Coronavirus: NHS paramedic ‘evicted by landlady’ on WhatsApp over fears he’ll contract virus

‘I now won’t be able to work my 12-hour night shift tomorrow,’ Joseph Hoar says

An NHS paramedic has revealed he was evicted from his home by a landlady who feared he would contract coronavirus.

Joseph Hoar, a paramedic for South Western Ambulance Service, tweeted on Saturday night a screen grab of a message he received over WhatsApp.

“Joe on reflection I am now super nervous about having someone from the NHS here,” the message read.

“As it’s only a matter of time before [you are] in contact with the virus. Can [you] organise an Airbnb and collect your stuff tomorrow.

“Sorry I normally would never do this but it’s not worth the risk. I’ll charge you for the week and refund everything. Hope [you] understand.”

Mr Hoar said despite finding new accommodation thanks to a colleague, the eviction meant he would be forced to cancel his 12-hour shift on Sunday.

“I now won’t be able to work my 12hr night shift tomorrow, so that means one less paramedic on the road. At these unprecedented times we need our NHS demand more than ever,” he tweeted.

It is unclear if the landlady lives with Mr Hoar, who has been contacted for comment by The Independent.

The post prompted a flood of responses on social media, with a number of well-wishers offering Mr Hoar help.

“We have a spare room here if you need it. Free of charge and as long as you need. Thank you for all you’re doing,” one user wrote.

Another who said he was a lawyer tweeted: “Stay put. Do your important work. If you need further assistance, legally, for no charge, let me know.”

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Others pointed out the government has suspended evictions from social or privately rented accommodation in order to protect tenants during the coronavirus crisis.

Under the emergency legislation, all new evictions will be stopped and no new possession proceedings will be permitted during the period of national emergency.

The apparent eviction came amid warnings by the government the NHS was in danger of being “overwhelmed” by the coronavirus outbreak.

Boris Johnson urged the British public not to visit their parents on Mother’s Day, saying the nation was ”only a matter of weeks — two or three — behind Italy”, where officials reported 793 deaths across a 24 hour period on Saturday.