Covid-19 Update

Lord Campbell-Savours Excerpts

Wednesday 10th November 2021 Lords Chamber

[Lord Campbell-Savours (Lab)]

My Lords, if, after Friday, without the knowledge of management as to vaccination, an unvaccinated person working in a care home knowingly or unknowingly transmits the virus to a care home resident, does not the act of transmission constitute a criminal act under a legal definition of assault? Would not an action, whether civil or criminal, be against the care home worker personally and not the care home itself, which would be an innocent party? This is an important issue and, if the Minister feels unable to answer me today, perhaps he could write to me.

--- Later in debate ---

[Lord Kamall (Con)]

Whenever I have visited hospitals during the lockdowns or restrictions, we have sought advice from the staff around us. We have asked what measures are appropriate and whether we should keep face coverings on at all times. There have been times when they have said that, in particular areas, you can take your mask off. I was not at the visit yesterday, as I am sure the noble Lord will acknowledge—in fact, I was here answering questions—so I cannot go into detail. However, having visited hospitals myself, I am aware that you go in wearing a mask by default, but there are times when staff say, “In this area, you can take it off”.

[Lord Campbell-Savours (Lab)]

Is not the answer to the question asked by my noble friend that the Prime Minister was acting irresponsibly and was wrong?

[Lord Kamall (Con)]

I am afraid that I was not there, so I do not know what advice he had been given at that moment by that particular trust. Noble Lords can do trial by TV as much as they like, but while you go in with a mask on by default, when you are there with workers from the NHS who are often giving advice, they may say at times, “In this part, it’s fine. You do not need to do that.” That may well have been the case, but I am afraid that I do not know the details.