Britain’s easing could be chaotic due to staff shortages, say unions
THE British government is coming under pressure from businesses and unions to tackle the growing worker self-isolation crisis amid warnings that Monday’s so-called Freedom Day will turn into “Chaos Day”.
There are fears of transport problems on Monday morning because of the number of workers being pinged by the NHS Test and Trace app, as well as warnings of shortages of goods in supermarkets and cuts in production at factories.
The CBI called on the government to immediately allow double-jabbed individuals not to self-isolate for 10 days rather than wait until August 16.
CBI president Lord aran Bilimoria said “With restrictions being lifted and cases rapidly increasing, we urgently need a surefooted approach from government, creating confidence to secure the recovery.
“This starts by immediately ending the selfisolation period of 10 days for people who are doublejabbed 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.
“Mask wearing in enclosed spaces, especially transport, will help create confidence for both staff and customers, as will clarity around the future availability of free testing for employees.” The Rail, Maritime and Transport union said Saturday’s closure of London Underground’s Metropolitan Line due to key staff being pinged by track and trace showed how transport services were “on a knife edge.” General secretary Mick Lynch told the PA news agency “Many rail, bus and Tube services are already seriously understaffed which leaves them dangerously exposed.
The CBI called on the government to immediately allow doublejabbed individuals not to self-isolate for 10 days rather than wait until August 16
“The government’s botched handling of this latest phase of the pandemic, and the rank hypocrisy of the Prime Minister and his Chancellor who don’t think the isolation rules apply to them, means that their Freedom Day could very easily collapse into Chaos Day.” TUC general secretary Frances O’Grady said “The government cannot watch from the sidelines as Covid runs riot.
“Ministers must urgently make wearing a mask a legal requirement on public transport and in shops, and they must toughen their vague and inadequate backto-work guidance so workers have confidence their workplaces are safe.