Going to work with Covid

By Tsvetelina Stancheva

Since all Covid restrictions were lifted due to the Government’s “living with Covid” plan on February 24th, people can travel, go to work, and resume their regular activities, even if they have tested positive for Covid-19. 

Can you spot the infected?

Some people are very concerned that the restrictions were lifted too soon, as going to work not knowing if the people around you are infected is risky. Since it’s not mandatory to wear any face masks or do lateral flow tests, it’s impossible to know who might have the virus.

This is especially risky for those with compromised immune systems.

“I cannot feel safe knowing that we are in contact with so many people daily and we don’t wear masks or test ourselves. I’ve got two children at home, and I am always buying my own tests and trying to test myself before getting home,” said Ian Macaraig, a chef at The Brass Rail, Selfridges.

The father of two also added that it’s not even about companies and their own policies but the government’s decisions. He cannot understand why wearing a mask or doing a three-minute test is such a drama for some people.

Restrictions are unnecessary

Others say that they are glad that the whole Covid situation is “over”. Many are embracing the “coming back to normal” life and not looking back. Those are the people who don’t mind going to work with Covid, and are not worried if their colleagues are infected. 

“I really do not care about Covid anymore. I am tired of all this testing, masking, and sanitising. People should embrace the freedom we have been given back. After all, we do not know if it will be taken away from us again and for how long,” said Natalia Stefancova, 26, a retail worker from Selfridges. 

Since the restrictions were lifted, Covid cases have started increasing once again. The UK reached a record 226,524 cases this week, as weekly infections have increased by 37per cent. The UK official death toll reached 163,679, according to the Evening Standart.

Stay alert

“If I had one advice for people who are not being careful anymore it is: do not think that is over. We’ve got to be careful, especially now with the upcoming summer. Numbers are rising and people do not care anymore. Please stay alert and stay safe,” said Elena Vendetti, 41, a pharmacist at Boots, Oxford Street.

The government still advises people to stay home even though they are not required by law to self-isolate when positive anymore. Also, if you experience any of the main symptoms, their advice is to order PCR test to check if you are infected. According to the nhs.uk this reduces the chance of passing Covid on to others.

“If you have COVID-19, you should stay at home while you’re infectious to others,” it says on the Gov.uk website.

“This can be for up to 10 days from when your symptoms start. Many people will no longer be infectious to others after 5 days.”