The policy, which would cost about $ 2 billion a month, will be designed to overcome people’s fears of financial loss if they are forced to separate themselves by positive testing, according to a January 19 article obtained by the Guardian and confirmed by someone familiar with the matter.
UK government officials have suggested they pay people to stay home if they are diagnosed with coronavirus, amid concerns many fail to test or comply with lockout rules.
While the plan has not been granted final approval, the proposed government bill proposes to pay 500 pounds ($ 685). Currently only those on low incomes receive support at this level when they are told to separate.
England does not comply with Johnson’s Lockdown orders
The policy, which would cost about $ 2 billion a month, will be designed to overcome people’s fears of financial loss if they are forced to separate themselves by a positive test, according to a Jan 19 article obtained by the Guardian and confirmed by an acquaintance.
Environment Secretary George Eustice called the idea “speculative” and said “no decisions have been made” when asked about the proposal in a press conference on Friday. Prime Minister Boris Johnson will hold a press conference at 5pm. on friday.
‘Big Costs’
“We want to improve the levels of autonomy in people who have been in contact with someone who has been diagnosed with it, for example, and we want people to get that test if they have symptoms of the virus,” Eustice told LBC radio.
The UK is in its third national closure with the highest death toll in Europe. The latest figures show that 94,580 people have died in the UK within 28 days of testing for Covid-19.
The desire to avoid isolation is a major barrier to applying for testing and only 17% of people with symptoms come forward for testing, according to a Jan 19 policy paper.
Breaking the Rules
Ministers have been deeply concerned about the lawlessness by a handful of people and on Thursday announced new 800-pound fines on anyone attending a house party.
Johnson also pointed out that the closure could last until the summer, despite being under pressure from members of his Conservative Party with a plan to reduce closures as soon as the government meets its goal of vaccinating 15 million high-risk people. Johnson wants to achieve that goal on February 15.
The restrictions threaten to infiltrate the rest of the economy, after a major collapse in three centuries.