The UK Warehousing Association (UKWA) has appealed for exemption from self-isolation for warehouse workers.
Clare Bottle, who joined as the new chief executive for the UKWA earlier this summer, has written to Rachel Maclean, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State at the Department for Transport, to make the case for logistics workers as the ‘pingdemic’ continues to cause supply shortages in retail.
“During the earlier phases of the Covid-19 pandemic logistics workers, including warehouse workforces, benefitted from “essential worker” status, which helped our members and the wider logistics community to maintain critical supply chains, including food and pharmaceutical supplies,” said Bottle. “We believe that exemption from self-isolation should now apply to this sector by default, which would be in line with the earlier position of the government and straight forward to implement.”
“While we welcome the news that supermarket workers and food manufacturers will be now exempt from quarantine, warehouse workers form a critical part of supply chains not only for food, but for pharmaceuticals and other essential supplies too; Although members have been affected to different degrees, some have reported up to 40% of staff self-isolating. Therefore we’re also seeking urgent clarification from the government on the process for individuals and businesses to apply for exemption.”
