‘Pingdemic’: Transport workers set for exemption, Shapps says
Some transport workers will be exempt from having to isolate if they are “pinged” by the NHS Covid-19 app, the government has announced this evening.
Transport secretary Grant Shapps said that testing would be introduced at a number of key transport sites around the country.
It comes after a number of rail franchises announced that they would cut services as a result of the number of people having to isolate.
Writing on Twitter, Shapps said: “To keep Britain moving, we are introducing targeted testing at transport sites around the country.
“People working there who receive an alert telling them to self-isolate can keep working if they get a negative result. Recognition of the crucial role transport workers play.”
The decision comes as the government faces mounting pressure to ease the rules on self-isolation amid staff shortages across the economy.
Along with transport workers, thousands of supermarket and hospitality staff, as well as HGV drivers, have been forced to isolate after receiving an alert from the app.
Ministers had previously announced that a select number of professions would be exempt from mandatory isolation if they tested negative after being alerted.