By Ben Kerrigan-
Boris Johnson is facing a backclash with MPs over a six-week wait for the ending of self-isolation rules.
Conservative MPs and business leaders have reacted angrily after Health Secretary Sajid Javid said children and fully vaccinated adults will have to follow current self-isolation rules until 16 August. The anger follows Mr Sajid’s declaration that those who are fully vaccinated will not have to self isolate upon returning from holiday or coming into contact with those from who have been infected with the virus.
With the latest figures from NHS Test and Trace suggesting that an average of about three close contacts are being identified for every confirmed case at present, it means such a spike could lead to substantial increases in the number of people who have to self-isolate.
The UK hospitality industry claims it faces “carnage” because its mostly young workforce is not fully vaccinated, with staff forced to isolate despite not working the same shift as colleagues testing positive. Boris Johnson has confirmed Sajid Javid’s announcement of the substitution of stringent rules for guidance as from July 19, but has also said that there will significant rise in infections and hospitalizations following the full opening of the economy, and that we will have to learn to live with the virus.
The PM is appearing before the Liaison Committee – made up of the MPs who chair departmental select committees – for the third time this year, after tetchy sessions on his lockdown policy in January and March. They will be challenging apparent discrepancies in the rules surrounding self isolation for those fully vaccinated.
The Liaison Committee hearing also comes less than 24 hours after a leading watchdog launched an investigation over the use of private emails by Mr Hancock and other ministers at the Department of Health and Social Care.
Launching the investigation, Information Commissioner Elizabeth Denham warned that anyone who “deliberately, altered or concealed” information could face criminal prosecution.
She said reports that ministers and senior officials were using private emails was concerning because the public would feel there may be a loss of transparency about decisions affecting them and their loved ones.
One of the ministers accused of using private emails is Lord Bethell, who is also facing a probe by the House of Lords Commissioner for Standards for sponsoring a parliamentary pass for Mr Hancock’s lover Gina Coladangelo. There is a feeling among critics and members of the public that many of those in government have had their hands in dodgy dealings in relation to the vaccine and PPE deals, explaining some of the reasons for the use of private emails, against established parliamentary rules.
Mr Johnson will be quizzed on COVID and the secondary impacts of the pandemic, such as the massive backlog on cancer treatment.
The prime minister is also likely to be quizzed on Matt Hancock’s humiliating exit from government and Dominic Cummings’ allegations about his handling of the pandemic.
Earlier, leading the backlash against a six-week wait before self-isolation rules are lifted on 16 August, UK Hospitality chief Kate Nicholls said the health secretary’s announcement “doesn’t go far enough, quickly enough”.
She added: “The sector is experiencing severe staff shortages, compounded massively by the absence of team members who have been told to isolate despite not having shared shifts with colleagues who tested positive.
“Around 60% of our staff are aged between 15 to 34 and the vast majority will not have had the opportunity to receive both jabs by the 16 August.”