LONDON -- The British government said Tuesday it will ease coronavirus quarantine rules for thousands more essential workers -- including prison guards, veterinarians and garbage collectors -- in an attempt to end staff shortages that are hobbling parts of the economy.
Last week, the government said food and transport workers, border staff, police and firefighters could opt for the daily tests. Now it has expanded that system to more jobs, including refuse collectors, prison staff, veterinarians, tax collectors and defense workers.One person "pinged" by the app is Prime Minister Boris Johnson, who had to self-isolate after Health Secretary Sajid Javid tested positive this month. Johnson's 10-day spell in isolation ended at midnight Monday.
Britain removed most remaining pandemic restrictions, including mandatory mask rules and capacity limits, on July 19, despite several weeks of rising infections driven by the highly contagious delta variant of the virus.