THE government’s plan to end isolation laws and mass free testing has been described as a “loss of freedom” for society’s most vulnerable people.
Caroline Lucas, Green MP for Brighton Pavilion, slammed Boris Johnson’s “living with Covid” plans which have also come under fire from the British Medical Association (BMA).
The plans start to come into effect on Thursday, February 24, with people who test positive for Covid-19 no longer legally required to self-isolate.
But they will still be advised to stay at home and avoid contact with others for at least five full days.
- READ MORE: ‘What on earth is this government thinking?’ – Caroline Lucas hits out at rumoured Covid plans
Contact tracing will also end, so fully-vaccinated people in close contacts and those under 18 will no longer need to test daily for seven days.
Ms Lucas described the plans as “perverse” and that they did not allow for people to take personal responsibility by being able to test for free.
She was referring to the next phase of the government’s plans from April 1 which will see free testing for the general public end. Testing will be targeted towards the most vulnerable.
Ms Lucas said in the House of Commons yesterday: “Living with Covid does not mean ignoring it and Boris Johnson will be aware that lifting of restrictions today flies in the face of advice from many NHS leaders and health experts, including the BMA and World Health Organisation.
“And saying everyone should take personal responsibility while at the same time taking away the very means that would allow them to take that personal responsibility is utterly perverse.
“So what would he say to those of my constituents, particularly those who are clinically extremely vulnerable for whom his freedom day is a day of profound fear and loss of freedom?”
- READ MORE: Evicted beach hut owner happy to have belongings back but demands return of 'mermaid haven'
The 61-year-old questioned the Prime Minister on why carers up and down the country will not be able to get free tests to ensure they protect the vulnerable people they look after.
She said: “It’s not just an issue of free testing for people in care homes, it’s a question of free testing at the very least for the almost seven million carers up and down this country?”
Boris Johnson said in response that vulnerable people should still be "treated with caution".
He said: “On the clinically and extremely vulnerable, I think it is important to remember that they do have, and we will continue as we have throughout the pandemic to look after them with all the therapeutics that we can, with vaccines where that’s appropriate.
“As the house knows, the shielding programme ended in September, but I think what people need to recognise with the clinically extremely vulnerable is that we should treat them with caution, just as anybody with any respiratory disease should treat the clinically extremely vulnerable with caution, respect them and act with responsibility.”
Other plans from April 1 urge people with Covid symptoms to “exercise personal responsibility” when deciding to stay at home. The government’s guidance on Covid passports will end and it will no longer recommend venues using the NHS Covid pass for entry.
You can read more about the changes here.
Have you got a story for us? Email news@theargus.co.uk or contact us here.
Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram to keep up with all the latest news.
Sign up to our newsletter to get updates sent straight to your inbox.
You can also call us on 01273 021 400.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel