WHY DID THEY TAKE A WEEK TO WARN US?
Fury of diners and drinkers told to wash belongings – SEVEN days after poison attack
PUBLIC health officials faced a barrage of criticism last night after ordering locals caught up in the Salisbury poisoning to wash their belongings – seven days after the Russian spy fell ill.
Residents asked why it had taken a week for the authorities to issue the advice, which applies to 500 people who visited the restaurant or pub at the centre of the investigation.
They were told by Public Health England (PHE) yesterday to wash any clothes or personal items they may have had with them, amid fears of contamination with the nerve agent used to poison Sergei Skripal last Sunday.
Officials insisted that ‘limited exposure’ would not harm anyone’s health – but admitted there might be a risk ‘associated with repeated contact’ over weeks and months with contaminated items, such as mobile phones.
They told anyone who was in either venue to wash clothing worn that day, double-bag clothing that would normally be dry cleaned and wipe phones, purses and wallets with baby wipes. Symptoms to look out for included blurred vision and vomiting.
Officials said the ‘precautionary measure’ came after tests found traces of the toxin in the Zizzi restaurant and The Mill pub, which Mr Skripal and daughter Yulia visited shortly before collapsing.
They insisted the risk to the general public was low but residents yesterday expressed anger at the delay.
Maureen Jones, 73, said: ‘I can’t understand why it has taken a week for them to tell people they should do that.
‘People probably have already washed their clothes without realising they could have been in contact with whatever it is. But some people may still have clothes sat in washing baskets or have not got round to doing it yet.’
Kris Smith, 28, who was in the pub on Sunday and Monday, when it was eventually closed, said: ‘I’ve washed all my clothes and stripped the whole house to be safe, stripped the bed and everything.’
A Zizzi employee, who did not want to be named, said staff were ‘shocked and horrified’ when told they could be at risk and should visit a doctor. ‘We haven’t felt ill or anything but it is worrying, people were understandably upset,’ they said.
Dr Jenny Harries, joint director of PHE, defended the decision to issue new guidance seven days on. ‘It’s really important to understand the general public should not be concerned,’ she said. ‘There is, on the evidence currently, a very low risk.
‘When we get new information we continuously risk-assess groups of people who may have become exposed... As new evidence becomes available, we act on that immediately. Most people who will have been at the pub will have washed the clothes they were in.
‘We’re not anticipating, on our current evidence, seeing new patients coming forward.
‘This is about a very, very small risk of repetitive contact with traces of contamination that people may have taken out. The advice we’re giving... will remove that risk as we go forward.’ PHE advised people who visited The Mill pub between 1.30pm last Sunday and closing time at 11.10pm on Monday, and Zizzi between 1.30pm Sunday and 9pm the next day to take action.
Traces of the nerve agent were found on and around the table where Skripal, 66, and his daughter, 33, were sitting. The table, along with other items, has been destroyed. Staff at both venues have been seen by doctors.
England’s chief medical officer Dame Sally Davies said ‘scientific tests take time’ but no harm had been caused by the wait. She added: ‘I am confident this has not harmed the health of anyone who was in The Mill pub or Zizzi.’
Skripal, who passed secrets to Britain during his time in Russian military intelligence, and his daughter remain in a critical condition following the suspected Kremlin-backed assassination attempt. Detective Sergeant Nick Bailey, who was among the first on the scene, also remains in hospital in a serious but stable condition. A total of 21 people have received medical treatment.
Police have identified more than 240 witnesses and 200 pieces of evidence, said Home Secretary Amber Rudd. Cordons remain in place at sites across Salisbury including the graves of Mr Skripal’s wife and son and his home.
Investigators in hazmat suits were seen re-examining evidence in the pub yesterday. A massive operation was also underway at Bourne Hill Police Station as military teams removed police vehicles believed to be contaminated during the initial response.
Last night Alastair Hay, professor of environmental toxicology at Leeds University, suggested the risk to the public was ‘absolutely trivial’, adding: ‘I think the Government is adopting a belt and braces approach here.
‘If it was going to be a problem to other people, it would have manifested itself by now.’
Comment – Page 16
‘Risk from repeated contact’