Covid: 10m people ‘may have to isolate this summer’ as minister admits self-isolation rules ‘not a perfect solution’

A Cabinet Minister has admitted that delaying the easing of self-isolation rules for coronavirus contacts until a month after England’s other restrictions are lifted was “not a perfect solution”.

It comes as data analysis by The Guardian showed that two million people could contract Covid this summer, potentially meaning up to 10 million must isolate in just six weeks.

We want to hear from you: let us know what you think about this story and be part of the debate in our comments section below

At a glance: 5 key points

- Business Secretary Kwasi Kwarteng insisted the Government has to strike a balance between reopening the economy and curbing the spread of Covid-19

- From August 16, people in England who have received both doses of a vaccine – as well as the under-18s – will no longer have to self-isolate if they have been in contact with someone who tests positive for Covid-19.

- But restrictions on businesses and social gatherings will be removed at Step 4 of the road map, expected on July 19, raising fears that increased cases could lead to millions being forced to spend 10 days at home.

- Hospitality chiefs said the delay could lead to staff shortages, warning that the current system is already causing “carnage” and unless the Government moves quicker it risks “the summer being cancelled and vast swathes of the population unnecessarily confined to their homes”.

- Ministers were warned that immediately lifting the rule that contacts must isolate on 19 July would result in cases being up to 25% higher than waiting another month, The Guardian reports.

What’s been said

“With cases predicted to continue to rise, this means that hospitality’s recovery after 16 months of lockdown and severely disrupted trading will be harmed.”

Kate Nicholls, boss of trade body UKHospitality

“Why would you even go to a pub (after July 19)? This makes it worse.”

“I wouldn’t go to a pub that wasn’t still having six around a table and social distancing, otherwise you run the risk of everyone in the pub being pinged and locked down.”

Former Tory leader Sir Iain Duncan Smith

“You can’t have it both ways. On the one hand we’re saying we want to reopen, but we’re giving a measure of precaution in terms of delaying the lifting of self-isolation restrictions.

“It’s a balance, it’s not a perfect solution. But on the one hand we’re saying that we can reopen and on the other we’re saying that we want to give a little bit more protection in terms of the self-isolation rules.”

Business Secretary Kwasi Kwarteng

Background

Health Secretary Sajid Javid has warned there could be 100,000 cases a day by the summer, and free market think tank the Adam Smith Institute predicted that 4.6 million people a week could be forced to self-isolate as a result.

Meanwhile, Heathrow is to provide fast-track lanes for fully-vaccinated arrivals as the airline industry steps up pressure on ministers to open up quarantine-free travel to amber destinations.

Under a pilot programme to be launched this week, passengers from selected destinations will be able to upload their coronavirus vaccination certificate before boarding.

On arrival at the airport, they will then be directed to dedicated lanes at the border to speed their passage through immigration.

A message from the editor:

Thank you for reading. NationalWorld is a new national news brand, produced by a team of journalists, editors, video producers and designers who live and work across the UK. Find out more about who’s who in the team, and our editorial values. We want to start a community among our readers, so please follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram, and keep the conversation going.