Grant Shapps has denied claims that staff at Covid-hit DVLA offices in Swansea have been told to turn off their NHS Test and Trace apps.
The Transport Secretary told MPs he takes the severe outbreak of coronavirus at the UK Government’s Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency “extremely seriously”, but that “no request” for workers to turn off their tracing apps has been made.
It comes as ministers were urged to intervene after 500 cases at the Welsh offices left staff scared to work.
On Wednesday, the DVLA confirmed the death of a member of its staff with the PCS union stating it was “deeply concerned” by the outbreak.
As ministers prepare to decide on mandatory hotel quarantine for arrivals to the UK, a leading Tory MP who is chair of the Transport Select Committee has warned of “absolute chaos” were the policy to apply to all travellers rather than only those from high-risk areas. On Monday, Boris Johnson said: "We need a solution that gives us the maximum possible protection against reinfection from abroad.” That indicates either complete closure of the.
The Railway Magazine
Photo: Eurostar
The UK and French governments must make a joint commitment to support Eurostar during the pandemic, according to the Transport Select Committee chairman.
Eurostar has been hit hard by the
COVID-19 pandemic, with a 95% drop in passenger numbers. The firm is running just one daily train in each direction between London and Paris, and between London and Amsterdam via Brussels.
That is a stark change from before the pandemic, when Eurostar were operating more than 50 daily services.
Storm Christoph: ‘Terrifying consequences’ of weather on railway
The Rail, Maritime and Transport union (RMT) has warned of the severe consequences that adverse weather could have on rail services.
Photo: Eurostar
The UK and French governments must make a joint commitment to support Eurostar during the pandemic, according to the Transport Select Committee chairman.
Eurostar has been hit hard by the
COVID-19 pandemic, with a 95% drop in passenger numbers. The firm is running just one daily train in each direction between London and Paris, and between London and Amsterdam via Brussels.
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That is a stark change from before the pandemic, when Eurostar were operating more than 50 daily services.
Storm Christoph: ‘Terrifying consequences’ of weather on railway
The Rail, Maritime and Transport union (RMT) has warned of the severe consequences that adverse weather could have on rail services.
Plea for Eurostar cash lifeline to keep cross-Channel train service on track
Operator, which ran more than 50 daily services before the pandemic, has claimed it is “fighting for its survival”
A Eurostar train in St Pancras (Image: Eurostar)
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The UK and French governments must support struggling Eurostar after a dramatic fall in passengers during the pandemic a top politician has warned.