A scheme allowing key workers to avoid Covid self-isolation in England has been expanded following criticism it did not go far enough, a report suggests.
Police, fire, Border Force, transport and freight staff will now be able to join a daily workplace test scheme, whether they are vaccinated or not, the BBC has said.
Some 10,000 supermarket depot and food factory workers will also be eligible, with testing expected to start next week It comes after several sectors warned of staff shortages in recent days, due to the so-called “pingdemic”.
It comes as the NHS warned it is experiencing a “perfect storm” as Covid hospitalisations, high infection rates and record-breaking demand for A&E collide with the holiday season, health leaders have warned. Admissions to England hospitals for Covid patients have risen by more than 30 per cent over the past week, while sites are now being told by NHS England to prepare for a difficult period ahead as the summer crisis worsens.
