Trains cancelled as fears of ‘ping-demic’ chaos grow
TRANSPORT for Wales issued an apology yesterday for cancellations to its rail services as Covid-19 forced some staff to selfisolate.
The organisation said it anticipated “some challenges over the coming weekends” as Covid cases across Wales continue to rise.
Wales recorded three more Covid19 deaths yesterday and more than 1,000 new cases.
The nation’s infection rate now stands at 161.1 cases per 100,000 population based on the seven days between July 6 and July 12 – up on 156.3 on Friday. It has not been this high since late January. Eighteen of
Wales’ 22 local authorities are now reporting more than 100 positive cases per 100,00 people.
First Minister Mark Drakeford has said that nearly all coronavirus restrictions on people and businesses in Wales are set to be lifted on Saturday, August 7.
However, with today’s so-called “Freedom Day” in England, government was last night coming under pressure from businesses and
unions to tackle the growing worker self-isolation issues.
The number of people notified by the app in England and Wales recently passed 500,000 in a single week.
It has been reported that up to a fifth of workers in companies are having to self-isolate, putting supply chains, public transport and the NHS under strain.
CBI president Lord Karan Bilimoria yesterday called for an immediate end to the requirement to self-isolate for people who have been fully vaccinated. He said: “We urgently need a surefooted approach from government, creating confidence to secure the recovery.
“This starts by immediately ending the self-isolation period of 10 days for people who are double-jabbed 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.”
His plea came as 35 train journeys were cancelled by Transport for Wales as of an update at 1.58pm yesterday on its website – the majority for trains travelling from Cardiff.
There were also updates for another 35 train services, including delays, early terminations, and replacement train and bus services.
A Transport for Wales spokesperson said: “We would like to apologise for any cancellations this weekend. Unfortunately, some services have had to be cancelled due to train crew availability.
“Like many organisations employing large numbers of people, we continue to experience the impact of Covid-19 with some colleagues having to self-isolate, shield, care for someone or are currently subject to a positive test result.
“This week, we were able to make some changes to our Sunday timetable in advance, to allow customers to plan their journeys. We always advise checking before travelling; customers can do this via our Capac
ity Checker and our Twitter account.
“We envisage some challenges over the coming weekends, especially on Sundays. We are working hard to minimise any service disruption and we continue to advice customers to check before travelling.”
TUC general secretary Frances O’Grady said: “If we want to stop Covid ripping through workplaces, people must be supported to selfisolate. That means providing decent sick pay to the level of the real living wage and making sure everyone can get it. With hundreds of thousands of workers being pinged every week, this is more urgent than ever.”
The Rail, Maritime and Transport union’s general secretary Mick Lynch said: “Many rail, bus and Tube services are already seriously understaffed, which leaves them dangerously exposed.”
In reference to Prime Minister Boris Johnson and Chancellor Rishi Sunak’s U-turn yesterday on whether they would self-isolate following Heath Secretary Sajid Javid’s positive test and the easing final relaxation of coronavirus restrictions in England, Mr Lynch added: “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.”
Mr Johnson, however, yesterday pleaded with the public in a Twitter video post to follow the guidance and self-isolate if they are “pinged” by the NHS Covid app – as he confirmed he will be doing so until July 26.
The Prime Minister said people needed to “stick with the programme”.
“Please, please, please be cautious, go forward tomorrow into the next step with all the right prudence and respect for other people and the risks that the disease continues to present,” said Mr Johnson.
“And above all, please, please, please, when you’re asked to get that second jab, come forward and do it.”