Testing rather than self-isolation, say LCCI

Tuesday 27 July 2021

LCCI call for a system where those who receive a notification about the need to self-isolate instead undertake daily COVID-19 testing.

Richard Burge, Chief Executive of London Chamber of Commerce and Industry said: “Despite exemptions for a limited amount of businesses and staff, many businesses face a continuation of staff requirement to self-isolate for more weeks to come. The situation may well worsen if the case rate grows as predicted.

“Government must immediately put in place a system where those who receive a notification about the need to self-isolate instead undertake lateral flow tests every day for 10 days, and apply at an appropriate point for a PCR test to confirm continual negative tests. This should be mandatory and apply to employers and employees in all businesses sectors, including the self-employed and sole traders.

“A University of Oxford study found that daily testing of secondary school students who were in contact with someone with COVID-19 was just as effective in controlling school transmission as the current 10-day contact isolation policy.”

ENDS