COVID-19: Sunak urges workers to return to office as ministers plan to make NHS COVID app ‘less sensitive’ | UK News

Rishi Sunak is urging workers to return to the office – at the same time as ministers plan emergency measures to reduce the number of people in quarantine.

The Chancellor said he wanted as many people as possible, especially younger staff, to return to normal work as soon as the homework orientation is lifted on July 19.

But his call risks being undermined by the threat that hundreds of thousands of workers will be forced into self-quarantine in the weeks leading up to the end of self-isolation for those fully vaccinated on August 16.

A government source told Sky News the mass isolation would be ‘another back door lockdown’ and confirmed ministers are planning changes to the NHS COVID-19[female[feminine application.

Plans to change the app emerged after Mr Sunak told Sky News he spoke to Health Secretary Sajid Javid on the public frustration with the Test and Trace system.

And the Chancellor has now told the Daily Telegraph that remote working during the pandemic has put young workers at a disadvantage because face-to-face interaction is valuable.

“I think for young people, especially this ability to be in your office, to be in your workplace and to learn from others more directly, is something really important and I look forward to seeing us there. were coming back slowly, ”Sunak said.

But coinciding with the Chancellor’s return-to-work call, Sky News understands Whitehall is worried about what to do with the number of people who should be asked to self-isolate in the five weeks leading up to August 16.

The Department of Health has confirmed to other parts of Whitehall that it is considering a plan to make the COVID Bluetooth app less sensitive function, Sky News has learned.

The Daily Mail also reports that the self-isolation system will be watered down within days, fearing it could cripple the economy and public services this summer.

Ministers ordered an urgent review of the application following concerns it raises …