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Covid-19: Daily tests to avoid isolation expanded in England Daily tests not self-isolation for police, fire, borders, transport and freight staff
(about 2 hours later)
A scheme to allow key workers to avoid Covid self-isolation in England has been significantly expanded following criticism it did not go far enough. A scheme allowing key workers to avoid Covid self-isolation in England has been significantly expanded following criticism it did not go far enough.
Police, fire, Border Force, transport and freight staff will now be able to join a daily workplace test scheme, whether they are vaccinated or not.Police, fire, Border Force, transport and freight staff will now be able to join a daily workplace test scheme, whether they are vaccinated or not.
As many as 10,000 supermarket depot and food factory workers will also be eligible.As many as 10,000 supermarket depot and food factory workers will also be eligible.
Several sectors have warned of staff shortages in recent days.Several sectors have warned of staff shortages in recent days.
Currently, most people identified as close contacts of someone with coronavirus have to self-isolate for 10 days.Currently, most people identified as close contacts of someone with coronavirus have to self-isolate for 10 days.
Police forces, local authorities, transport providers and supermarkets were among those calling for a review of the rules to avoid crippling shutdowns or skeleton operations.Police forces, local authorities, transport providers and supermarkets were among those calling for a review of the rules to avoid crippling shutdowns or skeleton operations.
Home Secretary Priti Patel said: "Daily testing will keep our frontline teams safe while they continue to serve the public and communities across our country."Home Secretary Priti Patel said: "Daily testing will keep our frontline teams safe while they continue to serve the public and communities across our country."
From 16 August anyone in England who is fully vaccinated - and unvaccinated under-18s - will be able to take daily tests instead of self-isolating. Similar rules come into force in Scotland from 9 August - and in Wales from 7 August.From 16 August anyone in England who is fully vaccinated - and unvaccinated under-18s - will be able to take daily tests instead of self-isolating. Similar rules come into force in Scotland from 9 August - and in Wales from 7 August.
Mayor of London Sadiq Khan has joined leading business figures in urging Prime Minister Boris Johnson to bring this date forward and end self-isolation for close contacts if they are fully vaccinated.Mayor of London Sadiq Khan has joined leading business figures in urging Prime Minister Boris Johnson to bring this date forward and end self-isolation for close contacts if they are fully vaccinated.
Which workers don't have to self-isolate?Which workers don't have to self-isolate?
Check the latest rules in your areaCheck the latest rules in your area
Growing numbers of people have been told to self-isolate , with almost 608,000 contact tracing alerts sent from the NHS Covid-19 app in the week to 15 July - a record high. Growing numbers of people have been told to self-isolate, with almost 608,000 contact tracing alerts sent from the NHS Covid-19 app in the week to 15 July - a record high.
This so-called "pingdemic" has led to shortages of some products in supermarkets and staffing problems for frontline services.This so-called "pingdemic" has led to shortages of some products in supermarkets and staffing problems for frontline services.
The daily test scheme means eligible workers who are alerted by the app in England - or contacted by NHS Test and Trace - will be able to continue working if they test negative each day, whatever their vaccination status.The daily test scheme means eligible workers who are alerted by the app in England - or contacted by NHS Test and Trace - will be able to continue working if they test negative each day, whatever their vaccination status.
Ports, airports, rail infrastructure and haulage workers, alongside frontline police, fire and Border Force staff will now be eligible.Ports, airports, rail infrastructure and haulage workers, alongside frontline police, fire and Border Force staff will now be eligible.
The government has announced an extra 200 testing sites to help screen these workers - but it is not clear when these will open.The government has announced an extra 200 testing sites to help screen these workers - but it is not clear when these will open.
A separate scheme in England allows employers to apply in advance for exemptions for named fully-vaccinated critical workers in a small number of industries, such as the energy sector.A separate scheme in England allows employers to apply in advance for exemptions for named fully-vaccinated critical workers in a small number of industries, such as the energy sector.
In Scotland, critical workers in the health, food and transport sectors can apply to be exempt from self-isolation.In Scotland, critical workers in the health, food and transport sectors can apply to be exempt from self-isolation.
BBC Newsnight policy editor Lewis Goodall said: "Confusion - if not some chaos - has reigned in Whitehall over the past 24 hours days as ministers and officials grapple with the large number of workers being told to self isolate." BBC Newsnight policy editor Lewis Goodall said: "Confusion - if not some chaos - has reigned in Whitehall over the past 24 hours as ministers and officials grapple with the large number of workers being told to self isolate."
Announcing the new testing sites and the broader list of eligible workers, Health Secretary Sajid Javid said daily contact testing would help to minimise disruption caused by rising cases while ensuring staff were not put at risk.Announcing the new testing sites and the broader list of eligible workers, Health Secretary Sajid Javid said daily contact testing would help to minimise disruption caused by rising cases while ensuring staff were not put at risk.
GLOBAL SPREAD: How many worldwide cases are there?GLOBAL SPREAD: How many worldwide cases are there?
THE R NUMBER: What it means and why it mattersTHE R NUMBER: What it means and why it matters
TEST AND TRACE: How does it work?TEST AND TRACE: How does it work?
QUARANTINE: Will I need to self-isolate in a hotel?QUARANTINE: Will I need to self-isolate in a hotel?
Meanwhile, Friday's daily figures showed Covid cases were down for the third consecutive day in the UK, with 36,389 new infections.Meanwhile, Friday's daily figures showed Covid cases were down for the third consecutive day in the UK, with 36,389 new infections.
It is too soon to say whether cases have peaked, however, given that the statistics do not capture the impact of unlocking that happened on 19 July.It is too soon to say whether cases have peaked, however, given that the statistics do not capture the impact of unlocking that happened on 19 July.
The latest estimate of R - which measures how quickly the virus is spreading - is unchanged from the previous week at 1.2 to 1.4.The latest estimate of R - which measures how quickly the virus is spreading - is unchanged from the previous week at 1.2 to 1.4.
It means that on average, every 10 people infected with coronavirus goes on to infect between 12 and 14 others.It means that on average, every 10 people infected with coronavirus goes on to infect between 12 and 14 others.
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