If a recent research is to be believed, over 80 per cent people in Britain refrain from following self-isolation guidelines when they have Covid-19 symptoms or have been exposed to someone who tested positive. Raising major questions about the effectiveness of England's Test and Trace programme, a study led by King's College London found that the majority were unable to identify the symptoms of Covid-19.
It found that only 18.2 per cent of people who reported having symptoms of Covid in the last seven days had not left home since the symptoms developed, and only 11.9 per cent requested a Covid test. It also found that only 10.9 per cent of people told by the NHS Test and Trace scheme to self-isolate after close contact with a Covid case had done so for 14 days as required.
The researchers said financial support for self-isolation could encourage adherence. They wrote, “Our results suggest that financial constraints and caring responsibilities impeded adherence to self-isolation, intending to share details of close contacts, and quarantining of contacts.” Prime Minister Boris Johnson promised a “world-beating” test and trace system. However, it has been dogged with problems, regularly failing to meet a target of reaching 80 per cent of contacts.
The government introduced fines last week of up to £10,000 for breaking self-isolation rules, and are offering a £500 support payment to low-paid workers who lose income from quarantining.
