Pingdemic: Government urged to expand self-isolation exemption list

MPs and industry leaders have called on the government to include supermarket staff, lorry drivers and other essential workers on the self-isolation exemption list to prevent supply chains from buckling under the weight of the “pingdemic”.

Shelves across the UK have been depleted this week as a result of workers at each stage of the supermarket supply chain having to self-isolate after being pinged by the NHS Covid-19 app.

Yesterday, several of the country’s leading supermarkets apologised to customers after staff shortages resulted in shelves lying empty.

Read more: Pingdemic: MPs slam “lack of clarity” on self-isolation advice

Waitrose put up signs in its stores apologising for the “limited choice” because of “nationwide supply issues”, while Tesco said it was “working hard to resolve” issues with its supply chain.

Andrew Opie, director of food and sustainability at the British Retail Consortium, said: “The ongoing ‘pingdemic’ is putting increasing pressure on retailers’ ability to maintain opening hours and keep shelves stocked. Government needs to act fast.”

MPs urged the government to include supermarket workers and lorry drivers on its list of people that can apply for an exemption from self-isolation rules if they come into contact with someone who tests positive for coronavirus.

Downing Street said the self-isolation exemption list likely to remain small and that supermarket workers and lorry drivers are unlikely to be included.

Read more: ‘I told staff to delete the app’: Hospitality reacts to pingdemic crisis