MARKS and Spencer is set to reduce hours as the pingdemic staff crisis means that shelves could be left empty, it has been reported.
The retailer warned of a “major disruption” to food supplies just hours before the PM is set to ease most of the pandemic restrictions.
A senior Marks and Spencer executive told The Times that there won’t be sufficient staff to open shops because of the number of people self-isolating.
“Our Covid cases are roughly doubling every week and the pinging level is about three to one of Covid cases, so we’re seeing that growing exponentially,” he said.
Steve Rowe, the chief executive of Marks & Spencer, also said the staff shortage might mean that stores will have to reduce opening hours.
“If there’s shortages we’ll have to manage it by changing hours of stores, reducing hours,” Mr Rowe said.
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He added: “Where the industry will see the pain is in the supply chain because logistics runs tight anyway to be efficient.”
This “pain in the supply chain” could mean empty shelves for Brits.
The pingdemic saw 1.8 million Brits told to self-isolate last week.
Factoring in close contacts, it could mean six million at home by next week.
M&S has also warned that late deliveries, due to a shortage of drivers, has led to an increase in food waste.
On Friday Trending In The News reported that thousands of meat factory staff have been forced off work after being alerted by the NHS Test and Trace app.
One in ten at meat factories is now off work. Nick Allen, of the British Meat Processors Association, told Trending In The News: “People are going to find choice limited as the BBQ season unfolds.
“With so many staff off, producers have to cut down on ranges. If you’re happy to throw any burger or banger on the barbie, you might be fine. But if you like a nice Cumberland sausage or a fancy burger it won’t be as simple.”
‘ESCALATION’
Some ports have up to a tenth of staff off. Mr Allen added: “Supermarkets rely on daily deliveries. The whole supply chain will be challenged over the next two weeks.”
The pingdemic has also hit bin collections, trains, car factories, pubs, restaurants, hotels and shops.
The wider impact on business has led to new calls for the Government to ease isolation rules before August 16.
Unions warned up to a fifth of workers in some firms are having to self-isolate.
Stephen Phipson, of manufacturing organisation Make UK, said: “This problem has escalated significantly over the last week.”
The CBI’s Lord Bilimoria said the rules were devastating the economy, adding: “We can’t wait until August 16.” He wants daily tests instead.
But Downing Street warned changes are unlikely for months. The PM’s spokesman still advised everyone to isolate if pinged, adding: “We keep things under review but the app is doing what it is designed to do.”
Health Secretary Sajid Javid has said NHS staff will be exempt to prevent hospitals from grinding to a halt.
A SAGE adviser warned on Saturday that Britain’s third Covid wave will last through the summer and into the autumn with daily infections rising to 100,000 in weeks.
Prof Edmunds warned cases could reach 100,000 a day within weeks, echoing Health secretary Sajid Javid’s prediction in the House of Commons a fortnight ago.
He added: “We are at about 50,000 a day now. The epidemic has been doubling roughly every two weeks and so if we allow things as they are for another couple of weeks you could expect it to get to 100,000 cases a day.”
