End of free Covid tests will harm workers, Union warns

Ending free tests and self-isolation rules, along with no masks, represents a “triple whammy” for Covid safety in stores, according to Usdaw Shoppers Union.
It comes after news that government ministers are planning to stop supplies of coronavirus tests to universities in England, in the first case of ending the mass distribution of free lateral flow testing kits before dropping all remaining Covid restrictions.

The cabinet is said to be ‘split’ on its covid strategy and the future of testing, according to reports by the Guardian.

Meanwhile, Usdaw has called for a new deal on Statutory Sick Pay. They are calling for an improvement of SSP “so it reflects average pay”, rather than the current £96.35 per week.

Furthermore, it is calling for SSP to low paid workers – those earning below the lower earnings limit of £120 per week currently do not qualify for SSP, and for the Government to “commit to paying SSP from day one for all absences, removing any reference to three waiting days”.

Paddy Lillis, Usdaw general secretary, said: “We can see that rates of coronavirus infections and deaths are thankfully in overall decline, but they are still very high and it is still too soon to be lifting all Covid safety measures. Ending free tests and the self-isolation rules will risk more infected people circulating in public and entering shops. Coupled with last month’s unnecessary end to mandatory face coverings in stores, that leaves shopworkers at greater risk of infection.

“More people catching Covid will mean more sickness absence, reduced staffing levels and disruption in workplaces. Being ill has a huge financial impact on low-paid workers, as too many are forced to live on Statutory Sick Pay of just £96.35 per week. Trade unions secured SSP from day one for Covid absences during the pandemic. This must continue and be extended to all sickness absences, along with sick pay reflecting average pay and being available to all workers.”

He added: “We are also concerned that charging for tests will price out poorer people and low-paid workers, particularly if rumours of £100 per test are correct. This is especially worrying given today’s research, led by the University of Manchester, revealing that the impact of the pandemic on the most deprived areas in England and Wales has been even more pronounced than first thought.

“Covid-19 is still very much out there. The Prime Minister appears to be determined to announce a lifting of all safety measures next week, but we hope he carefully considers the evidence, learns the lessons of the past and takes a more cautious approach. We have seen before what happens when so-called ‘freedoms’ are put ahead of public health and workers’ safety.”