Cases rise across the UK, as new isolation exemptions for food sector workers are introduced
The UK is facing rising Covid-19 cases, with the Office for National Statistics (ONS) estimating that more than 800,000 people had the virus in the past week. Cases increased in all four nations, with some regions experiencing a potential plateau. The ONS also provided estimates for Covid rates across different regions and age groups in England.
The British Medical Association (BMA) has called for an urgent rethink of the government’s Covid strategy, saying the current approach is allowing the virus to spread unchecked.
In a move to address staff shortages, particularly in the food industry, Environment Secretary George Eustice announced that more than 10,000 food sector workers would be exempt from self-isolation rules. However, these exemptions will not extend to other sectors, despite concerns from industry leaders about the “cumbersome” new rules.
