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Covid: Shoppers told there is no need to panic buy Covid: Shoppers told there is no need to panic buy
(32 minutes later)
The boss of Iceland has said there is no need for people to start panic buying, but has warned that the rising number of retail workers being forced to self-isolate risks shutting shops. Supermarkets have warned the rising number of retail workers being forced to self-isolate is beginning to affect the availability of some products.
Managing director Richard Walker said photographs of empty shelves in supermarkets were "isolated incidents". The Co-op said it was "running low on some products", whilst Iceland said the rising number of retail workers affected risks shutting shops.
While there were "some availability issues", he said, "our supply chains are resilient". However, Iceland urged shoppers not to panic buy, saying it was not necessary.
But he said the government must make retail staff exempt from isolating. Business Secretary Kwasi Kwateng said the government was "concerned about instances of shortages",
Iceland, M&S and other businesses said growing numbers of staff have been "pinged" by the NHS Covid-19 app which means they have to self-isolate for 10 days. Businesses want people who have been double vaccinated or have daily tests to be able to return to work. "I don't want people to get the impression that every shelf in every supermarket is bare - that is not the case but we are certainly concerned about instances of shortages, we are looking at the supply chains of critical industries and we are reviewing that situation," he added.
However, the government says it is crucial people isolate when asked do so to stop the spread of the virus. Supermarkets, and other sectors including hospitality and transport have said growing numbers of staff have been "pinged" by the NHS Covid-19 App which means they have to self-isolate for 10 days. Some companies have reduced opening hours to cope with the staff shortages or shut parts of the business.
Firms want people who have been double vaccinated or have daily tests to be able to return to work.
Mr Kwarteng said that the government would publish guidance later on which sectors will be exempt, although he declined to comment on whether it would include the food industry.
Many of Thursday's newspapers carried pictures of empty shelves in some supermarket branches - with some describing panic buying of certain items - but industry sources told the BBC that so far food shortages were not a systemic problem.Many of Thursday's newspapers carried pictures of empty shelves in some supermarket branches - with some describing panic buying of certain items - but industry sources told the BBC that so far food shortages were not a systemic problem.
The Co-op said it was "running low on some products". It added: "Like many retailers, we are impacted by some patchy disruption to our deliveries and store operations but we are working closely with our suppliers to get re-stocked quickly." Iceland's managing director, Richard Walker, said photographs of empty shelves in supermarkets were "isolated incidents".
Whilst the Co-op said it was being impacted "by some patchy disruption to our deliveries and store operations,".
"We are working closely with our suppliers to get re-stocked quickly," it added.
Lidl said it was also seeing rising numbers of employees having to self-isolate. "Whilst this is starting to have an impact on our operations, our teams are working hard to minimise any disruption to customers," it said.
Who needs to self-isolate and who is exempt?Who needs to self-isolate and who is exempt?
What happens if I'm 'pinged' by the app?What happens if I'm 'pinged' by the app?
Iceland's Mr Walker told the BBC's Today programme: "There is certainly no problem with supply of stock and there's absolutely no need for people to panic buy.
"We certainly don't want to go back to the dark days of April 2020 because panic buying is only an option for those who can afford it and it often means that others go without."
But he said "the people who should be panicking are the government" because of the growing number of workers being "pinged" by the NHS app.
About 1,000 Iceland employees - almost 4% of its staff - are currently absent for Covid-related reasons, with the north of England most affected.About 1,000 Iceland employees - almost 4% of its staff - are currently absent for Covid-related reasons, with the north of England most affected.
Of these, 27% have tested positive for Covid, while 64% have been "pinged" by the NHS Covid App and told to isolate.Of these, 27% have tested positive for Covid, while 64% have been "pinged" by the NHS Covid App and told to isolate.
Iceland is recruiting 2,000 temporary staff to help with the shortages while the Co-op will take on 3,000 extra workers.Iceland is recruiting 2,000 temporary staff to help with the shortages while the Co-op will take on 3,000 extra workers.
The British Retail Consortium (BRC) said ministers needed to "act fast" and allow fully vaccinated retail workers or those who had tested negative for Covid to go to work. The British Retail Consortium (BRC) said the increasing number of workers being told to isolate was "putting increasing pressure on retailers' ability to maintain opening hours and keep shelves stocked".
Andrew Opie from the BRC said the increasing number of workers being told to isolate was "putting increasing pressure on retailers' ability to maintain opening hours and keep shelves stocked". A fall in the number of available HGV drivers, exacerbated by the rising numbers being forced to isolate, was also "resulting in minor disruption to some supply chains", the BRC's Andrew Opie said.
He called for retail staff and suppliers to be allowed to go to work if they were double vaccinated or tested negative for Covid.
