• Privacy policy
  • T&C’s
  • About Us
    • FAQ
    • Meet the Team
  • Contact us
TLE ONLINE SHOP!
  • TLE
  • News
  • Politics
  • Business
  • Sport
  • Opinion
  • Elevenses
  • Entertainment
    • All Entertainment
    • Film
    • Lifestyle
      • Horoscopes
    • Lottery Results
      • Lotto
      • Thunderball
      • Set For Life
      • EuroMillions
  • Food
    • All Food
    • Recipes
  • Property
  • Travel
  • Tech/Auto
No Result
View All Result
The London Economic
SUPPORT THE LONDON ECONOMIC
NEWSLETTER
  • TLE
  • News
  • Politics
  • Business
  • Sport
  • Opinion
  • Elevenses
  • Entertainment
    • All Entertainment
    • Film
    • Lifestyle
      • Horoscopes
    • Lottery Results
      • Lotto
      • Thunderball
      • Set For Life
      • EuroMillions
  • Food
    • All Food
    • Recipes
  • Property
  • Travel
  • Tech/Auto
No Result
View All Result
The London Economic
No Result
View All Result
Home News

Covid: Earlier lockdown would have saved bus drivers’ lives

UCL’s report found that London bus drivers were three times more likely to die from Covid-19 than the UK average.

Joe Mellor by Joe Mellor
2021-03-19 14:36
in News
Credit;PA

Credit;PA

FacebookTwitterLinkedinEmailWhatsapp

An earlier lockdown would have saved the lives of London bus drivers, an independent review has concluded.

The University College London (UCL) study found that some of the deaths of workers infected by Covid-19 in March 2020 “would not have happened” if movement restrictions and measures to stop the spread of the virus were imposed sooner.

The research, commissioned by Transport for London (TfL), focused on the 27 London bus drivers who had been working in February 2020 and died from coronavirus between March and May.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced the first national lockdown on May 23 2020, with people only allowed to leave home for limited reasons such as to work or buy food.

UCL’s report found that London bus drivers were three times more likely to die from Covid-19 than the UK average.

It also noted that safety measures such as hand sanitisers, enhanced cleaning and covering holes in protective screens were introduced too late for many of those who died.

Moved quickly

TfL insisted it “moved quickly” to ensure bus companies took action to stop the spread of the virus.

RelatedPosts

UK has become the ‘sick man of Europe’ – reports

Daily Mail bemoans foreigners for not coming here and taking our jobs

Trooping the Colour: ‘Multiple injuries’ reported as stand COLLAPSES

Teacher asks kids what they would do if they were royals for one day – these are the heartwarming responses

The report recommended that all bus drivers need “continued protection” through social distancing and mask-wearing.

It also called for early interventions to reduce ill health, financial support for drivers off work due to having Covid-19 symptoms to be maintained, and a review of the impact of working patterns on fatigue.

Professor Sir Michael Marmot, director of UCL’s Institute of Health Equity, said: “It is clear that an earlier introduction of the lockdown on 23 March 2020 would have saved lives.

“However, we do not know whether an earlier introduction of workplace preventative measures would have reduced Covid-19 infection and mortality in addition to the lockdown.

“We know pre-existing health conditions and ethnic composition play a role in Covid-19 infection and mortality.

“The UCL Institute of Health Equity therefore recommends implementing a number of workplace changes to reduce exposure to Covid-19, prevent avoidable ill health and improve the wellbeing of bus drivers.”

Awful virus

TfL’s chief health, safety and environment officer Lilli Matson commented: “This awful virus has taken much-loved colleagues from us, leaving devastated family and friends behind.

“It is our duty to do everything humanly possible to keep bus drivers safe in this pandemic. This report helps to reinforce what we are doing and shows where we can redouble our efforts.

“We will work closely with the bus operators to ensure that those suffering or at risk from coronavirus will continue to receive support, with vulnerable drivers having to shield being able to stay at home, with sick pay for those with symptoms and access to a range of services.

“Further measures to improve ventilation on buses are being introduced, and we are working to drive a more proactive approach to drivers’ health and wellbeing.

“In addition, we continue with our strong measures to ensure social distancing and the wearing of face coverings, and with our wider radical work alongside the mayor to improve London’s air quality.”

Related:

Since you are here

Since you are here, we wanted to ask for your help.

Journalism in Britain is under threat. The government is becoming increasingly authoritarian and our media is run by a handful of billionaires, most of whom reside overseas and all of them have strong political allegiances and financial motivations.

Our mission is to hold the powerful to account. It is vital that free media is allowed to exist to expose hypocrisy, corruption, wrongdoing and abuse of power. But we can't do it without you.

If you can afford to contribute a small donation to the site it will help us to continue our work in the best interests of the public. We only ask you to donate what you can afford, with an option to cancel your subscription at any point.

To donate or subscribe to The London Economic, click here.

The TLE shop is also now open, with all profits going to supporting our work.

The shop can be found here.

You can also SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER .

Subscribe to our Newsletter

View our  Privacy Policy and Terms & Conditions

Trending on TLE

  • All
  • trending
Abdollah

‘Rescue us’: Afghan teacher begs UK to help him escape Taliban

CHOMSKY: “If Corbyn had been elected, Britain would be pursuing a much more sane course”

What If We Got Rid Of Prisons?

More from TLE

Baby gorilla takes first steps at Blackpool zoo

Ex-Trump aide Steve Bannon arrested over border wall fraud

This may be Donald Trump’s dumbest tweet yet

Meet Britain’s oldest amateur tennis ace still serving aces at an unbelievable age

How To Make: Corn Fritters

Probably the coolest company in the country…

Pervert caught in the act watching ‘fat porn’ on library computer

Tory MPs voted by proxy on EU citizens’ future in order to catch England v Denmark at Wembley

Britain’s first guide HORSE given the chop – after it unexpectedly grew too BIG

Alan Shearer words of warning to Steve Bruce over Newcastle United job

About Us

TheLondonEconomic.com – Open, accessible and accountable news, sport, culture and lifestyle.

Read more

© 2019 thelondoneconomic.com - TLE, International House, 24 Holborn Viaduct, London EC1A 2BN. All Rights Reserved.




No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • News
  • Politics
  • Business
  • Sport
  • Entertainment
  • Lifestyle
  • Food
  • Travel
  • More…
    • Elevenses
    • Opinion
    • Property
    • Tech & Auto
  • About Us
    • Meet the Team
    • Privacy policy
  • Contact us

© 2019 thelondoneconomic.com - TLE, International House, 24 Holborn Viaduct, London EC1A 2BN. All Rights Reserved.