Relax? Don’t do it
Key advisers dismayed by under-fire PM’s plan to axe Covid isolation early
BORIS Johnson’s sudden pledge to rip up all Covid rules was last night condemned as a distraction tactic by one of his scientific advisers.
The PM was blasted for ignoring the science with plans to ditch self-isolation rules as early as February 24.
Professor Susan Michie, a member of the Government’s Sage committee, said: “It’s too early to lift self-isolation rules when we have 200 deaths a day.
“Sage’s modelling group estimates that protective behaviour, such as mask-wearing, and mitigations like selfisolation are reducing transmission by 20 to 45%.
“Removing these protections is a political not a public health decision, conveniently distracting from the PM and colleagues’ breaking of Covid rules.”
Mr Johnson said on Wednesday that “encouraging trends” meant rules could be scrapped.
PCR testing could end by late March, it is understood.
Dr Matt Bigwood, from Doctors’ Association UK, called on Mr Johnson to “show us the science”.
He said: “Everyone wants to feel Covid is no longer a threat. But treating it in the past tense when it is still very much present bodes for a miserable future for many and early deaths.
“We would not like to see our patients or colleagues placed in unnecessary risk through what is a last desperate act of political expediency.”
Data shows cases are rising for older people as booster protection wanes.
In the week to February 5,
3% of people aged 50 to 69 caught Covid, and 2.5% of those over 70. There are 1,500 people admitted to hospital with Covid per day, and 200 deaths.
GP Helen Salisbury said even the
Government’s own scientific advisers were startled by the axe on restrictions.
Dr Salisbury, a member of the Independent Sage group, said: “Nobody was expecting this sudden announcement, it’s difficult to see how it makes sense.
“Numbers, although they may be coming down, they are still very high.” Jumoke Abdullahi, of disability charity Inclusion London, said Mr Johnson’s move was “so clearly a politically motivated attempt at currying favour with the general public” and showed vulnerable people with weak immune systems were “expendable”.
No10 will set out its plans when Parliament returns after half term. It is thought that people with Covid will be advised to stay at home but with no legal obligation.