Schools and offices urged not to panic about virus
Ministers warn against ‘over-reaction’ Trump attacks media as global cases soar
EMPLOYERS are being told not to close offices and schools are being asked to stay open as the Government attempts to quell the rising panic over the spread of coronavirus.
Ministers last night warned that “over-reaction” could cost the country dearly with more than 35 schools closing or sending pupils home and office closures affecting hundreds of people.
Rising numbers of holidaymakers have cancelled trips abroad, and major events have been cancelled as the outbreak spreads across Europe.
More cases are now being declared outside China than within it and there were growing fears that the virus could spread across Germany, France and Spain, while cases soared in Italy.
By last night, Italy had reported 374 cases and was linked to infections in Greece, Croatia, Austria, North Macedonia and Algeria, as well as to a hotel in Tenerife that had 700 holidaymakers in lockdown. There was criticism over the handling of the outbreak at the Spanish hotel, with concern that the group – including more than 160 Britons – was not being safely quarantined.
Last night, an Italian cruise ship, the MSC Meraviglia, was reportedly denied access to Mexico amid concerns that someone on board was infected.
Donald Trump lashed out at US news outlets yesterday, claiming that they and the Democrats were “doing everything possible to make the coronavirus look as bad as possible, including panicking markets”. Last night he said the risk to America remained “very low” because of the “very good” early precautions taken by his administration. He announced he had tasked his vice president, Mike Pence, with handling the US response to the coronavirus.
America has suffered 59 cases – 45 linked to the cruise ship Diamond Princess – and its health protection agency warned that an outbreak was a matter of “when, not if ”.
As the global toll of cases hit almost 82,000, including 2,770 deaths, ministers in the UK issued new guidance, urging employers to remain open even if one of their workers was diagnosed with the virus. A US oil company yesterday told 300 traders and staff working in Canary Wharf to stay at home until tests established whether one of its employees had contracted the virus. Chevron Corp’s decision appeared to fly in the face of government advice.
Saudi Arabia last night imposed a ban on pilgrimages to Mecca and travel to Medina to prevent the spread of the virus. A global media communications agency closed two central London offices, sending home 300 workers, while an employee who had travelled through Singapore was being tested.
The guidance, issued jointly by Public Health England and the Department for Business, said workers who were suspected cases should be put in isolation while medical help was sought.
However, it stressed: “Closure of the workplace is not recommended. For contacts of a suspected case in the workplace, no restrictions or special control measures are required while laboratory test results for Covid-19 are awaited. In particular, there is no need to close the workplace or send other staff home at this point.” Even if cases were confirmed, closures were not recommended, risk assessments should be carried out at this stage. But
it suggested employers should “use their discretion” and not demand sick notes or dock pay if employees were following instructions to self-isolate.
Meanwhile, advice from the conciliation service Acas said anyone with “concerns around catching coronavirus” should be allowed to work from home. Matt Hancock, the Health Secretary, yesterday told the Commons that it was important to be “proportionate” in response to the growing threat.
He said: “Over-reaction has its costs too, economic and social, and so we have to keep the public safe but we also need to act in a way that’s proportionate.” He also urged schools not to close, even if pupils had been in contact with a suspected case. “There is no need to close the school or send other students or staff home,” he told MPS.
At least 15 schools across the country have closed and more than 20 have sent pupils or staff into isolation.
Head teachers have accused public health chiefs of fuelling fear among parents by issuing “confusing and contradictory” advice.
A number of the affected schools said they had been advised to close down by Public Health England (PHE), despite the “general advice” that schools should stay open. Dulwich Prep school in London was the latest to close after two pupils returning from
‘Over-reaction has its costs too...we have to keep the public safe but must act in a way that is proportionate’
northern Italy reported feeling unwell.
Robert Campbell, chairman of the National Association of Head Teachers’ secondary council, said: “It’s not good enough to leave these important decisions up to school heads. We’re not experts in public health or infection rates.
“At the moment the official advice is confusing and contradictory – and it’s leading to fear among parents.”
Parents at Lime Academy Watergall in Bretton, Peterborough, were told the school was being closed for a deep clean on the advice of PHE because a family had recently returned from northern Italy.
Meanwhile, updated PHE guidance advised every pupil in the country to wash their hands before leaving home and after arriving at school, in order to halt any potential spread of the virus.
A public health campaign launching across television, radio and social media next week will stress the importance of hand-washing for 20 seconds to protect against the virus.
Government planning documents suggested that up to 80 per cent of the population could become infected.