A fall in the number of available HGV drivers, exacerbated by the rising numbers being forced to isolate, was also "resulting in minor disruption to some supply chains", Mr Opie said.
The Road Haulage Association estimates there is a shortage of 100,000 HGV drivers in the UK due to workers returning to Europe following Brexit as well as delays in testing hauliers for Covid.The Road Haulage Association estimates there is a shortage of 100,000 HGV drivers in the UK due to workers returning to Europe following Brexit as well as delays in testing hauliers for Covid.
Meanwhile, the British Meat Processor's Association said some members were seeing between 5% and 10% of their workforce "pinged" by the app.Meanwhile, the British Meat Processor's Association said some members were seeing between 5% and 10% of their workforce "pinged" by the app.
Under current self-isolation rules in England, anyone who is traced as a close contact of a confirmed positive case must isolate for 10 days, whether or not they have received both doses of a vaccine.Under current self-isolation rules in England, anyone who is traced as a close contact of a confirmed positive case must isolate for 10 days, whether or not they have received both doses of a vaccine.
If someone is told to isolate by NHS Test and Trace they are legally obliged to do so.If someone is told to isolate by NHS Test and Trace they are legally obliged to do so.
But if someone is "pinged" by the NHS Covid app the requirement to self-isolate is only advisory.But if someone is "pinged" by the NHS Covid app the requirement to self-isolate is only advisory.
Andrew Selley, chief executive of Bidfood UK, which supplies produce to hospitals, care home and prisons as well as restaurants, said it was asking workers who have been "pinged" to come back to work after they have taken a negative PCR test.Andrew Selley, chief executive of Bidfood UK, which supplies produce to hospitals, care home and prisons as well as restaurants, said it was asking workers who have been "pinged" to come back to work after they have taken a negative PCR test.
"We have a process of doing lateral flow tests daily away from their workplace and if that is negative then they can proceed with their work," Mr Selley said."We have a process of doing lateral flow tests daily away from their workplace and if that is negative then they can proceed with their work," Mr Selley said.
Backlash as pinged staff rules called unworkableBacklash as pinged staff rules called unworkable
'Pingdemic' threatens shop hours, say supermarkets'Pingdemic' threatens shop hours, say supermarkets
But Business Secretary Kwasi Kwarteng told the BBC: "The rules are clear and I think they should be followed." But Mr Kwarteng told the BBC: "The rules are clear and I think they should be followed."
Earlier this week, the government announced a "small number" of fully vaccinated critical workers, including health and care staff, would be allowed to continue to do their job even if they were a close contact of someone who had tested positive for Covid.Earlier this week, the government announced a "small number" of fully vaccinated critical workers, including health and care staff, would be allowed to continue to do their job even if they were a close contact of someone who had tested positive for Covid.
The prime minister has said he does not want to extend the exemption too widely in order to limit the spread of the virus.The prime minister has said he does not want to extend the exemption too widely in order to limit the spread of the virus.
The government has argued it is necessary to keep isolation rules largely unchanged until 16 August.The government has argued it is necessary to keep isolation rules largely unchanged until 16 August.
From that date, people who are fully vaccinated and under-18s will be able to avoid self-isolating by taking daily Covid tests.From that date, people who are fully vaccinated and under-18s will be able to avoid self-isolating by taking daily Covid tests.
However, Mr Kwarteng said that the government would now publish guidance on which sectors will be exempt, although he declined to comment on whether it would include the food industry.
Mr Selley said it was unclear how to apply to the government to get exemptions for Bidfood workers. "We are taking the view that our staff were critical workers during the first three lockdowns so we are critical workers - I can't see how [food] supply wouldn't be a critical part of the economy."
Mr Kwarteng said it was not a matter of companies applying to have their workers exempted from the rules but rather up to the government to provide a list of affected sectors.
Staff shortages due to isolation rules have impacted sectors including hospitality, transport and the NHS.
Dozens of councils across England have also been forced to suspend bin collections due to staff self-isolating.Dozens of councils across England have also been forced to suspend bin collections due to staff self-isolating.
On Wednesday, BP said lorry driver shortages and isolating staff had caused fuel supply issues at some of its petrol stations.On Wednesday, BP said lorry driver shortages and isolating staff had caused fuel supply issues at some of its petrol stations.
The oil firm said shortages of unleaded petrol and diesel had seen a "handful" of its UK sites close temporarily.The oil firm said shortages of unleaded petrol and diesel had seen a "handful" of its UK sites close temporarily.
Have you experienced shops struggling to keep their shelves stocked? Or do you work in a shop affected by staff absences? Get in touch.Have you experienced shops struggling to keep their shelves stocked? Or do you work in a shop affected by staff absences? Get in touch.
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