Tony Blair calls for end of quarantine for double-jabbed Brits, in order to avoid ‘ping-demic’

Former Prime Minister Tony Blair has called on the UK government to review the enforcing of quarantine for UK residents who have had two vaccine doses.

From 19 July, dubbed ‘Freedom Day’, England will ease the vast majority of restrictions and face masks will become ‘advised’ as opposed to mandatory.

However, many are concerned about another wave of Covid when the easing of restrictions take place as people are still forced to isolate if they catch the virus, despite having two jabs.

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This requirement is despite research proving symptoms and risk of ill-health is much lower in those who have received their double jab.

‘Two contradictory directions’

Blair has now describe the governments current approach as “not rational” and was in danger of losing public support.

“We’re at risk of moving in two contradictory directions,” he told BBC Radio 4’s The World at One

“On the one hand we’re going to open everything up, free restriction altogether, and on the other hand we’ve still got this pinging track and trace system where people have got to go into complete isolation if they’re pinged in circumstances where probably the vast majority of those people do not need to do so.”

The end of isolation for fully vaccinated people is coming to an end, but not until 16 August. Those under the age of 18 will also not be required to be isolated if they come into contact with someone who has the virus.

There has been a mass exodus of people from registering on the NHS’s track and trace app, amid fears the growing number of cases could lead to them being pinged for merely being in the same space as someone who later tests positive for Covid.

‘Not rational’

Mr Blair said he understood why people were now choosing to delete the NHS Covid app from their mobile phones rather than risk getting pinged.

“The system’s not rational and therefore I understand why people are doing it because they’re thinking this is ridiculous,” he said.

“If I’m not pinged I’m able to go into a pub, order a drink, mix with people without any restrictions whatever. In another part of the woods if I’m pinged, even though I’m testing and I’m vaccinated, I’ve got to go into isolation.”

Between the dates of 19 July and 22 August, it has been estimated that over 4.5 million people could be ‘pinged’.

Blair also made comments about the need for Boris Johnson having to isolate after coming into contact with Sajid Javid, who has tested positive for the virus.

“I don’t want the Prime Minister of the country to be in isolation at the moment. I need him at his desk doing his job,” he said.

“He’s double-vaccinated, he’s actually had Covid, he’s testing and presumably the tests are coming back negative. The point is to do this for everyone.”