UK Spares Key Workers Quarantine As Labor Shortage Worsens

The British government said Tuesday it will ease coronavirus quarantine rules for thousands more essential workers — including prison guards, veterinarians and garbage collectors — in an attempt to end staff shortages that are hobbling parts of the economy, Jill Lawless reported for the Associated Press (AP).

About 26 million Britons have downloaded a health service phone app that tells them to self-isolate for 10 days if they come into contact with someone who tested positive for COVID-19.

With the UK recently recording tens of thousands of new virus cases a day, the system has caused disruptive employee absences for restaurants and other businesses and led to gaps on some supermarket shelves.

Starting Aug. 16, anyone who has been fully vaccinated in Britain will be able to take daily coronavirus tests rather than self-isolating.

But many businesses are pushing for the change to happen sooner.

Last week, the government said food and transport workers, border staff, police and firefighters could opt for the daily tests. Now, it has expanded that system to more jobs, including refuse collectors, prison staff, veterinarians, tax collectors and defense workers.

The government said 2,000 sites would be set up to meet the increased demand for tests.

One person “pinged” by the app is Prime Minister Boris Johnson, who had to self-isolate after Health Secretary Sajid Javid tested positive this month. Johnson’s 10-day spell in isolation ended at midnight Monday.

Johnson said he understood people’s frustration but urged them to “stick with the program.” He added: “We do need to use the tools that we have. Self-isolation is the one that we’ve got. I urge people to do it.”

WEEKLY FEATURE : PAL READY TO SOAR WITH PANDEMIC