Taxi and bus drivers to be given coronavirus tests even if they aren't showing symptoms

Taxi and bus drivers will be given tests for coronavirus even if they do not show symptoms, Boris Johnson announced this afternoon in a move to reduce the death toll among vulnerable workers.

The move comes after 29 of the capital’s bus drivers died from Covid-19 and cabbies were also identified as being among those most at risk of infection.

The Prime Minister told MPs he was extending “targeted testing” to all people in jobs that put them at extra expose from mingling frequently with members of the public, including taxi drivers.

Until now, such workers were only given a test for the virus if they had symptoms of the disease, such as a persistent cough, a temperature or sudden loss of smell.

Addressing the high casualty rate among black and minority ethnic people, Mr Johnson said at weekly questions: “What we are doing first and most directly is to ensure that those high contact professions get expanded and targeted testing now and that’s what I’ve agreed with Dido Harding, from NHS Test and Trace.

“I think that’s the first and most practical step we can take.”

Boris Johnson in the Commons
Sky News

A shocking report by the Office for National Statistics revealed last month that security guards, bus drivers and care workers were among those with the highest death rates from coronavirus.

It disclosed that the disease hit lower-paid workers hardest, rather than white-collar staff who were more able to work from home.

Lowest skilled occupations had the highest rate of death involving Covid-19, with 21.4 deaths per 100,000 males.

Transport for London has lost 43 members of staff so far, but the peak of casualties appeared to have passed. Of these 33 were bus workers.

Among measures used to protect drivers were better screens, suspending fares and the temporary use of middle doors.

Mr Johnson also told MPs he was launching a £63 million local welfare assistance fund for the most vulnerable families hit by the coronavirus crisis.

And he gave a strong hint that he hopes to relax the two-metre rule of social distancing, saying it has to be kept “under constant review” as the R rate of transmission falls.

Empty London during Coronavirus - In pictures

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The hospitality sector has pleaded for it to be reduced to one metre or 1.5 metres to prevent thousands of restaurants and bars going bust.

Mr Johnson stamped on reports that pubs could be allowed to open beer gardens this month, ahead of the July 4 target in the Government’s roadmap.

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