The virus does not distinguish between chief executives and everyone else, says UCL virologist
(Picture: PA Archive)The government has faced criticism over its new rule allowing business executives travelling to England from certain countries to temporarily leave self-isolation.
Deenan Pillay, professor of virology at University College London, said he did not see "much sense" in the sudden change to the rules.
Prof Pillay, who is also a member of the Independent Sage group, pointed out the killer virus does not distinguish between chief executives and everyone else.
He told LBC: “Scientifically, of course, the virus does not distinguish between chief executive and anyone else in terms of transmission.
“Behaviourally, this just adds to the variation and people feeling why should they stick to the rules?
Yet again it is one rule for those at the top and another for everyone else. This makes a total mockery of the sacrifices of the British people during this pandemic and this double standard is an insult to frontline workers that the British people will rightly be disgusted by.
— Angela Rayner (@AngelaRayner) June 29, 2021
“There’s a social fairness issue as well - I know many colleagues who are healthcare workers who have been working for more than a year flat out, desperate to go away on holiday, but cannot do so because they have to quarantine on coming back,”
His comments came after the changes to the rules were announced.
Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy said senior overseas business people would no longer need to isolate when arriving in England if their trip is likely to be of “significant economic benefit to the UK”.
It means, subject to meeting strict criteria, business leaders could “temporarily” leave mandatory quarantine for work activities only.
Those planning to leave their quarantine would need written permission but they would not qualify if their activities could be carried out by someone else or remotely.
Labour’s Angela Rayner also blasted the announcement in a series of tweets on social media.
She tweeted: “Sorry for the unparliamentary language but this just takes the p***.”
Also, Ms Rayner argued it was the lowest paid working people who have got the country through the crisis.
“This is an offensive slap in the face for them and shows this government’s true colours,” she added.
In another tweet, she said it was “yet again” one rule for those at the top and another for everyone else.
