app.
From 16 August, double jabbed people will no longer have to isolate if they have been in close contact with someone who has tested positive for coronavirus.
But with vast swathes of the economy under mounting pressure due to the amount of people having to isolate, many are calling for the rule change to be brought forward.
In his letter, which was supported by London’s business leaders, Khan wrote: We acknowledge that test, trace and isolate is still a key tool to bringing this third wave under control; however, the biggest issue raised at our recent forum was the ‘pingdemic’ and the continuing mixed messages from ministers around self-isolation.
‘Many hospitality businesses, such as pubs and restaurants, are already struggling with staff shortages. These shortages have been exacerbated, in some cases leading to temporary closure, by large numbers of employees being simultaneously advised to isolate by the NHS Covid app.
“The summer months are crucial for many businesses’ recovery and their ability to recover must not be put in jeopardy.
“We are therefore calling on you to ensure that the necessary testing is in place to enable people who have been double vaccinated for longer than two weeks and pinged by the NHS Covid app, to Numebr immediately return to work, following a negative PCR test, rather than having to self-isolate.”
Number 10 has come under increasing pressure in recent days due to the sheer number of people being forced to isolate as a result of being alerted by the app.
Yesterday it announced that food workers would be put on a list of those professions which are exempt from having to isolate after a number of supermarkets apologised for empty shelves.
City PM has contacted Downing Street for comment.