Council leaders warns ‘pingdemic’ could force companies out of business
Broxtowe Borough Council offices
By Anna Whittaker, Local Democracy Reporter
A council leader fears local businesses are going to go bust as they struggle with staff shortages caused by the ‘pingdemic’ self-isolation crisis.
Hundreds of thousands of people across the country are being told to self-isolate every week by the Covid-19 app, leaving organisations with huge manpower shortages.
Today supermarkets warned their shelves were starting to empty because of the number of retail workers in self-isolation.
Speaking at Broxtowe Borough Council’s meeting on July 21, leader Councillor Milan Radulovic said local businesses needed extra support so they do not “go bankrupt or bust”.
He added: “Business people in Broxtowe are expressing their concerns about trying to run their businesses Monday to Friday whilst staff are having to self-isolate, whether this is in education provision, shops, restaurants, cafes or bars.
“It has lead to a serious issue regarding shortage of staff. There is a need for exceptions to be made to self-isolation for vaccinated staff deemed to be critical service deliverers.
“I have sent a letter to Darren Henry MP and Lee Anderson MP urging them to contact the Secretary of State to assist businesses forced to close due to self-isolation rules, in order to prevent them from going bankrupt or bust.”
Cllr Radulovic said he had already had a positive response from Darren Henry MP.
Mr Henry told Cllr Radulovic he had written to the Secretary of State urging them to consider extra grants to help businesses in authorities like Broxtowe.
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