An avoidable crisis: The disproportionate impact of covid-19 on black, asian and minority ethnic communities

This report gives a snapshot of the impact of Covid-19 and the structural inequalities faced by Black, Asian and minority ethnic people so far in the UK. It makes immediate recommendations to protect those most at risk as the pandemic progresses and presents next steps for beginning to tackle the underlying causes.

Covid-19 has thrived on inequalities that have long scarred British society. Black, Asian and minority ethnic people are more likely to work in frontline or shutdown sectors which have been overexposed to Covid-19, more likely to have co-morbidities which increase the risk of serious illness and more likely to face barriers to accessing healthcare. Black, Asian and minority ethnic people have also been subject to disgraceful racism as some have sought to blame different communities for the spread of the virus. 

Find here the first 10 recommendations provided by the paper:

1. The Government must go further and set out an urgent plan for tackling the disproportionate impact of Covid on ethnic minorities this winter
2.  A national strategy to tackle health inequalities
3.  Suspend ‘no recourse to public funds’ rule during the pandemic and initiate a review
4. Ensure Covid-19 cases from the workplace are properly recorded
5. Strengthen Covid-19 risk assessments to ensure consistency and to give workers more confidence
6. Improve access to PPE in all high-risk workplaces
7. Give targeted support to people who are struggling to self-isolate at home
8.  Ensure protection and an end to discrimination for renters
9. Raise the local housing allowance and address the root causes of homelessness 
10. Urgently conduct equality impact assessments on the Government’s support schemes to make sure Black, Asian and minority ethnic people are able to access the support they need