Popular supermarket giant Iceland has issued a grim message to its loyal customers as the chain faces an unprecedented staffing crisis.
Hundreds of staff are currently off work and at home self-isolating after being contacted through the coronavirus track and trace app.
With around 1,000 staff pinged, bosses have now had to shut some of its stores - despite keeping all of its stores open during lockdown,
The MEN reports how Iceland managing director Richard Walker said around 4 per cent of its workforce were currently absent because of Covid.
And the discount store is not alone, with other high street chains also warning of a potential staffing shortage.
Top brand M&S has also warned of potential staff shortages due to an increase in people being pinged by the track and trace app.
The boss of Marks and Spencer, Steve Rowe, said by mid-August as many as 1 in 5 supermarket workers could be in home isolation.
The number of test and trace app 'pings' is growing rapidly - with some branding it a 'pingdemic'.
“If there’s shortages we’ll have to manage it by changing hours of stores [and] reducing hours,” Rowe said.
The self isolation requirement will be abolished for contacts of positive cases for under 18s and for double vaccinated adults from August 16.
