Boris Johnson has repeatedly declined to say how many people are expected to self-isolate after the final easing of COVID restrictions in England on July 19.
Labor leader Sir Keir Starmer accused the Prime Minister to put the country on the path to a “summer of chaos and confusion” by noting the admission of Health Secretary Sajid Javid that there could be 100,000 coronavirus cases per day in a few weeks.
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Fears millions of people will have to self-isolate as COVID restrictions are relaxed
Sir Keir pointed to estimates that such an infection rate could force millions of Britons per week to self-isolate this summer as COVID levels skyrocket.
The Prime Minister is facing a backlash after unveiling a plan to move to the fourth and final step of his roadmap to lift COVID restrictions on July 19.
However, a 10-day self-isolation exemption for double-bitten adults, or those under the age of 18, who have been in contact with an infected person will not be introduced until August 16.
Companies have warned of economic damage caused by large numbers of workers due to be quarantined in the coming weeks.
Speaking to Mr Johnson during Wednesday’s Prime Minister’s Q&A, Sir Keir said: ‘Let’s be clear why the infection rates are so high – because the PM left the Delta – or we can call it the “Johnson variant” – in the country.
“Let’s be clear why the number of cases will increase so quickly – because he’s removing all the protections at once. It’s unwise.”
The Labor leader added that the “massive” number of people expected to self-isolate this summer would mean “huge disruption for families and businesses as the summer holidays begin”.
“It will not be a ‘day of freedom’ for those who have to isolate themselves, when they have to cancel their holidays, when they cannot go to the pub or even to their children …
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Source: news.sky.com
This notice was published: 2021-07-07 11:34:00
