Thousands to be spared isolation madness in app redesign scheme

A CONTROVERSIAL self-isolation system will be watered down within days amid fears it will cripple the economy and public services over the summer.

Ministers ordered a review of the NHS app used south of the Border after concerns it is bringing the system into disrepute by ordering too many people to self-isolate.

Sources told the Mail the app’s ‘sensitivity’ will be reduced to cut numbers asked to isolate unnecessarily.

Figures yesterday revealed a record 50,000 a day were ordered to isolate by the app last week – more than half of the 85,000 told by the NHS to stay away from others.

At present, those using the NHS app are ‘pinged’ to selfisolate for ten days if they are found to have spent more than 15 minutes within two metres of someone who tests positive for the virus.

A computer algorithm identifies the ‘risk’ posed to everyone who came into contact with the infected person at any time from two days before they first displayed symptoms. It is understood Health Secretary Sajid Javid is looking at reducing the sensitivity of the system.

Ministers are concerned that failing to reform the system could result in thousands deleting the app.

Business leaders have warned staff absences through self-isolation could cripple the economy this summer.

NHS leaders said health services could also be disrupted and called for doctors and nurses to be given an exemption because ‘something has to give’.

Mr Javid announced plans this week to move to a system that will allow fully vaccinated people to avoid self-isolation. But to the fury of businesses and many Tory MPs, he said the change would not be introduced until August 16.

Experts have warned that up to 3.5million a week could be asked to self-isolate if case numbers rise to the estimated 100,000-a-day level.

Chancellor Rishi Sunak hinted at the change yesterday, saying Mr Javid was ‘aware of the frustration’ at the self-isolation system.

The NHS Covid app has been downloaded by more than 26 million people. But anecdotal evidence suggests significant numbers are deleting it or disabling the Bluetooth function, to avoid being ‘pinged’ unnecessarily. Boris Johnson yesterday appealed to people to continue using the app, which he said was helping to prevent cases spiralling. He said: ‘I know how frustrated people are about this and I know people are fed up with Covid restrictions. But we have to be prudent.’

Kate Nicholls, of trade body UK Hospitality, welcomed the app review, but urged minis

‘Aware of the frustration’ ‘Something has to give’

ters to go further by allowing people to be released from self-isolation if they test negative. She said: ‘This is not just a hospitality issue – it is affecting the whole economy.’

NHS Providers chief executive Chris Hopson called for NHS staff to be exempt from self-isolation unless they test positive. He said if cases rose to 100,000 a day, self-isolation would place ‘significant pressure on the NHS’.

Jenny Harries, head of the UK Health Security Agency, said the app update was to reflect vaccination rates.